Wolfgang Laimer
Design MA
Konstfack University Of Arts Crafts and Design
Specialisms: Footwear / Industrial Design / Design Research
Location: Salzburg, Austria
Wolfgang Laimer
First Name: Wolfgang
Last Name: Laimer
Specialisms: Footwear / Industrial Design / Design Research
Sectors:
My Location: Salzburg, Austria
University / College: Konstfack University Of Arts Crafts and Design
Course / Program Title: Design MA
About
Wolfgang Laimer is an interdisciplinary designer exploring the intersections of design, ecology, and philosophy. His work focuses on multisensory product development, innovative footwear, and materials research. Beyond practical problem-solving through design, he emphasizes the potential of creative research to generate knowledge and address complex issues. By bridging practical and conceptual realms, his approach invites reflection on the relationship between human augmentation and technology, material culture, and the broader implications of design in shaping experience, affordances, and environmental interactions. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Design Ecologies from Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design and pursues studies in Analytic Philosophy at Paris Lodron University of Salzburg.
This project explores the integration of biotechnology into sports footwear design, envisioning a future where individuals can temporarily enhance their physiology to meet specific athletic needs. By leveraging tissue engineering, the wearer's own biomaterials get harnessed to optimize performance and customization. The work redefines long-distance running by establishing a physical bond between footwear and feet. Rooted in both design fiction and industrial design, this exploration speculates on the transformative impact of biotechnological advances. It is an investigation into the human body's potential evolution. The project reflects on innovations in footwear design while highlighting the crucial role of design fiction in envisioning future possibilities. Ultimately, it illustrates the intersection of design, ecology, biology, human enhancement, and fiction as a means to address contemporary challenges.
Competitions
