Annina Gähwiler

Function
Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin - Institut für Designforschung
Field
Departement Design

Studies Doktoratsprogramm Individuell

Annina Gähwiler

Biography

Teaching / academic work experience

2021 - today
Research Associate at the Institute for Design Research, Departement Design, Zurich University of the Arts
Health related Design research in the context of the DDE Health Cluster and specifically for the Digital Health Design Living Lab.

2018 - 2022
Planning and Teaching of Higher Education Courses in the framework of the Summer and Winter School, Center for Further Education, ZHdK on the topic of Health Design Thinktank, Circular Design, Design for the Elderly and Social Design.

2015 - 2022
Deputy Head Master of Arts in Design, Departement Design, Zurich University of the Arts
Planning and Coordination of Design Interdisciplinary programme, modules and events.

2020 - 2022
Co-Planning and Teaching of seminar Social Design - Eine Einführung for Bachelor Students at the School of Social Work, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences.

2015 - 2020
Research Associate (former Assistant) at Master of Arts in Design, Specialization Product Design, Departement Design, Zurich University of the Arts
Teaching, mentoring/monitoring, organisation of workshops, exhibitions and events.
Research on Design for Health, in collaboration with the University Hospital Zurich USZ.
Research and workshops on Frugal Design - the potential of the thrifty, in the framework of the 2nd International Hub of the Design Departement, Zurich University of the Arts, in collaboration with Naga Nandini, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore, India
International Design Summer School 2016 Frugal Design, ZHdK, Zurich and 2017 Elder & Younger ZHdK, with Srishti, NID Ahmedaba, organised by Jiangnan University, in Wuxi, China
International Design Workshops 2015 Intencity, ZHdK, with Connecting Spaces, HDKI Desis Lab for Social Design Research, in Hong Kong

Practical work experience

2022 - today
Creative Consultant and Designer at uma collective, Zurich
Exploring the potential of interdisciplinary approaches to tackle the challenges in health services with a focus on co-creation, human-centered design methods and a creative mindset.

2007 - 2017
Designer at Pour les Alpes GmbH, Zurich
Concept and Product development and Design, furniture and accessories in collaboration with Swiss craftspeople, exclusive client gifts.

2013 - 2015
Nuts on Circles / WerkZeuge
Research, product development and design for people with dementia. In collaboration with care home and foundation Sonnweid, Wetzikon
2014 Award Die zweite Realität by Stiftung Sonnweid

2009 - 2011
Designer at Designculture AG, Zurich
Project Management and Design of Products and Interior Designs

2007 - 2009
Designer at Beat Karrer Studio, Zürich
Product and Furniture Design
International Design Workshops 2008 Manufactured Nature, with Beat Karrer und Vitra Design Museum, in Boisbuchet, France

Academic training

2017 - 2018
CAS Hochschuldidaktik, Pädagogische Hochschule Zürich

2011 - 2013
Master Studies in Product Design, Royal College of Arts, London, UK
MA Design Product
Final Project Nuts on Circles - an emotive tool for a person with dementia
Thesis The authentic object

2002 - 2006
Industrial Design Studies, Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, Aarau
Diplom Designer FH
Final project Eu vegn davo pigna - a heated bench.
Thesis Tradition und kulturelles Erbe der Schweizer Alpen, Eine Untersuchung charakteristischer Motive und Objekte