Tobias Kappeler

Specialized in Furniture Design.

Tobias Kappeler

About Tobias Kappeler

Tobias is an interaction and experience designer working at the intersection of craft, technology & design developing innovative products, applications and services that connect and empower people. His curious personality and persistence allowed him to transition between craft-based metalwork, construction management, mixed reality design and audio experience design, taking a multidisciplinary approach to design. His keen eye for details, prototyping workflow and passion for user-centred design give him a unique edge in developing innovative solutions that seamlessly integrate into people's lives. Before pursuing the MA/MSc in Innovation Design Engineering, Tobias completed a BA in Process Design at HyperWerk in Switzerland, where he designed and developed virtual reality (VR) applications in the field of design and education. Tobias has eight years of training and professional experience as a metal worker and construction manager, specialising in designing new, and retrofitting existing, public and private spaces. Tobias is an audio enthusiast, music producer and DJ who is fascinated by the emotional energy sounds can release and the universal language of music that exists across cultures and societies.

  • Winner of 2 A' Design Awards.
  • Specialized in Furniture Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Furniture
  • Mobile
Haragana Lounge Chair

Haragana Lounge Chair

Furniture Design

Dinkum Mobile Application

Dinkum Mobile Application

Mobile Design

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Interview with Tobias Kappeler

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I have a cross-disciplinary background in metalwork, construction management, Post-industrial design and Innovation Design Engineering. As a trained metalworker, I know how to precisely work with my hands and use them to rapidly prototype and test ideas. I enjoy the process of making things and building in 3D. However, I wanted to have an impact on people and am interested in emerging technologies which led me to study Post-industrial design with a focus on process design. I did a double master's MSc/MA in Innovation Design Engineering, which taught me the value of experimentation and user testing in all project stages. I did not always know I wanted to be a designer, however, I'm very much enjoying it, and I'm happy I chose this path.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I enjoy both physical and digital products - from furniture to mixed reality software. What matters for me is that people can interact with it, and it makes their lives easier and adds a sense of delight.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
My favourite material is probably metal, specifically steel, stainless steel or aluminium because when deformed correctly, you can create durable and complex structures. And I'm also very familiar with the material which helps. I'm fascinated by immersive technologies as they bring upon a new interaction design paradigm and allow people to interact in a new way while being remote. This can have a significant impact on our planet but also on human interactions, in a positive and negative way.
When do you feel the most creative?
When working with people from different disciplines and we share the same goal or late at night when I'm alone.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I try to follow an experimental and iterative design process based on user research and feedback. I try to prototype in all stages of the design process, from the first sketches to the final interfaces, with the aim to fail often and fail early. I try not to follow a strict methodology but rather understand and adapt to the context and the situation keeping the end user and the environment in mind.
What skills are most important for a designer?
To understand and empathize with the people who you are designing for and what our planetary boundaries are.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
The early stages of projects which require you to navigate an ambiguous space to define the problem/opportunity. I find these stages very stimulating and enjoy the ideation process and proving if something is worth exploring further.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I'm currently working as a UX prototyper at XYZ Reality which leverages augmented reality on the construction site. I enjoy my work, the team and what we do a lot!
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I work better when collaborating with others as I believe that a multidisciplinary approach provides a more holistic approach to design.

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