Contemporary Design

Lecturer Anna van der Lei

Lecturer in Contemporary Design
Anna Van Der Lei in the lab
Anna van der Lei portrait
Anna Van der Lei

Anna van der Lei (1984 Amsterdam), a mix of Dutch and Finnish nationality, is a University Teacher in contemporary design at the Aalto University.
In 2008 she graduated with honor from the Design Academy Eindhoven, after which she worked for a major design brand in London before starting her own design practice in 2010. As a designer, Anna’s work varies from analog material studies to explorations in the technological world. Her teaching reflects the contemporary and experimental approach she has towards design.

Personal Websites: 
www.annavanderlei.com
www.chil-dish.fi

Courses

Linda Mandell_Barrier_LJ1A9611

Experimental Design

The course follows a pre-determined and changing topic that establishes the frame inside which the students work. Each time a different corporate partner is involved in determining the characteristics of the introduced course case.
MUO-E5009

Contemporary Design
Algae hat workshop

Materials and Living Systems

As biomaterial is a broad and currently widely used term, the students learn to explore and discover new perspectives to biomaterials within their systems and understand how to create their own creative approach towards these materials.

Contemporary Design

Previous courses

bio materiality

Bio Materiality

As biomaterial is a broad and currently widely used term, the students learn to explore and discover new perspectives to biomaterials and understand how to create their own creative approach towards these materials.
MUO-E5021

Contemporary Design

Latest publications

Designs for the Material Future / Dutch Design Week

Anna van der Lei , Susanna Ahola, Great Isola 2025

Everyday Materials / Designs for a Cooler Planet

Anna van der Lei , Elizaveta Lingonberg 2025

Fostering Bioinnovations : From material ideas towards real-life applications

Pirjo Kääriäinen, Anna van der Lei , Susanna Ahola 2024

New Order of Fashion's Regeneration : From the Source exhibition / Dutch Design Week (DDW)

Julia Lohmann, Anna van der Lei , Saimi Parikka, Nina Riutta, Elizaveta Lingonberg, Tapani Vuorinen 2024

Behind bioinnovations / Dutch Design Week (curator)

Pirjo Kääriäinen, Anna van der Lei 2023

ARTEFAKTI (curation)

Simo Puintila, Anna van der Lei , Nathalie Lautenbacher 2023

CHEMARTS at Dutch Design Week 2022 (curator)

Pirjo Kääriäinen, Anna van der Lei 2022

At the roots of design

Anna van der Lei , Julia Lohmann 2022 Designing Change : New Opportunities for Organisations

The Seaweed Ceremony

Anna van der Lei , Julia Lohmann 2022

Kantava maa

Anna van der Lei 2021
More information on our research in the Aalto research portal.
Research portal
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