Annika Frye is a German design researcher and design theorist. She is working in between theory and practice. Annika’s interests concern the aesthetic qualities of serial production, experimental processes and the design process as source of innovation. After finishing her PhD-thesis on improvisation at the University of Art and Design Offenbach she started researching the changes of design processes regarding the connection of digital technology and materiality.
Frye gave lectures and workshops at design schools and museums such as HbK Braunschweig and MAK Vienna, has worked as a teacher at HfG Offenbach and at HfK Bremen. Annika Frye is in the Advisory Board of the German society of design theory and research (DGTF). She is co-founder of the design office »teilchenbeschleuniger«, a collaborative platform for young designers and design professionals. Her projects have been exhibited in the New Museum in New York, during the Triennial in Milan, at Depot Basel and at Vitra Design Gallery, at the NAI in Rotterdam, at the MAK in Vienna and at the Design Museum Holon. Her work was published in FRAME Magazine, ELLE, form and in various design blogs. She was nominated twice for the German Design Award as well as receiving a honorable mention from the Raymond Loewy Foundation. From April 2021 to April 2023 she was also Professor at Design Academy Eindhoven.
Since April 2017, Annika Frye holds a professorship for design studies and design research at Muthesius University of Arts and Design Kiel. Her current project is about the interface as a quality of contemporary design as postdigital, hybrid space between digital and analogue.
NEWS
Let’s Get Sustainable: Art, Design and Architecture. Verlag für Moderne Kunst, May 2023. Edited with Christiane Kruse, Antje Majewski, Sandra Schramke.
Following our conference ‚Let’s get Sustainable‘ in Jan. 2022, we published a book on sustainable art, design and architecture. The design part of the book reflects on contemporary design practices of using and designing sustainable materials. My text ‚New Plastics in Design‘ is printed as a code in the book so it uses less paper – … continue Let’s Get Sustainable: Art, Design and Architecture. Verlag für Moderne Kunst, May 2023. Edited with Christiane Kruse, Antje Majewski, Sandra Schramke.
April – June 23: Who Designs Design? Mapping Design History in the Workshop, Workshop at Onomatopee Projects Eindhoven
How it works To view the models in AR, either scan the QR code with your phone. Then press the orange AR button. You can also scan the code on our pink cloud in the exhibition. You can zoom in and out and place the file in the space. What it is 3D sketches that … continue April – June 23: Who Designs Design? Mapping Design History in the Workshop, Workshop at Onomatopee Projects Eindhoven
June 2nd/3rd, 2022: DGTF Conference, Kiel
The annual conference of the German Society of Design Theory and Research took place in Kiel, Germany. With a team of DGTF Members Andrea Augsten and Christian Wölfel and with the support of numerous of students and friends, we organized a vibrating and successful event. For more information, have a look at the conference website … continue June 2nd/3rd, 2022: DGTF Conference, Kiel
May 18th, 2022: Grantler’s Corner – Design Research, Munich Creative Business Week
I took part in a discussion on Design Research and gave input on my perspective on the future of a P.h.D. in Design. On the format: The Grantler’s Corner 2022 continues the discourse on the role of design research in a multi-perspective manner. While last year’s event addressed the question of which academic structures are needed to … continue May 18th, 2022: Grantler’s Corner – Design Research, Munich Creative Business Week
May 11th, 2022: Designing Design
For my tenure track position at Muthesius Academy at the Arts, Kiel I did a lecture that was an overview of past and future projects. The method of thinking about things as a process or as parts of processes is the driving force behind my work. Thinking of design as a process runs through my … continue May 11th, 2022: Designing Design
March 17th/18th, 2022: Unfolding Spaces. Design Education, Identities and Metaverses. Research Festival at Design Academy Eindhoven
Together with Ian Biscoe I programmed a festival that for the first time took place at Design Academy Eindhoven this year in March. The festivals topic is connected to my research focus around the ‚Non School‘. The digital spaces and realities of our connected world are in constant flux. In the past 30 years, we … continue March 17th/18th, 2022: Unfolding Spaces. Design Education, Identities and Metaverses. Research Festival at Design Academy Eindhoven
Okt. 2021: Kunst an den Rändern, Hg. mit Christiane Kruse
Bilder werden nicht als Kunst geboren. Marcel Duchamp hatte mit seinen Readymades den Kunstbetrieb in eine Debatte über In- und Exklusion von Alltagsdingen in die ,Hochkunst‘ verstrickt. Seitdem kann man mit Arthur Danto vom „Ende der Kunst“ sprechen. Duchamps Kunst-Erweiterung führte zu einer explosionsartigen Vermehrung von Kunstgegenständen und -begriffen, die bis in die Gegenwart anhält. … continue Okt. 2021: Kunst an den Rändern, Hg. mit Christiane Kruse
May 11th, 2021: »On Gestaltung« – lecture at Matters of Activity Cluster and Berlin Weissensee
On Tuesday, May 11th, starts »On Gestaltung«, a new online lecture series initiated by the Cluster members Jörg Petruschat and Patricia Ribault at weißensee school of art and design berlin. This lecture series is conceived in two parts: »Theories«, which complements Jörg Petruschat’s seminar »Theories of Gestaltung«, and »Actions«, which is an extension of Ben Lignel’s seminar »Performing Research: Being … continue May 11th, 2021: »On Gestaltung« – lecture at Matters of Activity Cluster and Berlin Weissensee
July 23, 2022: Publication in: The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy and Improvisation in the Arts
I contributed an article to the ‚Routledge Handbook of Philosophy and Improvisation in the Arts‘ with the Title ‚Improvisation in Design Processes‘. 1st EditionThe Routledge Handbook of Philosophy and Improvisation in the ArtsEdited By Alessandro Bertinetto, Marcello Ruta Edited By Alessandro Bertinetto, Marcello Ruta ISBN 9780367203641Published July 23, 2021 by Routledge756 Pages 44 B/W Illustrations
Annika Frye in den Vorstand der deutschen Gesellschaft für Designtheorie und -forschung (DGTF) gewählt
Bei der Mitgliederversammlung am 8. Mai 2021 wurden fünf neue Mitglieder in den Vorstand der deutschen Gesellschaft für Designtheorie und -forschung gewählt. Begrüßt werden neben Annika Frye, Andrea Augsten, Michaela Büsse, Markus Köck und Christian Wölfel.
Statement in Deutschlandfunk Kultur zu Online-Lehre
„Annika Frye, Professorin für Designwissenschaft, ist der Auffassung, dass in der Freude über die aufrechterhaltene Minimalkommunikation das Medium dieser Kommunikation oft übersehen wird – der Bildschirm. Und der ist kompliziert. Prinzipiell sind durch ihn eine Vielzahl an visuellen Erfahrungen möglich. Zusammenarbeit in virtuellen Räumen, Rollenspiele, geteilte Schreibprozesse.“ DLF Kutltur Link zum gesamten Statement und Beitrag … continue Statement in Deutschlandfunk Kultur zu Online-Lehre
Biomüll als nachhaltiger Plastikersatz – Beitrag von t-online
t-online Berichtet über das Projekt Hybrid Materials Link zum gesamten Beitrag vom 12.07.2021
Konferenzbeiträge: Ästhetik und Erkenntnis, 13. – 15.07.2021, Kongress
13. bis 15. Juli 2021XI. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ästhetik Teilnahme am XI. Kongress der deutschen Gesellschaft für Ästhetik im Panel zu Improvisation in den Künsten sowie Gestaltung eines Panels zum Thema Performativität des Netzwerks (mit Ole Kliemann, Marie-France Rafael und Rebekka Kiesewetter) Improvisation: In den vergangenen Jahrzehnten wurde der Begriff „Improvisation“ nicht nur … continue Konferenzbeiträge: Ästhetik und Erkenntnis, 13. – 15.07.2021, Kongress
Applied design research Project: Hybrid Materials, with Anna Ulmer
Packaging made from alternative materials. The company Schierbecker.org from Felde near Kiel specializes in the processing and trading of renewable raw materials. Together with Professor Annika Frye they want to show that innovative packaging can be made from raspberry seeds and other industrial waste in a pilot project. The project aims to replace microplastics, which … continue Applied design research Project: Hybrid Materials, with Anna Ulmer
Non School, Professorship at Design Academy Eindhoven
Professorship at Design Academy Eindhoven, starting in spring 2021. https://designacademy.nl/p/about-dae/community/dr-annika-frye What if design education was open, accessible and participatory? Overturning traditional concepts of the ‘design school’ and questions how design education is designed, Dr Frye will experiment with new practices of networking, communication and digital learning spaces to challenge the idea of the school as … continue Non School, Professorship at Design Academy Eindhoven
Home Office
I created a virtual tour through my home office that students of Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design saw on their screens in SS. 20. The tour contains links to learning materials, essays and projects I am working on at Muthesius. https://poly.google.com/u/0/view/0bXTnPGJdu5
Digital Seminars at Muthesius
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, all seminars at Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design are held digitally via Videochat. This semester my seminars focus around sustainability and ecology as well as improvisation in design.
November 5th, 2019: Artificial Intelligence: Design, Creativity and Technology. Lecture at Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
Talk at the Forum ‚Sustainable Development for our Future Society‘ at Hubei University of Technology (Wuhan, China), School of Industrial Design, November 4th – 5th 2019. The lecture is an overview of philosophical discussions from the age of cybernetics, and the question of creativity. It puts this in relation to contemporary paradigms of design. It is using examples … continue November 5th, 2019: Artificial Intelligence: Design, Creativity and Technology. Lecture at Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, China
Oct. 10., 2019: German Design Graduates
In 2019 Bachelor, Master and Diploma graduates from 12 of the best german design schools in the field of product and industrial design, as well as interface graduates with a link to physical objects were invited to submit their Degree Work by 10.06.2019 online on the German Design Graduates Website. I have been asked to … continue Oct. 10., 2019: German Design Graduates
SEPT. 25.-28., 2019 Summer at Muthesius, workshop on bricolage and new materiality with CAU-Nanomaterials dept.
The September Academy at Muthesius is a transfer format for qualification and further training. Experts from the Muthesius Kunsthochschule and its surroundings, but also from other work contexts and cultures are invited to work with participants, to open up new thought-spaces. It also aims to show how creative skills and methods from art and design … continue SEPT. 25.-28., 2019 Summer at Muthesius, workshop on bricolage and new materiality with CAU-Nanomaterials dept.
Sept. 13.-14., 2019: SIDeR 19 and ‚Hybridity is the Contemporary Paradigm of Design‘ – short intro for SIDeR.
My colleague Frank Jacob asked me to be program chair of this years’s SIDeR conference. It is a conference format organized by students. SIDeR takes place for the first time in Germany since its inception. After the Delft University of Technology and the Aalto University in Helsinki, the Muthesius Kunsthochschule will now host the international … continue Sept. 13.-14., 2019: SIDeR 19 and ‚Hybridity is the Contemporary Paradigm of Design‘ – short intro for SIDeR.
May 2019: L’Observatoire Magazine
In April I met design journalist Alice Lahana to talk about design, theory and interface at »Museum der Dinge« in Berlin. The interview (in French) is now online at L’Observatoire magazine: https://www.lobservatoire.co/annika-frye/
Jan. 24.–26., 2019: Kunst an den Rändern, Symposium, Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel
Gemeinsam mit Christiane Kruse und Ilena Pascalau sowie Melanie Reichert. Grafikdesign: Hagen Verleger. Organisation: Maike Schulken. »Everything is an artwork«, mit dieser Feststellung, die Arthur C. Danto Andy Warhol in den Mund schob, trat die Kunst im 20. Jahrhundert in ihre bis dato kreativste Phase und betrieb zugleich die Negierung von Kunstbegriffen wie Stilen, das … continue Jan. 24.–26., 2019: Kunst an den Rändern, Symposium, Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel
18. – 25 Nov. 2018: Lecture and workshop at Hubei Technical University, Wuhan
In my contribution to the conference, I presented material I have been collecting in the Braun Archive and in the Open Design scene since 2015. The material forms the base of my current project on postdigital design and materiality.
Oct. 31., 2018: Everything is pussyble
In october I took part in an ongoing dialogue series on female success stories and ’successful biographies‘, using positive examples and in an open discussion. The Equality Commission and the AStA of the Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts organized a series of talks moderated by students in the winter semester 2018/19: Dialogues between professors of … continue Oct. 31., 2018: Everything is pussyble
Oct. 2018: Interaktives Skizzieren, Prototyping und Interaktion im Entwurfsprozess
Im Zuge meiner Beschäftigung mit Interfaces erschien im Oktober 2018 mein Text »Interaktives Skizzieren, Prototyping und Interaktion im Entwurfsprozess« in dem von Jochen Denzinger herausgegebenen Buch »Das Design digitaler Produkte. Entwicklungen, Anwendungen, Perspektiven« (Birkhäuser-Verlag). Hier argumentiere ich, dass zeitgenössisches Entwerfen neue Formen der Interaktion hervorbringt, in der Analoges und Digitales sich zu einer neuen, hybriden … continue Oct. 2018: Interaktives Skizzieren, Prototyping und Interaktion im Entwurfsprozess
Sept. 2018 – Nov. 2018: Design Patterns at 4th Istanbul Design Biennial
The VR Installation »Design Patterns« I developed in the context of the Project »Muthesius Parallax« with Matylda Krzykowski and the Students of the Muthesius Industrial Design Department in Kiel is shown at the 4th Istanbul Design Biennial. Furthermore, we showed a screen Video of our Website as well as our Printed interface. The Biennial »A … continue Sept. 2018 – Nov. 2018: Design Patterns at 4th Istanbul Design Biennial
July 2018: Muthesius Parallax Catalogue
We made a catalogue for the exhibition project Muthesius Parallax. The exhibition was curated by Matylda Krzykowski and initiated with me. Has design education been reduced to creating interfaces – ways for independent systems to interact? A video and book document the industrial design students and tutors at the Muthesius academy deconstructing and reassembling contemporary … continue July 2018: Muthesius Parallax Catalogue
DESIGN PATTERNS
A VR-installation in which design patterns sourced from a generative design process form a landscape. Project for Muthesius Parallax, an exhibition format initiated with Matylda Krzykowski. Photography: Jan-Simon Weidner. Visitors can »walk through« the installation by using one of the controllers. They jump to a point in space which is marked by a green wireframe … continue DESIGN PATTERNS
April – July 2018: Tools
Teaching project with the 2nd Semester Industrial Design at Muthesius Academy of the Arts, Kiel. Starting with 5 different archetypical tools (a sponge, a screw clamp, scissors, a bevel)we developed a row of artifacts that are a reinterpretation of the material, function or use of the original objects. During the process, we did a prototyping … continue April – July 2018: Tools
Designart: DGAE-Kongressakte – PDF
Der Kulturwissenschaftler Andreas Reckwitz diagnostiziert in seinem aktuellsten Buch – »Die Gesellschaft der Singularitäten« – einen Paradigmenwechsel in der gegenwärtigen Kulturproduktion. Die Gesellschaft der Gegenwart ziele nicht mehr, wie noch in der klassischen Moderne, auf das Allgemeine, sondern auf das Besondere. Statt eines massenproduzierten Sofas würden wir lieber ein Vintage-Fundstück in unserem Wohnzimmer platzieren, lieber … continue Designart: DGAE-Kongressakte – PDF
May 25th, 2018: Neue Materialität? Design und das Postdigitale, Kunsthochschule Kassel
24.05.2018 19:00 UHR Neue Materialität? Design und das Postdigitale Mit dem Buzzword »Postdigitalität« werden in den letzten Jahren vor allem Arbeiten der bildenden Kunst adressiert. Arbeiten der sogenannten Post Internet Art sind gekennzeichnet von einer neuen Hinwendung zur Materialität vor dem Hintergrund digitaler Medien, insbesondere digitaler Bilder. Dabei ist das Phänomen des Postdigitalen, wie es … continue May 25th, 2018: Neue Materialität? Design und das Postdigitale, Kunsthochschule Kassel
Feb. 16th – may 20th, 2018: ¡VIVA LA DIFERENCIA!, Madrid
I was invited by spanish curator and writer Ana Dominguez to participate in the exhibition ¡VIVA LA DIFERENCIA! featuring different positions regarding the topic of singularity in design.
Feb. 16th., 2018: Designart, Vortrag bei der DGAE-Tagung Offenbach.
Vortrag bei der Tagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ästhetik (»Das ist Ästhetik!«) an der Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach, 14. – 17. 02. 2018, Panel »Kunst und Design«, Freitag, 16. Feb. Mein Beitrag wird mit Blick auf die »Grenzen des Ästhetischen« ein Nischenphänomen des zeitgenössischen Designs, und zwar die sogenannte »Designart« vor dem Hintergrund aktueller Debatten um das Verhältnis von Design … continue Feb. 16th., 2018: Designart, Vortrag bei der DGAE-Tagung Offenbach.
Feb. 8th, 2018: Grassi Museum Leipzig, Vortrag
Gegen die Gestalterische Postmoderne? Jasper Morrisons Designauffassung des »Supernormalen«. Vortrag im Rahmen der Jasper Morrison-Ausstellung »Thingness« im Grassi-Museum in Leipzig, auf Einladung von Caroline Harms. Die Entwürfe Jasper Morrisons gelten gemeinhin als Teil einer in den späten 1980er Jahren sich formierenden Hinwendung zum Minimalismus und darin als Abwendung von einer postmodernen Gestaltung, die wegen ihrer lauten, … continue Feb. 8th, 2018: Grassi Museum Leipzig, Vortrag
Jan. 19th, 2018: Makerkulturen, Vortrag an der Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel.
Vortrag beim Symposium »Ästhetik des Konsums –Ambivalenz der Verführung« an der Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel, 18. – 20. Jan. 2018 auf Einladung von Prof. Dr. Norbert Schmitz. Die Makerkultur hat sich als eine Art ›digitales DoItYourself‹ unter den Vorzeichen konsumkritischer Überlegungen aus der gestalterischen Postmoderne und als Gegenbewegung zu einer globalisierten Massenproduktion formiert. Sie kreist, unabhängig von … continue Jan. 19th, 2018: Makerkulturen, Vortrag an der Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel.
Nov. 30th, 2017: Bring a Book, Zurich
On 30th of November 2017 Gallery BolteLang is hosting the event »Bring a Book« as part of the happening »Sprechzimmer«. Matylda Krzykowski invited me to bring my book Design und Improvisation. Tickets can be purchased via the gallery BolteLang.
Dec. 19th, 2017 – 19.30: Prozesshaftigkeit von Gestaltung. Antrittsvorlesung, Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel
Das Format der Antrittsvorlesung an der Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel soll mir dazu dienen, meine Position im zeitgenössischen Designdiskurs darzustellen. Als Industriedesignerin und Designwissenschaftlerin betrachte ich Design ausgehend von den Ideen und Paradigmen der Designtheorie, aber auch ausgehend von meiner eigenen Praxis. Es kommt mir dabei auf die Perspektive an, Designprodukte nicht ausschließlich als abgeschlossene historische … continue Dec. 19th, 2017 – 19.30: Prozesshaftigkeit von Gestaltung. Antrittsvorlesung, Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel
Nov. 1st–Nov. 29th, 2017: Postdigital Materiality. Lecture Series at Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel
The lecture Series Postdigital Materiality is discussing design that is merging digital and analogue from different perspectives. Since the development of early CAD applications such as sketchpad in the 1960s, digital and analogue design seemed to be strictly separated. Cognitive processes of planning and drawing were located in the studio and limited to the computer … continue Nov. 1st–Nov. 29th, 2017: Postdigital Materiality. Lecture Series at Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel
SEPT. 3rd, 2017 CLAUDE LIGHTS AT TATCRAFT
Lamp production is on! Next weekend, on September 3rd, I will be selling my Claude Lights at the Tatcraft Yard Sale from 11.00–17.00, Gwinnerstraße 42. Tatcraft is the new Makerspace in Frankfurt. https://tatcraft.squarespace.com/tatcraft-yard-sale/
Aug. 11th – Sept. 2nd, 2017: BUTTERFLY PROJECT, EXHIBITION
Eine Weiterentwicklung meines Tapehockers wird beim »Butterfly Project« gezeigt. Das Butterfly Project ist ein Format, das während der documenta 14 in den Räumen der Kunsthochschule Kassel startet. Es wurde konzipiert, um Hocker-Entwürfe von Designpersönlichkeiten zu versammeln, die aktuell an der Kunsthochschule Kassel lehren, studieren oder dies in der Vergangenheit taten. Die Hockerideen werden wie ein … continue Aug. 11th – Sept. 2nd, 2017: BUTTERFLY PROJECT, EXHIBITION
May 25th – Oct. 29th, 2017: Faraway, so close. 25th Biennial of Design, Ljubljana, Slovenia
The BIO 25 design biennial in Slovenia understands itself as an experimental lab connecting designers and local context. As part of the occupying woods group led by Matali Crasset, I devoloped an experimental setting to investigate the formal quality of the forest by 3d-scanning leftovers and materials. The scans were then 3d-printed. They are are … continue May 25th – Oct. 29th, 2017: Faraway, so close. 25th Biennial of Design, Ljubljana, Slovenia
May 25th- May 29th, 2017: Dundee Design Festival
The improvisation machine objects, my pre-mould lamps and my woven table were exhibited at Dundee Design festival in a former printing factory.
May 18th–20th, 2017: Symposium: How we do research?
At Muthesius University of Arts and Design different formats of doing a PhD or a Dr. phil are being discussed. In my presentation, I will focus on the process of connecting theory and practice. Art and design, like other classical scientifc disciplines, pose specific questions and explore them using their own instruments and techniques. They … continue May 18th–20th, 2017: Symposium: How we do research?
April 2017: Muthesius Kunsthochschule Kiel
Since April 1st, 2017 I am working as Professor of Design Science and Design Research at Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design.
IMPROVISATION UND DIGITALE PRODUKTION / WORKSHOP FÜR SPONTANE MATERIALISIERUNG AN DER KUNSTHOCHSCHULE KASSEL
Der Begriff der Improvisation changiert von jeher zwischen vollkommener Freiheit (in den Künsten) und provisorischer Notlösungsaktivität (im Alltag). Im Design hat Improvisation jedoch eine eigene Bedeutung. Hier erweist sie sich als grundlegende Fertigkeit des Entwerfens. Sie dient dazu, Modelle zu bauen, Prototypen zu realisieren und dabei zugleich den Entwurfsprozess voranzutreiben. Im Verlauf der Konkretisierung eines … continue IMPROVISATION UND DIGITALE PRODUKTION / WORKSHOP FÜR SPONTANE MATERIALISIERUNG AN DER KUNSTHOCHSCHULE KASSEL