In conversation with Ilona Gaynor
Thomas Thwaites (1980, London, UK) is a designer whose work examines the societal impacts of science and technologies. As an undergraduate he studied economics and biology at University College London, and this training informs his work, which spans science and design. He completed his post-graduate masters degree in Design Interactions at the Royal College of Art in 2009.
He now develops far reaching design projects, undertakes commissions for private companies, as well as making work for public organizations including London’s Design Museum, the Wellcome Trust and the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
His work has been acquired by the Victoria & Albert Museum for their permanent collection, and is exhibited frequently and internationally at major galleries worldwide, including at the National Museum of China, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul, the Science Museum (London), and the Zero 1 Biennial (California). He also gives talks about his work at public conferences, to students, and to businesses. He has spoken at TED and Design Indaba, to Procter and Gamble, Adidas, and Dyson, as well as at universities across the world.
Press coverage has been widespread, including features in newspapers including the New York Times, Süddeutsche and The Financial Times. He has presented a four part television series, aired on Discovery Channel Asia Pacific in 2013, and be interviewed on the Colbert Rapport (USA), the Today Program (UK) and numerous other radio and TV programs.
His first book, The Toaster Project, published by Princeton Architectural Press to critical acclaim, has now been translated into Japanese and Korean editions. His second book, about his attempt to become a goat, was published in May 2016, and is being translated in to Norwegian and Korean.
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