Hi, I am Franzi

I design and research

experiences , products, services,

materials and more …

for the human and the planet.

Materialism of Things / manifesto

Materialism of Things (MoT) is an ongoing research project and my philosophy and manifesto to design – exploring and describing a new approach where any simple and renewable material can be smart and dynamically responding to its environment depending on how we understand, design and interact with it.

The philosophy and approach of MoT is introduced, explained and evaluated on the example of paper: Paper Gestures introduces and exemplifies the principles of the ongoing research project and theory MoT. It is a series of three responsive paper interfaces that react to and intra-act with human behaviour and their direct environment, transforming the ancient, previously passive and low-tech material into a dynamic, active and responding medium.

Visit materialismofthings.com for more information.

Master project in Design through New Materials

ELISAVA School of Design and Engineering

Barcelona, Spain

2020 – ongoing

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Smart Running Jacket / adidas

Pocket Power / rapid prototyping

Pocket Power is a concept and prototype developed in collaboration with Franklin Studio and Iria Fernandez that shows a vision for the future application of topological materials that can harvest energy from small temperature differences. The ideas are brought to life with a smart textile prototype that is placed in various use cases in our daily lives: Pocket Power is equipped with such a "smart" topological material and converts temperature changes into energy that can either be used directly or stored in a battery.

Pocket Power can be used as a torch, bike light or charge smartphones and other devices through the USB slit.

ELISAVA School of Design and Engineering

Barcelona, Spain

2020

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Chai Paper / material design

Chai Paper/ material design

Chai paper is a 100% plant based and biodegradable material designed out of waste-streams as an alternative to conventional gift wrapping papers. It is made out of tea herb waste and hemp fibres mixed with Agar Agar, Glycerine and water. As hemp is able to capture Co2 it neutralizes the carbon impact and is non-toxic as the colour and texture of the material naturally come from the herbs and no additional chemical colours are needed.

Chai paper can be used for sustainable confetti, gift or flower wrapping paper, scrapbook or letter paper, envelopes or drink coasters. Developed in collaboraton with material designer, Iria Fernandez.

ELISAVA School of Design and Engineering

Barcelona, Spain

2020

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unFold–inMotion / installation

unFold–inMotion / installation

The installation was designed for the Designtransfer showcase »transmediale 2018« Berlin. As part of the Interaction Design & New Media class, UdK we explore the topic of materials and folding as an interface. I was honored to be chosen to create a representative object for the display case at the entrance of the exhibition »Fold/Unfold«.

The project explores a »Ron Resch Tessellation fold« with motion. Nitinol springs, which change their shape through heat, bring the plane surface that is tiled in geometric shapes to life. Their contraction joined with the folding structure results in a breathing almost lively object. The instatalltion aims to show the potential of the activation of intelligent materials for interface and space design. Imagine if our environment can become dynamic spaces and thereby threedimensional responsive interface for communication.

transmediale 2018

Berlin, Germany

2018

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Dielectric Elastomers / smart materials

Dielectric Elastomers / smart materials

»Smart Materials« are materials that feature the quality to react and change their form and condition under certain environmental influences such as voltage, mechanical force, or temperature.

In a group of students, we explored the behaviour and potential of »Dielectric Elastomers« (Smart Materials) and built functioning interactive prototypes. What if smart materials inform the design of new products and help improve the human experience of technology?

University of the Arts Berlin

Berlin, Germany

2017

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SoleMate / interaction design

SoleMate / interaction design

Sole Mate is a concept for an intelligent insole, providing haptic feedback. Its aim is to optimize the rehabilitation process.

Keeping a balance of both rest and exercise is key for a fast and effective rehabilitation. Given that we are all different, how should one know how much exercise and rest is good ones body? Research showed that existing feedback devices and insoles which encrypt their feedback and digital signals are limited. What is missing and needed, is instant haptic feedback, which is directly connected with the patient.

Visit this website for more information:
SoleMate

Reha Zentrum Lübben/ Fraunhofer CeRRi

Berlin, Germany

2016

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Ar·ti·fi·cial In·tel·li·gence, noun. / ai

Ar·ti·fi·cial In·tel·li·gence, noun. / ai

A terms definition does not simply explain what it is, but rather defines its purpose or meaning. As of yet, there is no valid definition of the term Artificial Intelligence. There is no common consensus, the words meaning remains disputed. Maybe not we are the writers of this specific definition. Maybe Artificial Intelligence must define itself. Maybe »Ar·ti·fi·cial In·tel·li·gence, noun.« will define itself.

Existing definitions—found in encyclopediae, technical research papers, and Wikipedia—are used to train a Recurrent Neural Network. These learned definitions serve as vocabulary and syntax. This process of self-reflection can be seen as the difference between Artificial Intelligence and smart objects, and might finally help to answer the question on what Artificial Intelligence is.

University of the Arts Berlin

Berlin, Germany

2017

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Daylight Apparatus / data machine

Daylight Apparatus / data machine

The Daylight Documentation Apparatus records sunlight and its intensity. It visualizes both in circles with varying line width. One circle represents a set time frame between 1 minute and 12 hours.

While the machine is drawing the circle, a graphite pen is rotated between 0° and 90°, depending on the surrounding light intensity. Thus the appearance of the line changes. With more light, the line becomes thinner. With less light, the line becomes thicker.

University of the Arts Berlin

Berlin, Germany

2016

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Klangwellen / installation

Klangwellen / installation

The installation displays the shift from aural to visual sensation. Computer-based sine waves are sent through waterproof speakers placed in water. There is an interactive control board which allows regulation of amplitude and frequency. The interplay of these parameters creates diverse interference patterns as a result.

This project was supported by:

Lorenz Raab and Andreas Schmelas

University of the Arts Berlin

Berlin, Germany

2015

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