News

Julia Lohmann becomes Honorary Royal Designer for Industry in Regenerative Design

The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in Great Britain has awarded the title to Julia Lohmann for her work in regenerative design, sustainable materials and design ethics.
Julia Lohmann in her office with large seaweed sculpture
Photo: Mikko Raskinen

For her work in regenerative design, sustainable materials and design ethics, Julia Lohmann has been inducted into the facultyof the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in Great Britain (RSA), receiving the title ‘Honorary Royal Designer for Industry’. The title is awarded annually by the RSA to designers of all disciplines who have achieved ‘sustained design excellence, work of aesthetic value and significant benefit to society’. The RDI is the highest accolade for designers in the UK. Only 200 designers can hold the title. Non-UK designers may become honorary Royal Designers.

From the Royal Designers for Industry Address:

“Julia Lohmann is a German-born designer and researcher renowned for her innovative exploration of sustainable materials and the ethical dimension of human interaction with nature. As an Associate Professor of Contemporary Design at Aalto University in Finland, she heads the ‘Department of Seaweed’, dedicated to investigating seaweed’s potential as a sustainable design material. Lohmann’s work, which includes large-scale installations and functional objects, emphasizes the importance of ecological responsibility and challenges conventional perceptions of material value. Her contributions have been recognised globally and she has received support from institutions such as the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the British Council and the Wellcome Trust.”

For more information, see:

RSA – Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in Great Britain

Royal Designers forIndustry (RDI)

RSA Fellowship News

  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Aalto Creatives pre-incubator visual
Campus, Cooperation Published:

Call for Applications: Aalto Creatives Pre-incubator Programme Spring 2026

Join the Aalto Creatives afterwork and info session on 20.1.2026 to find out more about the open call and meet the Aalto Creatives team. At this event, alums from the pre-incubator tell about their entrepreneurial journeys and share their experiences from participating in the AC programme.
A person wearing a beige sweater and necklace stands indoors by a window with a forest view.
Awards and Recognition Published:

Research into physics of microscopically tiny organisms lands prestigious prize

Physics Professor Matilda Backholm received this year’s Väisälä award, handed out by the Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters.
Sanna Suoranta
Awards and Recognition Published:

Sanna Suoranta elected Computer Science teacher of the year 2025

The teacher of the year was announced at CS Staff meeting on Tuesday 9 December 2025.
A large audience watches the final presentation of Junction hackathon on stage, with '1st ApprenticeCircle+' on screen for Aalto University challenge.
Awards and Recognition, Cooperation Published:

Aalto students and researchers shape together how we age with AI at Junction hackathon 2025

The 'Aging with AI' hackathon challenge sparked a winning solution connecting generations over shared learning experiences, preserving cultural skills.