London, UK
Designer/engineer
at Studio INI
Studio INI is seeking a designer/engineer to join its team in London.
Location: London with international travel
Type: full time or part time
Category: design engineer, designer, engineer
Salary: competitive and dependent on experience
Start date: immediately
Studio INI is looking for a creative designer/engineer to join its studio in Central London. Working at the forefront of experimental design methodologies and cutting edge manufacturing technologies, Studio INI explores the intersection of digital and computational design/fabrication, and applies this to the material world to innovate and discover new forms of physical visceral interactions and architecture through ambitious and exciting large-scale interactive installations.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to contribute throughout all stages of the design process from conceptualisation to realisation and implementation of its upcoming large-scale design projects and installations in London and across the globe. Ideal candidates will need to be bold and fast learners with the ability to work in a highly creative and technical capacity. They will be naturally curious and keen to work with both new technologies and traditional artisan crafts, jumping from the computer to the workshop with ease.
Our large scale installations are exhibited across the globe, in Europe, US and Asia with exhibitions including, V&A – London, Triennale di Milano- Salone del Mobile- Milan Design week, A/D/O- New York, Kochi Muziris Biennale – India.
Studio INI was winner of the Dezeen’s Design Studio of The Year 2020 Award public vote, after being nominated by the Dezeen editorial team and shortlisted by an esteemed panel of judges including Paola Antonelli and Norman Foster.
Studio INI is part of the world leading group of experiential artists in Superblue, a group created to represent forerunners in the field of immersive art. Co-founded by: PACE Gallery, and the Emmerson Collective founded and led by Laurene Powell-Jobs.
We are looking to expand our team for the requirements of our exciting pipeline of research and installation projects that are ahead of us.
Previous works and installations include:
- A/D/O by MINI, Brooklyn, New York, 2019
- London Design Biennale, Somerset House Central Courtyard, 2018 – London, UK
- Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), London Design Festival, 2017- London, UK
- Triennale di Milano, Milan Design week, Lexus Pavilion, 2017 – Milan, Italy
- Kochi – Muziris Biennale, MAP Project, Cochin, India, 2018-2019
- Ithra Centre, King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, 2018 – Dammam, Saudi Arabia
- Kolkata Centre for Creativity, Emami Art, 2018- Kolkata, India.
- RobArch, 2018- Zurich, Germany
- MIT Media Lab, Members week, 2016 – Boston, US
- Martinos Art, 2018 – Athens, Greece
More information can be found on our website.
Core responsibilities:
- to actively contribute in the conceptual, industrial and interaction design for upcoming design concepts
- to lead or contribute in mechanical engineering and design for manufacture for upcoming design concepts and reproductions
- to maintain a very hands-on approach to all stages of design, from conceptual and physical prototyping up to extensive design for manufacture
- ability to prioritise work tasks and work confidently and independently
- to be able to effectively communicate with different project stakeholders and managing manufacturers, to help encourage them to work more experimentally, whilst maintaining strong relationships and high quality standards
- to organise and input in logistics, transportation and customs as required for a project
- to project manage the installation and deinstallation of current and past projects
- to help maintain an organised studio space and storage
- to compile presentation and visual materials using Adobe Suite (InDesign, Photoshop and Premiere)
- project management responsibilities; to monitor budgets and ensure expenditure within budgets; to create and monitor action lists as required;
- to set-up and maintain best practices and repeated processes for studio organisation
Education/experience:
- a strong undergraduate or masters in general, mechanical or design engineering or product or industrial design is essential. Depending on portfolio we encourage self taught engineers and designer as well
- an additional masters in any discipline of design or innovation is a bonus
- prior experience of working in a project-based environment, understanding of project management principles in design/engineering projects
- knowledge of Health & Safety for interactive installations would be advantageous
Skills
Key skills:
- excellent organisation skills
- ability to work independently and prioritise heavy workload
- ability to communicate with private clients, suppliers and collaborators
- willing to work flexibly and creatively and not limited by the job description.
- strong attention to detail
Engineering
Design for fabrication, mechanism design, product design specification, sourcing engineering components.
Physical and rapid prototyping
Confident making with metal, polymers, woods, textiles (ability to work/confident to learn working with lathe, milling machine, drill press, band saw, table saw and 3D printers is essential).
Design and innovation
Concept sketching, design thinking, interaction prototypes.
Essential software
Adobe Suite (AI, ID, PS), 3D engineering CAD (Solidworks, Inventor or Fusion 360 are preferred, but the ability to adapt to new software is also permissible).
Desirable Software (bonus)
Cinema 4D- C4D (or other rendering tool ), Rhino + Grasshopper, Object oriented code and embedded firmware (C++, JS & Arduino).
Cultural context (bonus)
Knowledge of the London/Global Art/Design scene and a passion for interactive, public installations, design, combined with dance performance
Language
All candidates must be fluent in English. The ability to speak Greek is a bonus as the studio has workshops both in London and Athens.
Benefits:
- access to Somerset House Studios and Makerversity network, 24/7 working space and their workshops
- access to Somerset House and special discounts for SH members
- opportunities for research and to develop new skills
- be part of a small but ambitious design studio, with opportunities to directly contribute and be involved in core design process, philosophy and research
- we are open to and welcome the creative ideas of our colleagues to drive future projects and research directions
- possibility of traveling abroad across the globe to work on various projects
If you feel that you fit the bill and you have the right to work in the UK, please get in touch and apply through [email protected] with subject Design Engineer Application. Please include:
- CV
- portfolio (if sending a website, please guide us through the projects)
- cover letter: briefly and clearly explaining how your practice would fit with this role, clearly addressing all points of the job description
- Date of availability
Positions are open to an immediate start.
Applications closing date
Applications will be reviewed in two rounds:
- first Round: November 12th 2020
- second Round: December 31st 2020
Successful applicants will be contacted within a week of the application deadline to arrange an interview.