Designer-researcher Luis Vega specializes in cross-cultural collaboration. Dwelling on the dynamics of people and processes, his work employs collective acts of making as a means to investigate ways of socializing knowledge through materiality.
In addition to running an award-winning practice, he teaches design research and speaks at conferences. His projects have been published widely and exhibited in galleries, museums, fairs, and biennials in cities like London, Mexico City, Milan, New York, and Tokyo.
Since 2019, Luis works in the Department of Design at Aalto University.
Luis Vega
Designer · Researcher · Educator
Mexico City, 1987
00100, Helsinki
+ 358 46 9540368
info@luis-vega.com
Instagram, Linkedin
CURRENT Position
2020 — Present
Researcher,
Department of Design
Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Helsinki, Finland
Project: Materiality, Maker Practices and Design Studio Pedagogy in the Digital Age. Consortium Partners: University of Helsinki & Aalto University
Public profile:
aalto.fi/en/people/luis-vega
EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
2019 — Present
Doctoral Candidate,
Doctoral Degree Program in Design, EMPIRICA Research Group
Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Helsinki, Finland
2016 — 2018
Master of Arts,
Master’s Degree Program in International Design Business Management
Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Helsinki, Finland
2005 — 2010
Bachelor of Arts,
Bachelor’s Degree Program in Industrial Design
Tecnológico de Monterrey. Mexico City, Mexico
2009
Exchange Student,
Academic Exchange Program in Art & Design
Istituto de Arte, Lingua e Cultura Lorenzo de'Medici. Florence, Italy
PREVIOUS POSITIONS AND PROFESSIONAL MOBILITY
2018 — 2019
Program Director,
Bachelor’s Degree Program in Industrial Design
Tecnológico de Monterrey. Mexico City, Mexico
2017 — 2018
Visiting Researcher,
Department of Design Foundation Studies
香港知專設計學院 Hong Kong Design Institute. New Territories, Hong Kong
2015 — 2016
Lecturer,
Bachelor’s Degree Program in Industrial Design
Centro de Diseño, Cine y Televisión CENTRO. Mexico City, Mexico
Centro de Estudios Superiores de Diseño de Monterrey CEDIM. Monterrey, Mexico
Centro de Investigaciones de Diseño Industrial CIDI-UNAM. Mexico City, Mexico
Tecnológico de Monterrey. Monterrey, Puebla, and Querétaro, Mexico
Universidad Tecnológica de México. Mexico City, Mexico
2014
Visiting Researcher,
Postgraduate Program in Modern Design and Traditional Craftsmanship
京都工芸繊維大学 Kyoto Institute of Technology. Kyoto, Japan
2013 — 2014
Head of Design,
Public Sector
Oaxaca Design Center. Oaxaca, Mexico
2011 — 2013
Head of Design,
Private Sector
Galería Mexicana de Diseño. Mexico City, Mexico
EXTERNAL SERVICES AND CONSULTANCY
2018 — Present
Curatorial Board Member,
Curatorial projects for Galería Mexicana de Diseño. Mexico City, Mexico
2017
Designer,
Civic engagement projects and workshop facilitation for City of Helsinki. Helsinki, Finland
2016 — Present
Designer,
Commercial projects for Tributo / Manos Anónimas. Jalisco, Mexico
2012 — 2016
Designer,
Commercial projects and commissioned work for 20/20, Abierto Mexicano de Diseño, Ánfora Studio, Ángulo Cero, Casa Gutiérrez Nájera, Galería Mexicana de Diseño, Japan Crafts Oshima, Lagos del Mundo, Masisa Lab, and Merkki, among others. Various locations
2015 — 2016
External Consultant,
Design promotion activities for the Embassy of Mexico in Japan. Tokyo, Japan
2014 — 2015
External Consultant,
Various services for the Oaxaca Design Center. Oaxaca, Mexico
TEACHING, ACADEMIC SUPERVISION, and thesis examination
2021 — Present
Lecturer,
Co-teacher in the course “Doing Research” of the Doctoral Program in Arts, Design and Architecture at Aalto University. Helsinki, Finland
Coordinator,
Responsible for the organization of the Thesis Seminar in the Master’s Degree Program in Contemporary Design at Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Helsinki, Finland
2021
Examiner,
Thesis evaluator for two students in the Master’s Degree Program in Contemporary Design at Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Helsinki, Finland
2020 — 2022
Lecturer,
Responsible for the course “Degree Project” of the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Product and Industrial Design at Tecnológico de Monterrey. Mexico City, Mexico
Guest Lecturer,
Invited speaker in various BA and MA level courses in higher education institutions such as CENTRO, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, and Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Various locations, Mexico
Advisor,
Thesis advisor for one student in the Master’s Degree Program in International Design Business Management at Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Helsinki, Finland
2018 — 2019
Full-time Lecturer,
Responsible for the courses “Introduction to Industrial Design”, “Design Project 1: Product Design, Pottery and Ceramics”, and “Professional Portfolio” in the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Product and Industrial Design at Tecnológico de Monterrey. Mexico City, Mexico
2015 — 2016
Guest Lecturer,
Invited speaker in various BA level courses in higher education institutions such as CENTRO, CEDIM, CIDI-UNAM, and Tecnológico de Monterrey. Various locations, Mexico
Lecturer,
Responsible for the courses “Design Project 3: Product Design, Pottery and Ceramics”, “Industrial Design and Integrated Systems Thinking”, “Strategic Planning and Design Management”, “Digital Prototypes”, and “Design Futures and Foresight” in the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Product and Industrial Design at Universidad Tecnológica de México. Mexico City, Mexico
WORKSHOP PREPARATION AND FACILITATION
2022 Translocal Pottery, Aalto University. Helsinki, Finland
2020 Transcultural Pottery, Design Museum. Helsinki, Finland
2019 Materiales Cerámicos [Ceramic Materials: Press moulding and slip casting], Tecnológico de Monterrey. Mexico City, Mexico
2019 Introducción al Diseño, Semana de Estudios Creativos [Introduction to Design, Creative Studies Week], Tecnológico de Monterrey. Mexico City, Mexico
2017 Making Matters in Civic Participation: Helsinki City Lab, City of Helsinki. Helsinki, Finland
2016 Materia y Proceso [Matter and Process: Design and Craftsmanship], Centro de Diseño, Cine y Televisión. Mexico City, Mexico
2015 Introducción al Diseño de Productos [Introduction to Product Design], Escuela Adolfo Prieto & Tecnológico de Monterrey. Nuevo León, Mexico
2015 Fábrica Lógica, La Tora Centro de Diseño y Producción. Querétaro, Mexico
2013 Práctica y Poder [Practice and Power], Blossom Design Best Designers, Galería Mexicana de Diseño. Mexico City, Mexico
Keynotes, panels, and public talks
2024 Design and Research, Plataforma Activa de Diseño, Secretaría de Cultura de Jalisco. Fora, Jalisco, Mexico
2024 Handling the Matter Together, Social Innovation Society of the London School of Economics. London, England
2023 Handling the Matter Together, Aalto University, Department of Design. Espoo, Finland
2023 Research Through (Design) Practice: An overview of methods and approaches, Aalto University Department of Art and Media. Helsinki, Finland
2022 In Pursuit of Meaning (Panel), University of the Arts London. London, England
2021 Working with local materiality (Panel moderator), ThroughObjects. Online, Instagram Live
2021 Design and Research, Facultad del Hábitat. San Luis Potosí, Mexico
2021 Design and Research, Tecnológico de Monterrey. Mexico City, Mexico
2019 Territorios del Diseño [Territories of Design] (Keynote Speech), “DI-INTEGRA" International Conference. San Luis Potosí, Mexico
2018 Collaborative Practices in Craft and Design, Workhouse Union / Design and Crafts Council of Ireland. Kilkenny, Ireland
2018 Tradición, Industria, Territorio [Tradition, Industry, Territory], Universidad de Palermo. Buenos Aires, Argentina
2017 Translating Tradition, Hong Kong Design Institute. New Territories, Hong Kong
2016 Tradición, Industria, Territorio [Tradition, Industry, Territory], Archivo Diseño y Arquitectura. Mexico City, Mexico
2016 Craftechnology (Keynote Speech), Tag CDMX. Mexico City, Mexico
2016 Craftechnology, San Luis Potosí Centenario Arts Center. San Luis Potosí, Mexico
2016 Design Networking Nights, CEDIM. Nuevo León, Mexico
2016 Connect, Create, Inspire (Panel), Ángulo Cero Gallery. Mexico City, Mexico
2015 Tradición, Industria, Territorio [Tradition, Industry, Territory] (Keynote Speech), DECODE Festival. Puebla, Mexico
2015 Tradición, Industria, Territorio [Tradition, Industry, Territory], Industrial Design Research Center CIDI-UNAM. Mexico City, Mexico
2015 Tradición, Industria, Territorio [Tradition, Industry, Territory] (Keynote Speech), Museo Franz Mayer. Mexico City, Mexico
2015 Craftechnology (Keynote Speech), “Zócalo” Design Conference. Nuevo León, Mexico
2015 Craftechnology (Keynote Speech), “PLAN B” International Conference of Architecture, Art and Design, Tecnológico de Monterrey. Puebla, Mexico
2015 Craftechnology (Keynote Speech), “Cero Coma Cero” Inter-university Deisgn Conference, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Querétaro, Mexico
2015 An outlook of the design industry in Mexico (Panel), Museo de la Ciudad, Querétaro, Mexico
2015 Diseño y Prácticas Emergentes [Design and Emerging Practices] (Panel), Tecnológico de Monterrey. Querétaro, Mexico
2014 Translating Tradition, JICA Kansai Center. Kobe, Japan
2014 Translating Tradition, Yamamoto Lab. Kyoto, Japan
2013 Binomios Creativos: Artesanos y Diseñadores [Collaborative Practices in Craft and Design] (Panel), Museo Experimental El Eco. Mexico City, Mexico
2013 Blossom Design Best Designers, Galería Mexicana de Diseño. Mexico City, Mexico
Public Interviews
2022 Pensar Haciendo Juntos (in Spanish) [Thinking Through Making Together]. Diseño y Diáspora, Helsinki, Finland
2021 Working with Local Materiality. ThroughObjects. Online, Instagram Live
2021 La Investigación de Luis (in Spanish) [Luis’s Research]. Fuera de Contexto. Mexico City, Mexico
2020 Transformar la Realidad (in Spanish) [Design as a Worldmaking Device]. Estrategia y Diseño. Madrid, Spain
2020 Diseño e Investigación (in Spanish) [Design and Research]. La Caja de Herramientas. Oaxaca, Mexico
2020 La Investigación a través del Diseño (in Spanish) [Research through Design]. CoolhunterMX. Mexico City, Mexico.
2015 Viajes y Procesos (in Spanish) [Journeys and Processes]. Conversaciones de Diseño. Mexico City, Mexico
RESEARCH OUTPUT in refereed journals AND conference proceedings
Vega, L.; Valle-Noronha, J.; Markle, G.; Latva-Somppi, R.; Hulkkonen, S.; Falin, P.; Korolainen, H-K.; Suomi, M; & Giabardo, G. (2024). Making things that change: Reconsidering the fluid nature of creative productions in research through art, design, and craft. Research in Arts and Education, 2024(1), 152–65
Vega, L.; Mäkelä, M.; & Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, P. (2023). Listening to the sociomaterial: When thinking through making extends beyond the individual. Design Studies, 88, 101203
Vega, L. (2022). Observing the Not-yet-existent: From being to becoming in design research. Dysprosium, 1, 92–105
Vega, L. (2021). Distributed Thinking Through Making: Towards a relational ontology in practice-led design research. Proceedings of the Nordic Design Research Conference NORDES 2021 “Matters of Scale”, 9(1), 270-80. ISSN: 1604-9705
Vega, L.; Aktas, B. M; Latva-Somppi, R.; Falin, P.; & Valle Noronha, J. (2021). Shared Authorship in Research through Art, Design, and Craft. Research in Arts and Education, 2021(1), 1–22
Vega, L.; Mäkelä, M.; Chen, T.; & Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, P. (2021). Moments of entanglement: Following the sociomaterial trajectories of an intersubjective studio practice. Form Akademisk - Research journal of design and design education, 14(2), ISSN: 1890-9515
Vega, L. (2020). Distributed Thinking Through Making: Prototyping a multi-sited and multi-layered assemblage of practices. Poster presented at Design Research Society International Conference (DRS), Queensland, Australia
Vega, L. (2019). Articulación de Conocimiento mediante Prácticas Colaborativas [Knowledge Articulation through Collaborative Praxes], in Universidad de Palermo (Eds.), Actas de Diseño Nº 27 [Conference Proceedings], IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Enseñanza en el Diseño [9th Latin American Conference on Design Teaching]. Buenos Aires: Universidad de Palermo, July of 2018, 1 (27) C350, ISSN: 1850-2032
Vega, L. (2018). Extending Cognition through Experimental Craft: A thrilling interplay of freedom and control, in Lucero, A.; Karyda, M.; Hirskyj-Douglas, I.; & Moslemian, O. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 14th Interaction Design Research Conference SIDER ‘18. Helsinki, May of 2018, Vol. 14, Article 6, ISBN: 978-952-60-3750-9
Vega, L. (2017). Experimental Craft with Recycled High-Density Polyethylene, in Van der Lei, A.; Aarras, T.; & Turkoglu, E. (Eds.), Crafting Plastic Waste: The Red! Red? Red’’ Project. (pp. 10-26). Helsinki: Aalto University, Department of Design
Monographs
Vega, L. (2018). Objects of Knowing: Collaborative Craft Analyzed as a Platform for Knowledge Articulation. Helsinki: Master’s Theses Collection, Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Vega, L. (2014). Translating Tradition: Modern craft examined as a mediating activity between traditional workmanship and contemporary ways of production in Japan. Self-published with the support of the Kyoto Institute of Technology and the JICA Kansai International Center. Kobe: Author
RESEARCH FUNDING, GRANTS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS
2020 Academy Project (Funded researcher). Academy of Finland, Finland
2018 Department of Design Grant (Recipient). Aalto University, Finland
2017 Aalto Mobility Scholarship (Recipient). Aalto University, Finland
2016 Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies Abroad (Recipient). National Council of Science and Technology CONACYT, Mexico
2016 Grant for Postgraduate Studies Abroad (Recipient). Mexican Foundation for Education, Technology and Science FUNED, Mexico
2014 Research Scholarship (Recipient), Training Program for the Strategic Global Partnership Mexico-Japan. National Council of Science and Technology CONACYT / Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA, Japan
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
2019 FINBA Award · The National Institute of Fine Arts Foundation, Mexico
2017 Italia Innovation Award · Innovation Foundries, Italy
2015 First Prize · Young Talent Award. ARCA, Mexico
2015 First Prize · Hotel Diseño. Corredor Cultural Roma Condesa, Mexico
2015 Honorable Mention · 8th National Design Biennial. National Institute of Fine Arts, Mexico
2015 Shortlisted · 7th National Ceramics Biennial. Museo Franz Mayer, Mexico
2014 Special Award, Design for Social Development and Innovation · 4th Ibero-American Design Biennial. DIMAD, Spain
2013 Honorable Mention · 6th National Ceramics Biennial. Museo Franz Mayer, Mexico
2012 Honorable Mention · Quórum Award, Mexico
2011 Shortlisted · 5th National Ceramics Biennial. Museo Franz Mayer, Mexico
2011 Second Prize · National Smithery Design Award. Einsenkraft, Mexico
2011 Shortlisted · National Stainless Steel Design Award. CENDI-IMINOX, Mexico
WORK FEATURED IN BOOKS
Aalto University, Department of Design (2017). Crafting Plastic Waste: Experimental Practices in Design (pp. 14-16, 72-79). Helsinki: Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture
CENTRO & ProMéxico (2012). Directorio de Diseño Mexicano [Directory of Mexican Design] (p. 259). Mexico City: CENTRO
León de la Barra, C. (2019). Colección de Momentos: Diseño en México 1999-2015 [A Collection of Memories: Design in Mexico 1999- 2015] (pp. 160, 194-197). Mexico City: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Museo Universitario del Chopo
Mallet, A. E. (2017). Silla Mexicana [Mexican Chairs] (p. 198). Mexico City: Arquine
Pitacco, P. (2021). 1000 Vases [p. 353]. Paris: Skira
Selected Press appearanceS
アイデア誌, Japan
A! Diseño, Mexico
Architectural Digest, Spain
Ambientes, Chile
Arquine, Mexico
Architonic, Switzerland
Coolhuntermx, Mexico
Core77, United States
Cose Di Casa, Italy
Czech Design, Czechia
Designaholic, Mexico
Designboom, Spain
Die Presse, Austria
Domus, Mexico-Italy
ELLE Decor, Mexico
Excélsior, Mexico
Fahrenheit, Mexico
Folio, Mexico
Gatopardo, Mexico
Glocal Design, Mexico
L’Officiel, France
Mexico Design, Mexico
Monocle, United Kingdom
Reforma, Mexico
Residence, Netherlands
Through Objects, EU
Wallpaper, United Kingdom
Yatzer, Greece
アイデア誌, Japan
A! Diseño, Mexico
Architectural Digest, Spain
Ambientes, Chile
Arquine, Mexico
Architonic, Switzerland
Coolhunter, Mexico
Core77, United States
Cose Di Casa, Italy
Czech Design, Czech Republic
Designaholic, Mexico
Designboom, Spain
Die Presse, Austria
Domus, Mexico-Italy
ELLE Decor, Mexico
Excélsior, Mexico
Fahrenheit, Mexico
Folio, Mexico
Gatopardo, Mexico
Glocal Design, Mexico
L’Officiel, France
Mexico Design, Mexico
Monocle, United Kingdom
Reforma, Mexico
Residence, Netherlands
Through Objects, EU
Wallpaper, United Kingdom
Yatzer, Greece
Design RESIDENCIES
2018 Bring Your Own Chair Residency, Design and Crafts Council of Ireland / Workhouse Union. Kilkenny, Ireland
2017 Italia Innovation Program, Innovation Foundries / Fabrica Research Center. Treviso, Italy
2014 Pottery Village Residency, Tajimi-Yaki. Gifu, Japan
2012 Manos en la Masa [Hands on Clay], Innovando la Tradición / San Agustín Arts Center CASA. Oaxaca, Mexico
Selected Exhibitions
2022 Una Modernidad hecha a Mano: Diseño artesanal en México 1952-2022, Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo MUAC. Mexico City, Mexico
2022 Disonancia Mexicana, Museo Franz Mayer. Mexico City, Mexico
2020 1000 Vases, Galerie Joseph. Paris, France
2020 Mexico & the Nordics, Adorno Gallery. Copenhagen, Denmark
2019 Mexicalidad, Mexican Cultural Institute. Washington DC, United States
2019 Prueba de Autor [Artist Proof Sale] Vol. 2, Capitales Gallery. Mexico City, Mexico
2019 Adorno: Crossovers, London Design Fair. London, England
2018 Prueba de Autor [Artist Proof Sale] Vol. 1, Capitales Gallery. Mexico City, Mexico
2018 Colección de Momentos: Diseño en México 1999-2015 [A Collection of Memories: Design in Mexico 1999-2015], Museo Universitario del Chopo. Mexico City, Mexico
2017 Red! Red? Red”: Crafting Plastic Waste, Helsinki Design Week. Helsinki, Finland
2017 Milano in Messico, Galería Mexicana de Diseño. Mexico City, Mexico
2017 Tradition & Territory, Ventura Lambrate. Milan, Italy
2016 Maison Numen: Latin Animae Vol. 1, Somerset House. London, England
2016 MXCD01: México Ciudad Diseño, Archivo Diseño y Arquitectura. Mexico City, Mexico
2016 Silla Mexicana: Diseño e Identidad [Mexican Chairs: Design and Identity], Museo Franz Mayer. Mexico City, Mexico
2016 Arca Young Talent, Zona MACO. Mexico City, Mexico
2015 8th National Design Biennial, National Institute of Fine Arts. Mexico City, Mexico
2015 7th National Ceramics Biennial, Museo Franz Mayer. Mexico City, Mexico
2015 Meeting Points: Cerámicas de Encuentros [Ceramics exhibition], Ángulo Cero. Mexico City, Mexico
2015 Tunmuk: Hecho a Mano, Hecho en México [Made by Hand, Made in Mexico], Centro Cultural San Pablo-Fundación Harp-Helú. Oaxaca, Mexico
2015 Corazón Moreno, Fuorisalone. Milan, Italy
2014 Bilateral: Mexico × Japan, Tokyo Design Week. Tokyo, Japan
2014 4th Ibero-American Design Biennial, DIMAD Matadero. Madrid, Spain
2014 Latin American Product Designers, Lati-NOS. Stuttgart, Germany
2014 De Ida y Vuelta: Diseño Contemporáneo en México [Contemporary Design in Mexico], National Arts Center CENART. Mexico City, Mexico
2014 Binomios Creativos, Zona MACO. Mexico City, Mexico
2013 Inanimal, International Business Design Fair. Mexico City, Mexico
2013 Abierto Mexicano de Diseño: Los Oficios, Torre Latinoamericana. Mexico City, Mexico
2013 6th National Ceramics Biennial, Museo Franz Mayer. Mexico City, Mexico
2013 Casa Gutiérrez Nájera: 55cm, Zona MACO. Mexico City, Mexico
2012 Destination: Mexico, MoMA Design Store. New York, United States
2012 Take & Wait, Design Week México. Mexico City, Mexico
2011 5th National Ceramics Biennial, Museo Franz Mayer. Mexico City, Mexico