about materious
As with the dual valence of the word, "materious" we are interested in the physical substance as well as the substantiveness of designed objects. Of special attraction is the domestic sphere—a space in which artifacts have a particular capacity for intimate engagement with individuals. Our work ranges from the speculative to the commercial—at times we aim for provocation and perturbation, while at others, sustenance and service. Despite diversity of intent, process, product, and use context, ultimately we wish to imagine new possibilities for human-object relationships.

about stephanie
Stephanie received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Mechanical Engineering, and upon graduation took a job at Ford Motor Company as a product development engineer. After two years with Ford, she returned to school to study at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she received her Masters in Industrial Design.

She is currently an Assistant Professor, and Program Chair, of Industrial Design at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research looks at the convergence of design disciplines, and at the impact of the computer on design—its impact on design methodologies and on designed objects themselves. She regularly speaks at design conferences, and has lectured at design schools in China, Mexico, Scotland, and the United States.


about bruce
In addition to a PhD and MA in sociocultural anthropology from the University of Chicago, Bruce received a Masters of Industrial Design degree from Pratt Institute and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University. Presently he is an Assistant Professor of Designed Objects at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, focusing on design research along with issues of innovation and problem/opportunity definition. He has lectured, exhibited, and published nationally and internationally.

Prior to teaching, Bruce worked in the contract furniture industry within Haworth’s think-tank, the Ideation group, helping to bridge the gap between research on the built environment and design solutions.