Vision
Yet rather than feeling freed by this efficiency, we often experience the opposite [5]. Time saved is quickly filled with additional tasks, notifications, and expectations, reinforcing a cycle of busyness rather than alleviating it. In this context, productivity becomes less a tool and more an obligation, where the promise of doing more in less time is endlessly pursued, even at the expense of our attention and well-being. As more aspects of daily life are automated, engagement and presence are diminished, and the experiences that could otherwise enrich the monotony of daily life risk merely being reduced to tasks to be completed. In turn, our ability to meaningfully engage with the world around us is gradually lost [1].
Instead of accelerating our lives to keep up with this constant demand, there is an opportunity for design to help move us in the opposite direction and slow down [4]. This perspective aligns with ideas of slow technology [3], which emphasize reflection and meaningful engagement over speed and optimization. It seeks to view technology from a human perspective, because unlike computers and machines, human experience is not defined by efficiency and precision, but rather by presence and perception. By approaching technology from a human perspective, it acknowledges that, unlike computers and machines, human experience is not defined by efficiency and precision, but by presence and perception.
By designing technology with these qualities rather than prioritizing performance alone, it can enhance experience, bring attention instead of taking it, and support autonomy rather than reliance. Additionally, such an approach seeks to reinforce individuality, curiosity, and surprise that is otherwise lost in the monotony of daily life. This is not a call to reject technological progress or return to a less advanced past, but an invitation to engage with technology more intentionally, creating balance instead of becoming caught in an endless pursuit of efficiency. In this context, my idea of slowness refers less to the speed of which we do things, and more to how intentionally and autonomously we engage with everyday life.
Professional identity
As an imaginative product designer, I strive to design products that do not replace human engagement but instead reinforce it. While inspired by a critical design method that questions our relationship with the digital world, my design approach is rooted in an optimistic fascination with technology rather than pessimism and disdain. My goal is not only to highlight issues of how we interact with technology, but more importantly, to offer alternative ways of engaging with it that are more thoughtful and intentional. These are rarely big, revolutionary ideas, but often more modest interventions: products that offer novel solutions to overlooked obstacles, a unique experience to an otherwise mundane situation, or ideally, a combination of both.
While my process often begins with a clear vision and concept, my approach to making is led by curiosity and exploration. Through rapid yet deliberate prototyping and by drawing on my experience in CAD modelling, 3D printing, and a growing proficiency in working with electronic components, I can iterate quickly from improvised prototypes to functional designs. With experience prototyping [1], an early focus on function and use allows me to experience my concepts firsthand, informing the aesthetic expression as the project develops into a finished product with attention to detail in both form and function.
This attention to detail is both a strength and a challenge. My tendency to work independently allows for deep immersion in every aspect of a project, but it can also take too much focus. I have learned that taking a step back and consulting others for assistance or perspective can often strengthen my ideas and help me progress with more clarity. Embracing this balance between focused making and shared reflection continues to shape both my process and my growth as a designer.