Lilo Viehweg is a researcher, curator and educator with a background in industrial design and cultural studies. Her work focuses on transcultural design and technology histories with an emphasis on materials research, nature/culture debates and collaborative processes. In current fields of transformation research, she is involved in establishing infrastructures between cultural institutions, academia and the public. In doing so, she pursues participatory, democracy-promoting and network-building approaches.
Lilo is currently a researcher at the Zurich University of the Arts where she explores discoursive intersections between design and museology. Furthermore, she is a PhD candidate in the Make/Sense programme at HGK Basel / Critical Media Lab and University of Arts Linz / Crafting Futures Lab in cooperation with the department of Cultural Studies at the Humboldt University Berlin. In her PhD research she investigates the history of an electronic sensor between material science, craft and mountain ecologies.
From 2016 to 2022 Lilo was a curator and researcher at the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation (DE). In 2019 she was affiliated as a researcher with the Weizenbaum Institute Berlin (DE). In 2025, she carried out research in collaboration with the Estonian Academy of Arts (EE) as part of the ‘Schools of Departure’ project (Bauhaus Dessau Foundation). She gave workshops at, for example, the National Archaeology Museum Matera (IT) with the Critical Zones Study Group / ZKM Karlsruhe, at the Crafting Futures Lab (AT), at the Banská St A Nica gallery (SK), at the Dresden State Art Collections (DE), at the Chiba University Japan (JP), and at the Institute of Physics / Humboldt University Berlin with Kleine Humboldt Galerie (DE). Her works were exhibited at Ars Electronica Linz (AT), MAK Vienna (AT), the Slovak Design Center (SK), the Design Week Beirut (LB), the Material Archiv Switzerland (CH), and the Werkbundarchiv - Museum of Things (DE) in Berlin amongst others.
Since 2014 Lilo teaches in various Design and Architecture related fields. She was a visiting lecturer at, for example, the Weißensee Academy of Arts Berlin (DE), the University of the Arts Kassel (DE), HEAD Geneva (CH), and the Lycée La Matinière de Diderot Lyon (FR). From 2019 to 2022 she was a lecturer at the MSc. COOP Design Research, a joint program between the University of Applied Sciences Anhalt, the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation and the Cluster of Excellence “Matters of Activity” at the Humboldt University Berlin (DE). From 2022-2025 she was part of the accreditation team as well as a program coordinator, teaching associate and mentor in the newly founded MA program Transversal Design at the Academy of Art and Design Basel (CH). Since 2024 Lilo is a lecturer in Design Theory and Discourse in the Department of Design at the Zurich University of the Arts (CH) where she co-developed curricula for the MA Industrial Design / Theory and Discours moduls as well as for the Design Studies Minor Program Global Design.
WRITINGS
Triin Jerlei, Lilo Viehweg “Craft in the periphery. Navigating disobedience in Estonian design education.” In: Bittner, Klaus, Sack (eds.) Crafting Knowledge. Schools of Departure. Journal #5, 2026
“A Mountain of Words Unspoken”, In: Kolb, L; Pritchard, H. Kleesattel, I.; Bruder, J.; McGlotton, S., Imagination as A Site of Struggle, Brand-New-Life Magazine, Journal for Artistic Research, Basel 2025
“Making Design Research Awkward, Yet Partially Connected” In: Neuwerk Magazin für Designwissenschaft, Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, 2025
“Untouched Design Histories of a Crystalline Modernity”, Leida Journal, Faculty of Design, Estonian Academy of Arts, Dec 2024
“Forms of Togetherness” [2020] In: William Skeaping, Vlasta Kubušová (eds.), Togetherness. Contributions by De:posium attendees and colleagues. self-published with support of Goethe Institute Slovakia, soft launch print in summer 2024
“This is…An Introduction to many Introductions to Crystals of Power” first edition, self-published artist book with support of Institute Design und Technik, University of the Arts Linz AT, 2024
“Cutting, Grinding, Dissolving, Growing Borders in the Assembly Line of Knowledge Production”, Conference Paper and Book of Abstracts, Border Control - Design History Society Conference, University for the Creative Arts Canterbury UK 2024
“Modes of Collectivity in Materials Research” in: Augsten, Frye, Wölfel, Köck (Eds.) Design × Nachhaltigkeit : Materialität / Systeme / Gerechtigkeit, Conference Paper and Book of Abstracts, DGTF anual conference, Muthesius-University of the Arts Kiel, Technische Universität Dresden DE, 2022
“What is Civic Furniture? - All Sitting is Compromise”, What is Civic? Website, Academy of Art and Design Basel CH, 2022
“Cal Arts” and “Škola umeleckých remesiel (ŠUR)” In: Bittner, Klaus, Sack (eds.) “Schools of Departure”, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Neustart Kultur DE 2022
“Data Transfer - Die Vermittlung situierter Materialgeschichten des Digitalen“ In: Karin Kruppa (ed.), “Handmade Tales - Diversity Art Life“, Academy of Fine Arts (HfBK) Dresden DE, 2021
“The Chiba Care Protocol“ co-author with Paul A. Rodgers, Craig Bremner, Giovanni Innella, Mark Bradford, Hui Tse Gan, Jaime Garcia, Delfina Fantini van Ditmar and others “Design Research for Change“, Lancaster University UK, 2021
“Communication, cooperation, sharing, participation, DIY and responsible design” Dialogue with Valentýna Landa Filípková for Concious Design Platform CZ, 2021
“Material als Experiment - Transdisziplinäre Vermittlungsforschung durch die Methoden des Designs“ co-author with Julia Wolf, in: Vogelsang, Foraita, Herlo (eds.): Matters of Communication – Formen und Materialitäten gestalteter Kommunikation. Bielefeld: Transcript Verlag, 2020
“De/posium Design Platform” co-author together with Vlasta Kubušová and Seetal Solanki In: Mária Rišková, Christoph Thun-Herrenstein (eds.) “Human by Design” Exhibition Catalogue, MAK Vienna and Slovak Design Center, 2020
“Localities and Materialities of Care“ co-author with Hui Tse Gan. In: Paul A. Rodgers, Craig Bremner, Giovanni Innella (eds.), Does Design Care?, Lancaster University, 2019
“D for Dominance“ In: Paul A. Rodgers, Craig Bremner, Giovanni Innella (eds.) An Illustrated A to Z for the Design of Care. Lancaster University, 2019
Kompendium “smart materials satellites“ with Julia Wolf, Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau, Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin, in cooperation with Technische Sammlungen Dresden, SYN Stiftung Halle. Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, 2019
“What is Meant Here by Smart” Eidener, F.; Viehweg, L.; Winkler, C.; Kunze, H. In: Bauhaus No. 9 Substance, Spector 2017
Triin Jerlei, Lilo Viehweg “Craft in the periphery. Navigating disobedience in Estonian design education.” In: Bittner, Klaus, Sack (eds.) Crafting Knowledge. Schools of Departure. Journal #5, 2026
“A Mountain of Words Unspoken”, In: Kolb, L; Pritchard, H. Kleesattel, I.; Bruder, J.; McGlotton, S., Imagination as A Site of Struggle, Brand-New-Life Magazine, Journal for Artistic Research, Basel 2025
“Making Design Research Awkward, Yet Partially Connected” In: Neuwerk Magazin für Designwissenschaft, Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, 2025
“Untouched Design Histories of a Crystalline Modernity”, Leida Journal, Faculty of Design, Estonian Academy of Arts, Dec 2024
“Forms of Togetherness” [2020] In: William Skeaping, Vlasta Kubušová (eds.), Togetherness. Contributions by De:posium attendees and colleagues. self-published with support of Goethe Institute Slovakia, soft launch print in summer 2024
“This is…An Introduction to many Introductions to Crystals of Power” first edition, self-published artist book with support of Institute Design und Technik, University of the Arts Linz AT, 2024
“Cutting, Grinding, Dissolving, Growing Borders in the Assembly Line of Knowledge Production”, Conference Paper and Book of Abstracts, Border Control - Design History Society Conference, University for the Creative Arts Canterbury UK 2024
“Modes of Collectivity in Materials Research” in: Augsten, Frye, Wölfel, Köck (Eds.) Design × Nachhaltigkeit : Materialität / Systeme / Gerechtigkeit, Conference Paper and Book of Abstracts, DGTF anual conference, Muthesius-University of the Arts Kiel, Technische Universität Dresden DE, 2022
“What is Civic Furniture? - All Sitting is Compromise”, What is Civic? Website, Academy of Art and Design Basel CH, 2022
“Cal Arts” and “Škola umeleckých remesiel (ŠUR)” In: Bittner, Klaus, Sack (eds.) “Schools of Departure”, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, Kulturstiftung des Bundes, Neustart Kultur DE 2022
“Data Transfer - Die Vermittlung situierter Materialgeschichten des Digitalen“ In: Karin Kruppa (ed.), “Handmade Tales - Diversity Art Life“, Academy of Fine Arts (HfBK) Dresden DE, 2021
“The Chiba Care Protocol“ co-author with Paul A. Rodgers, Craig Bremner, Giovanni Innella, Mark Bradford, Hui Tse Gan, Jaime Garcia, Delfina Fantini van Ditmar and others “Design Research for Change“, Lancaster University UK, 2021
“Communication, cooperation, sharing, participation, DIY and responsible design” Dialogue with Valentýna Landa Filípková for Concious Design Platform CZ, 2021
“Material als Experiment - Transdisziplinäre Vermittlungsforschung durch die Methoden des Designs“ co-author with Julia Wolf, in: Vogelsang, Foraita, Herlo (eds.): Matters of Communication – Formen und Materialitäten gestalteter Kommunikation. Bielefeld: Transcript Verlag, 2020
“De/posium Design Platform” co-author together with Vlasta Kubušová and Seetal Solanki In: Mária Rišková, Christoph Thun-Herrenstein (eds.) “Human by Design” Exhibition Catalogue, MAK Vienna and Slovak Design Center, 2020
“Localities and Materialities of Care“ co-author with Hui Tse Gan. In: Paul A. Rodgers, Craig Bremner, Giovanni Innella (eds.), Does Design Care?, Lancaster University, 2019
“D for Dominance“ In: Paul A. Rodgers, Craig Bremner, Giovanni Innella (eds.) An Illustrated A to Z for the Design of Care. Lancaster University, 2019
Kompendium “smart materials satellites“ with Julia Wolf, Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau, Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin, in cooperation with Technische Sammlungen Dresden, SYN Stiftung Halle. Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, 2019
| “Material als Experiment. Das Ausstellungsprojekt ‘Material als Experiment’ – ein disziplinübergreifendes Forschungslabor” co-author together with Julia Wolf In: merlin Ausgabe 2/2018, p. 14, 15 |
“What is Meant Here by Smart” Eidener, F.; Viehweg, L.; Winkler, C.; Kunze, H. In: Bauhaus No. 9 Substance, Spector 2017
TALKS & MODERATION
Upcoming:
09/2026 “The Rock, the Fish and the Disaster” Panel with Tania Messell and Malin Kristine Graesse, Design History Society annual conference, Masaryk University Brno, CZ
09/2026 “Crafting Mountains from Dusty Tales” Reading of Field Notes and Laboratory Logs, Crafting Futures Lab, Ars Electronica Linz, AT
Past:
10/2025 “Empathy & Care” panel moderation with speakers Elena Falomo, Hira Rasool, Randi Rojas Díaz, Valena Ammon, Alexandra Liakhavets, Study Rooms 2025: Learning Environment. In the Workshop of Nature, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, DE
05/2025 “Material Design Histories”, guest speaker, PhD Forum HEAD Genève, CH
10/2024 “Imagination as a Site of Struggle” panel contribution with Gabriela Aquije and Guillemette Legrande, moderation Lucie Kolb at Mesh Festival, HEK Basel and Academy of Art and Design Basel, CH
10/2024 “From the field, to paper, and back.” Gabriela Aquije, Roberta Burchardt, Guillemette Legrand and Lilo Viehweg in conversation with Marisol de la Cadena, Make/Sense program at Critical Media Lab, Academy of Art and Design Basel, CH
10/2024 “Design after Progress: Åsa Ståhl and Kristina Lindström on Reimagining Design Histories and Futures” Critical Media Lab Colloquium moderation, Academy of Art and Design Basel, CH
09/2024 “Cutting, Grinding, Dissolving, Growing Borders in the Assembly Line of Knowledge Production” Border Control - Design History Society Conference, UCA Canterbury, UK
01/2024 “The Archive of Awkward Relations and Partial Connections” Designwissenschaftliches Kolloquium – Raum für Experimente: Beispielsweise Gestalterisches Forschen, MA Designstudies, Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, DE
02/2023 “Material ≤ Material ≠ Material ≥ Material <3 Material” at the Material Digital Burg Frühjahrssession, Studium Digitale, Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, DE
10/2022 Talk/Discussion on Design and Ethics at the Institute of Applied Ethics, University Jena, DE
06/2022 “Modes of Collectivity in Materials Research” at the German Society for Design Theory and Research (dgtf) anual conference, Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design Kiel, DE
01/2021 “Piezo Fragments“, Salon of Open Secrets Mz* Baltazar’s Lab Vienna, AT
12/2020 “Habitat” Festival Co-Moderation and Co-organisation, Bauhaus Study Rooms Festival, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, DE
11/2020 “Social Matters“, Department of Fashion and Textiles, Lycée La Matinière de Diderot Lyon, FR
10/2019 “Matters of Sustainability“ panel moderator with panelists Amelie Klein, Mareike Gast and Arianna Nicoletti, Hurra Hurra Festival, University of Art and Design Halle, DE
09/2019 “Gaps and Bridges“ at “Changing Values“ Conference, MAK and AzW Vienna, AT
06/2019 “Social Material Research“ at In the Midl Forum, Bratislava Design Week, SK
11/2018 “Material as Experiment“ with Julia Wolf at the German Society for Design Theory and Research (dgtf) anual conference, Academy of Design Karlsruhe, DE
06/2018 “Sensing Materials Lab” with Julia Wolf at Jour Fixe, Werkbundarchiv - Museum of Things, Berlin, DE
02/2018 “Designerly Ways of Doing“ with Julia Wolf at “Einsteins Spürnase” at Leopoldina Academy of Sciences Halle, DE
10/2017 “Inter-/trans-/multi-/anti-disziplinär? Kommunikation in Kooperationsprojekten“, Autumn Convention - Deutscher Museumsbund - Arbeitskreis Ausstellungen, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, DE
02/2017 “smart materials satellites“, SYN Award, University of Art and Design Halle, DE
10/2016 “TABU“ at the German Society for Design Theory and Research (dgtf) anual conference, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Dessau, DE
Upcoming:
09/2026 “The Rock, the Fish and the Disaster” Panel with Tania Messell and Malin Kristine Graesse, Design History Society annual conference, Masaryk University Brno, CZ
09/2026 “Crafting Mountains from Dusty Tales” Reading of Field Notes and Laboratory Logs, Crafting Futures Lab, Ars Electronica Linz, AT
Past:
10/2025 “Empathy & Care” panel moderation with speakers Elena Falomo, Hira Rasool, Randi Rojas Díaz, Valena Ammon, Alexandra Liakhavets, Study Rooms 2025: Learning Environment. In the Workshop of Nature, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, DE
05/2025 “Material Design Histories”, guest speaker, PhD Forum HEAD Genève, CH
10/2024 “Imagination as a Site of Struggle” panel contribution with Gabriela Aquije and Guillemette Legrande, moderation Lucie Kolb at Mesh Festival, HEK Basel and Academy of Art and Design Basel, CH
10/2024 “From the field, to paper, and back.” Gabriela Aquije, Roberta Burchardt, Guillemette Legrand and Lilo Viehweg in conversation with Marisol de la Cadena, Make/Sense program at Critical Media Lab, Academy of Art and Design Basel, CH
10/2024 “Design after Progress: Åsa Ståhl and Kristina Lindström on Reimagining Design Histories and Futures” Critical Media Lab Colloquium moderation, Academy of Art and Design Basel, CH
09/2024 “Cutting, Grinding, Dissolving, Growing Borders in the Assembly Line of Knowledge Production” Border Control - Design History Society Conference, UCA Canterbury, UK
01/2024 “The Archive of Awkward Relations and Partial Connections” Designwissenschaftliches Kolloquium – Raum für Experimente: Beispielsweise Gestalterisches Forschen, MA Designstudies, Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, DE
02/2023 “Material ≤ Material ≠ Material ≥ Material <3 Material” at the Material Digital Burg Frühjahrssession, Studium Digitale, Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, DE
10/2022 Talk/Discussion on Design and Ethics at the Institute of Applied Ethics, University Jena, DE
06/2022 “Modes of Collectivity in Materials Research” at the German Society for Design Theory and Research (dgtf) anual conference, Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design Kiel, DE
01/2021 “Piezo Fragments“, Salon of Open Secrets Mz* Baltazar’s Lab Vienna, AT
12/2020 “Habitat” Festival Co-Moderation and Co-organisation, Bauhaus Study Rooms Festival, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, DE
11/2020 “Social Matters“, Department of Fashion and Textiles, Lycée La Matinière de Diderot Lyon, FR
10/2019 “Matters of Sustainability“ panel moderator with panelists Amelie Klein, Mareike Gast and Arianna Nicoletti, Hurra Hurra Festival, University of Art and Design Halle, DE
09/2019 “Gaps and Bridges“ at “Changing Values“ Conference, MAK and AzW Vienna, AT
06/2019 “Social Material Research“ at In the Midl Forum, Bratislava Design Week, SK
11/2018 “Material as Experiment“ with Julia Wolf at the German Society for Design Theory and Research (dgtf) anual conference, Academy of Design Karlsruhe, DE
06/2018 “Sensing Materials Lab” with Julia Wolf at Jour Fixe, Werkbundarchiv - Museum of Things, Berlin, DE
02/2018 “Designerly Ways of Doing“ with Julia Wolf at “Einsteins Spürnase” at Leopoldina Academy of Sciences Halle, DE
10/2017 “Inter-/trans-/multi-/anti-disziplinär? Kommunikation in Kooperationsprojekten“, Autumn Convention - Deutscher Museumsbund - Arbeitskreis Ausstellungen, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, DE
02/2017 “smart materials satellites“, SYN Award, University of Art and Design Halle, DE
10/2016 “TABU“ at the German Society for Design Theory and Research (dgtf) anual conference, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Dessau, DE