Mathias Funk

Mathias Funk is Associate Professor in the Future Everyday group of the department of Industrial Design. He leads the Things Ecology lab. In addition, he is the co-founder of UXsuite GmbH, a high-tech spin-off of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). He is interested in design theory and processes for systems, designing systems for musical expression, and designing with data. He has a background in computer science and electrical engineering. He is a versatile software engineer and designs tools for designers such as domain-specific languages and distributed systems frameworks.

Mathias Funk’s main research interest is how designers can design with and for data and systems behavior. He works primarily on design tools and the layers between engineering and modern industrial design. In addition, Funk researches new musical and visual expression, feedback and collaboration tools, and human values and sustainability issues in design.

Mathias Funk co-edited a special issue on ‘Designing for Systems of Smart Things’ for the International Journal of Design. Since 2012, he has been heading the development of the systems-communication framework OOCSI, used by hundreds of students internationally to design connected products and systems.

I have long been fascinated by design, both in aesthetics and process, and software systems with all their complexities and inherent qualities.”