Rasa Weber
Rasa Weber is a designer with a focus on bio-based materials and interdisciplinary research. She is a researcher at Zürich University of the Arts in the Interaction Design department.
In her thesis Symbiocean (supervised by Prof. Dr. Karmen Franinović, ZHdK and Prof. Dr. Karin Harrasser, University of the Arts Linz) she researches on the process of underwater mineral accretion and its sympoïetic potential for the ecological formation of marine habitats. At the intersection of marine biology, anthropology and design, she explores the notion of Interspecies Architecture with her practice-based and theoretical research on sympoïetic design processes with human, animal and microbial actors in the ocean.
As part of the project Material Form Function, she brings ecological material development from the closed system of the laboratory to the open system of the ocean via interdisciplinary field methods (collaboration with Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior). By researching applications and production processes of post-extractive material production, from strategies of mining to future methods of growing materials, her work challenges the concept of active matter on an ecological and architectural level.
Edited Volumes & Exhibition Catalogues
Jörg, K., Weber, R. eds. 2023. Messy Utopia. Ztscript Vol. 39. Vienna: Ztscript.
https://www.ztscrpt.net
Articles
Weber, R. 2023. »Die Neue Sensibilität. Entwerfen in und mit anthropozentrischen Umwelten. [The New Sensitivity. Designing in and with environments of the Anthropocene].« NDION Magazine - Rat für Formgebung, 17 Januar 2023
https://ndion.de/de/die-neue-sensibilitaet-entwerfen-in-und-mit-anthropozentrischen-umwelten/
Conference Proceedings
Rasa Weber. 2023. »A Sympoietic Ocean. Design research with/in the marine holobiont.« ISEA 2023. 23rd Symposium for Digital Arts: Symbiosis. Paris: ISEA Conference, Forthcoming.
https://www.isea-archives.org/isea2023_presentation_weber
Weber, R., Wegner, A. 2023. »Getting Attuned to the Ocean. Underwater Methods Between Marine Biology and Design Research.« Presented at the Swiss Design Network Conference Counterparts: Exploring Design beyond the Human, 27-28 October 2022. Forthcoming.
Weber, R. 2022. »Smybio-Design. Towards Materials Research in the Ocean.« Presented at the Annual Conference of the German Society for Design Theory and Research (DGTF): Design X Sustainability, Muthesius Kunsthochschule, Kiel, 1-3 June 2022. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Designforschung, 54-56.
https://doi.org/10.25368/2022.136
Talks & Presentations
Bredekamp, H., Schäffner, W., Bonacic-Koutecky, V., Rabe, J. P., Hernández Lobato, J. I., Weber, R. »Sympoietic Design in the Ocean«. Talk at the Shared Symposium ON WATER Cluster Matters of Activity (MoA, Humboldt University) and Center of Excellence (STIM, University of Split), Center of Excellence for Science and Technology, University of Split. 9 July 2023.
Hans, I., Weber, R. »PhD in Design«. Talk at the Industrial Design Department, University of the Arts Berlin. Virtual. 16 May 2023.
Harrasser, K., Macho, T. (curators), Weber, R. »+ - Zero«. Situiert im Globalen: Konflikte. Kosten. Atmosphären., Kunstuniversität Linz. Public discussion with Gloria Meynen. 22 October 2023.
https://www.ifk.ac.at/kalender-detail/situiert-im-globalen-konflikte-kosten-atmosphaeren.html
Kufus, A., Weber, R. »Serious Games. Playing with/in Material Ecologies«. Serious Games, Institut für Industrial Design, Universität der Künste Berlin. 9 January 2023.
https://design.udk-berlin.de/2023/03/rasa-weber/
Köhne, J. »Aquatory Entwerfen?«. Tief im Ozean. Tauchgänge in aquatische Wissens- und Imaginationsräume.. Institut für Kulturwissenschaften, Humboldt Universität Berlin. 9 February 2023.
https://agnes.hu-berlin.de/lupo/rds?state=verpublish&status=init&vmfile=no&publishid=196777&moduleCall=webInfo&publishConfFile=webInfo&publishSubDir=veranstaltung
Weber, R, Ribault, P. »Design with/in Troubled Waters«. École des Beaux-Arts de Paris. 24 March 2023.
https://shared-campus.com/themes/critical-ecologies/
Weber, R., Schäffner, A. »A Sympoietic Ocean. Design research with/in the marine holobiont«. Talk at the ISEA Conference, Ecosystems – Climate Change. Symbiotic Organizations. Les Halles, Paris. 17 May 2023.
https://www.isea-archives.org/isea2023_presentation_weber
Weber, R. »Impurity by Design. A Queer Ecological Journey«. Talk at the Climate Care Festival, How to Zoöp?. Floating University, Berlin. Part of A workshop with Klaas Kuitenbrouwer (Het Nieuwe Instituut & Zoönomic Institute). 24 September 2023.
https://floating-berlin.org/de/programme/climate-care/
Weber, R. »Impurity by Design. A Queer Ecological Journey«. Talk at the Climate Care Festival, How to Zoöp?. Floating University, Berlin. Part of a workshop with Klaas Kuitenbrouwer (Het Nieuwe Instituut & Zoönomic Institute). 24 September 2023.
https://floating-berlin.org/de/programme/climate-care/
Fantini van Ditmar, D., Weber, R. Bye Bye Extractivism? - On the exploitation, collaboration, & co-creation of biomaterials. Innovation Design Engineering Department, Royal College of Art London. 21 November 2022.
https://www.rca.ac.uk/more/staff/dr-delfina-fantini-van-ditmar/
Weber, R., Wegner, A Getting Attuned to the Ocean. Underwater field methods between marine biology and design research. Talk at the Swiss Design Network Conference, Counterparts: Exploring Design beyond the Human. Zürich University of the Arts. 27 October 2022.
https://counterparts.ch
Weber, R., Werner, B. M., Eger Domingos, D., Yang, B., Kim, Y., Almpani-Lekka, D., Bauer, F., Hehemeyer-Cürten, J., Rosenthal, N., Siquera Rodrigues, L., Shams, B., Schneider, M., Rasehorn, F. Indoor Water Bio-Remediation System. Poster presentation at the Scaling Matters: From the Lab to the Field, MoA Retreat at the Landgut Stober. Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 13 September 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/9125/scaling-matters-from-the-lab-to-the-field
Weber, R., Werner, B. M., Eger Domingos, D., Yang, B., Kim, Y., Almpani-Lekka, D., Bauer, F., Hehemeyer-Cürten, J., Rosenthal, N., Siquera Rodrigues, L., Shams, B., Schneider, M., Rasehorn, F. »Minus Zero. Interspecies Design in Underwater Environments«. Talk at the Scaling Matters: From the Lab to the Field, Landgut Stober. Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 13 September 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/9125/scaling-matters-from-the-lab-to-the-field
Weber, R. Algae Futures. Keynote at the Re-imagining fashion with speculative design and algae futures, Speculative Futures. Berlin. Virtual. 16 March 2022.
Weber, R. Designing (in/through/with) the Ocean – interdisziplinäre Forschung zwischen Meeresbiologie und Design. Talk at the Sustainability Science Dialogue, Gemeinsame Werte, Visionen und Wege zur Nachhaltigkeit. Zürich University of the Arts. 10 March 2022.
https://scnat.ch/de/uuid/i/5c3c5b82-a988-5d37-a927-a4309d2ad6c3-Sustainability_Science_Dialogue_–_Gemeinsame_Werte_Visionen_und_Wege_zur_Nachhaltigkeit
Weber, R. Designing (in/with) the Ocean. Talk at the Sustainability Science Dialogues. Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. 10 March 2022.
https://interactiondesign.zhdk.ch/news/rasa-weber-designing-in-with-the-ocean-sustainability-science-dialogue-thu-10.03.2022/
Weber, R. From Mining to Growing. Biochemical explorations of designing in / with marine ecologies. Talk at the Creative Science: a collaborative journey through Design and Chemistry, Newcastle University. ASCUS Creative Producer, UK, Curated: Paula Nerlich. Virtual. 25 July 2022.
https://www.ascus.org.uk/blog/ma-panel
Weber, R. Symbio Design - Toward sympoietic materials research in the ocean. Talk at the Design X Nachhaltigkeit - DGTF Jahrestagung, Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design, Kiel. 2 June 2022.
Weber, R. »Algae Futures«. Talk at the Re-imagining fashion. Ellery Studio, Berlin. Virtual. 16 March 2022.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca7gAR4MCPr/
Weber, R. »Symbio-Design. Towards sympoietic materials research in the ocean«. Keynote at the Design X Sustainability, Muthesius Kunsthochschule, Kiel. 6 June 2022.
https://designxsustainability.dgtf.de
Brandstetter, G., Clifford, B., Geipel, K., Weber, R., Zampini, D. CARBS - Concrete Kinetics. Panel Presentation at the Aedes Architecture Forum, Berlin. Hybrid. 26 February 2021.
https://www.aedes-arc.de/cms/aedes/de/programm?id=19726143
Rosen, A., Weber, R. Mining our Urban Futures. Urban Mining. Trier University of Applied Sciences. Virtual. 6 May 2021.
https://www.hochschule-trier.de/hochschule/aktuelles/terminkalender/termin-detail/vortragsreihe-in-the-nature-of-materials-urban-mining
Weber, R. Growing Matter. Talk at the Material Negotiations: Practices of Biodesign, Collaborations, Making With & Transience. Berlin. Virtual. 8 October 2021.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/6395/material-negotiations-practices-of-biodesign
Weber R. The Art of Urban Mining I + II. Change by Design. Manuel León Ponce USA. Virtual. 11 November 2021.
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. Transformative Matter - Materials Research for our Sustainable Future? Talk at the Design TO Opening Lecture. Harbourfront Center Toronto, Canada. 24 January 2020.
https://designto.org/blog/they-feed-off-buildings/
Invited Moderation/ Comment
Eisenhauer, N., Weber, R., Himmelsbach, P., Einhell, E., Holzbach, M., Scheuermann, A. (moderator) »Neue Werkstoffe – ist die Industrie bereit für die Nachwuchsziele der Gen Z?«. Museum für Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt a Main. 11 February 2023.
https://www.museumangewandtekunst.de/de/home/druck/?id=850&images=1
Frentrop, M., Lefteri, C., Weber, R., Dr. Stillings, C. »Circular Design. Why Materials Matter«. »The Visions«, K22, Düsseldorf. curated by German Design Council. 23 October 2023.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiC6fPy6LmBAxWXS_EDHc8LAhoQFnoECBsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fndion.de%2Fde%2Fmeet-the-innovators-auf-der-k22-covestro-design-day%2F&usg=AOvVaw0MDvBk4nwQga9phC3R3n3Y&opi=89978449
Sicher, E., Weber, R., Kesselring, R., Asa, P. MATTERSCAPES. A Studio Visit. Doctoral Presentations, repair, restore, regenerate, Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Moderation by Perraudin, Léa. 27 June 2023.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/11320/matterscapes-a-studio-visit
Events & Workshops
Weber, R. »Symbio-Design Futures – ein neues Entwurfsparadigma für materielles Wachstum in/mit mehr-als-menschlichen ökologischen Systemen«. Muthesius Kunsthochschule, Kiel. Summer School »Mitten in der Zukunft – Entwürfe für nachhaltiges Denken und Handeln«. 21 September 2023 - 24 September 2023.
https://muthesius-kunsthochschule.de/2022/09/14/september-akademie-mitten-in-der-zukunft-entwuerfe-fuer-nachhaltiges-denken-und-handeln/
Auger, James, Mareis, Claudia, Lockwood, Joe, Razghandi, Khashayar, Stock, Robert, Weber, Rasa. Frictioned Functionality. Un/Designing Un/Sustainable Matter. Berlin. Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 17 October 2022 - 22 October 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/8495/frictioned-functionality-un-designing-un-sustainable-matter
Weber, R., with Karmen Franinovic »Collaborations as Environmental Interactions«. Zürich University of the Arts. 14 November 2022.
https://www.zhdk.ch/en/doctoralstudies/transdisciplinary-artistic-phd-10960
Teaching & Courses
Rasa, Weber, Karmen Franinovic, Stella Speziali. »More-than-human Slowness - Multispecies Design Ethnography with the Camera«. Seminar, Zürich University of the Arts. 8 May 2023 - 26 May 2023.
Rasa Weber. »Slowciety - a speculative design scenario for lowering the work ethics«. With Time's Up - Tina Auer, Tim Boykett, Eva-Maria Spreitzer, Prof. Dr. Franinovic. Zürich University of the Arts. 30 March 2023 - 14 April 2023.
Rasa Weber. »Water Futures Pavilion«. Floating University, Course: Sustainable Material Practice. Berlin International University. 1 April 2023 - 14 July 2023.
Rasa Weber with Noemi Chow (Science Communication) »Walking Water Ways - Design Ethnography of Water«. Interaction Design. Zürich University of the Arts. 1 May 2023 - 5 May 2023.
Ziegler, V., Weber, R. »Digital Fabrication«. Zürich University of the Arts. 9 January 2023 - 20 January 2023.
Franinovic, K., Kirschner, R., Franzke, L., Weber, R., Zybinska, P. Master Think Tank - Design Fieldwork on the Future of Water. Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. 17 May 2022 - 21 May 2022.
Franinovic, K., Kischner, R., Franzke, L., Weber, R., Zybinska, P. Narrative Design Strategies (AV & sketching for storytelling) - MA Interaction Design. Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. 18 April 2022 - 30 April 2022.
Maries, M (design theory), Clark, J. (anthropology), Bühn, S. (ecology), le Calvé, M. (anthropology), Weber, R. »Dark Fluidity: An immersive exploration of liquid ontologies in practice along the multispecies material ecologies of the river Schwärze«. Summer School: Frictioned Functionality. Un/designing Un/sustainable Matter. Matters of Activity, Humboldt-University of Berlin. 17 October 2022 - 22 October 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/8495/frictioned-functionality-un-designing-un-sustainable-matter
Rasa Weber. Water Futures - Design Fieldwork on the Future of Water. Block Seminar, Master Think Tank, all design departments. Zürich University of the Arts. 17 May 2022 - 20 May 2022.
Rasa Weber »Future of Water Pavilion«. Floating University , BA Architecture & Interior Design, Course: Sustainability. Berlin International University. 1 January 2022 - 30 June 2022.
Rasa Weber »Narrative Design Strategies - AV + sketching for Storytelling«. Block Seminar, Zürich University of the Arts, Interaction Design. 19 April 2022 - 22 April 2022.
Razghandi, K., Mareis, C., Stock, R., Auger, J., Lockwood, J., Wenig, C., Norris, L., Stark, S., Weber, R., Bühn, S., Clark, J., le Calvé. M. »Frictioned Functionality: Un/Designing Un/Sustainable Matter«. »Dark Fluidity. An immersive exploration of liquid ontologies in practice along the multispecies material ecologies of the Schwärze river«. MoA's First Interdisciplinary Autumn School., Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 17 October 2022 - 22 October 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/8495/frictioned-functionality-un-designing-un-sustainable-matter
Weber, R., with Ziegler, V. »Artistic and Experimental Basics - Object Experience«. Block Seminar, Zürich University of the Arts. 26 September 2022 - 17 October 2022.
Weber, R., Ziegler, V. Digital Fabrication - BA Interaction Design. Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. 1 January 2022 - 31 January 2022.
Weber, R. Sustainable Design: Water Futures Pavilion - BA Architecture & Interior Design. Berlin International University. 14 March 2022 - 20 June 2022.
Weber, R., Ziegler, V. Object Experience: Artistic and Experimental Basics - BA Interaction Design. Block Seminar, Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland. 1 September 2021 - 31 October 2021.
Cannarozzi, S., Weber, R. Film as a narrative tool for Designers and Architects - MA Integrated Design. Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. 1 September 2020 - 31 January 2021.
Pfeiffer, S., Palz, N., Schmidts, C., Weber, R. Transformative Matter: new materials for regenerative modes of building - MA Digital and Experimental Design. Berlin University of the Arts. 1 October 2020 - 28 November 2020.
Pfeiffer, S., Palz, N., Schmidts, C., Weber, R. Growing Architecture: Microalgae as new biomaterial for urban landscapes - MA Digital and Experimental Design. Berlin University of the Arts. 1 October 2019 - 1 January 2020.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. Sustainable Pigments. KEA - Copenhagen School of Design and Technology, Denmark. 2 June 2017 - 1 July 2017.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. Narrative Design Strategies: Talking Bodies - BA Fashion Design / Textile Design / Product Design. University of Leeds - School of Design, England. 1 October 2016 - 30 October 2016.
(Co)Supervisions of Qualification Theses
Rasa Weber. 2023. Second supervisor MA thesis supervision (2nd supervisor). Master thesis, WEith Karmen Franinovic, Roman Kirschner, Max Rainer, Verena Ziegler, Joelle Bitton. Zürich University of the Arts.
Fischer, J.-F., Weber. R. 2022. First supervisor BA Thesis in Interior Design. Berlin International University.
Franinovic, K., Bitton, J., Kirschner, R-, Speziali, S., Weber, R. 2022. Second supervisor MA thesis in Interaction Design & Studio 4. Master thesis, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste.
Weber, R. 2022. First supervisor BA thesis theory supervision (1st supervisor). Bachelor thesis, Interior Design & Architecture. Berlin International University.
Grosse, K. W., Weber, R. 2017. Kitchen of the Anthropocene - MA Integrated Design. Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.
Prizes & Competition Awards
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2020. Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis (Nomination). Stiftung Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis.
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2019. AD Design Award - Best Concept (Nomination). Design Award. »Urban Terrazzo.« AD Magazin.
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2019. German Design Award - Newcomer (Nomination). Design Award. »Urban Terrazzo.« Rat für Formgebung.
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2018. Bundespreis Ecodesign. Design Award. »Urban Terrazzo.« Deutsches Bundesumweltministerium / Umweltbundesamt.
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2018. Green Product Award (Finalist). Design Award. »Urban Terrazzo.« Green Product Award.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. 2016. German Design Award - Newcomer (Nomination). Design Award. »Algaemy.« Rat für Formgebung.
Glomb, E., Weber, R. 2015. German Design Award - Best Communication (Nomination). Design Award. »Algaemy.« Rat für Formgebung.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. 2015. Make Me! Award. Design Award. »Algaemy.« Łódź Design Festival.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. 2014. Bundespreis Ecodesign. Design Award. »Algaemy.« Deutsches Bundesumweltministerium / Umweltbundesamt.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. 2014. Core 77 (Honorable Mention). Design Award. »Algaemy.« Core 77.
Glomb, E. J., Weber, R. 2014. DMY Newcomer (Nomination). International Design Festival Berlin.
External Grants, Fellowships, Scholarships & Residencies
Rasa Weber, Karmen Franinovic, Roman Kirschner, Anthea Oestreicher. 2023. Interfacing the Ocean. Swiss National Science Fund Project funding.
https://interactiondesign.zhdk.ch/projekte/interfacing-the-ocean/
Rasa Weber. 2023. Aunslandsförderung Kunstuniversität Linz. Fieldwork Cartagena.
Rasa Weber. 2023. PROCOPE Mobility Grant. Government of France-Embassy of France in Germany/DAAD Residency. Field Trip STARESO Calvi (FR).
Rasa Weber 2023. PROCOPE Mobility Grant. DAAD,
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2019. Kultur- und Kreativpiloten. Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz
Rubisch, L., Weber, R. 2017. Creative Prototyping Stipendium. Project funding.
Weber, R. 2010. Begabtenförderwerk Villigst e.V. BMBF, Scholarship.
Research Stays at Another Institution
Rasa Weber, Anthea Oestreicher, PI: Karmen Franinovic, PI: Roman Kirschner, TBA 21, BLUE - Multispecies Ethnographies of Oceans in Crisis, Jordan Lab - Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. Interfacing the Ocean. Zürich University of the Arts, Swiss National Science Foundation. Funded by Swiss National Science Foundation. 1 November 2023 - 1 November 2027.
https://interactiondesign.zhdk.ch/projekte/interfacing-the-ocean/
Memberships
Rasa Weber. Since 2023. Konsortium Deutsche Meeresforschung: KDM.
https://www.deutsche-meeresforschung.de
Rasa Weber. Since 2022. Member of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Designtheorie und -forschung.
https://www.dgtf.de