Short Bio

Felix Hardmood Beck studied visual communication with focus on media and exhibition design at the Berlin University of the Arts. He graduated (2007) with the degree Diplom Designer (equivalent to MA) and received the terminal degree Meisterschüler (2011) under the patronage of Prof. Joachim Sauter [→].

Since 2001, Felix has gained extensive practical experience in media design and user experience. He has collaborated with several well-known German design agencies and architectural studios on various projects, which have been featured in art and design publications, as well as festivals and exhibitions worldwide. Currently, as an independent design director, he works with clients from both the business and cultural sectors, developing and executing designs for products and services, as well as creating engaging media environments and interactive installations for showrooms, trade fairs, exhibitions, and museums. He has a passion for sharing his knowledge and experiences, which has led him to travel and lecture at institutions across the globe and collaborate with international research groups.

From 2015 to 2020 he full-time served as Assistant Professor of Practice of Design at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) teaching courses that focused on art, design, technology, and innovation. During this time, he kick-started two research labs, namely the NTSI Lab and the Plastic Lab, which he led as the principal investigator until 2020. During this time he initiated various internship and volunteer programs, and integrated more than 50 student research assistants into his work. His research results and findings were published in scientific papers, posters, research conferences, art exhibitions, and design festivals. Living in the UAE from 2015 to 2020, he provided consultancy services to several federal ministries, governmental departments, and partners in the United Arab Emirates, focusing on the areas of design and innovation. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was awarded the WSN Faculty Fellowship by New York University in 2019. Since 2020 Felix Beck is Visiting Research Professor at NYU Abu Dhabi.  Read this summary of accomplishments at NYUAD.

In 2020 he moved with his family from the UAE back to Germany. Read more information here. In Fall 2020 he got appointed as Full Professor (life tenure) at the University of Applied Sciences, Münster School of Design (MSD) [→], where he teaches the Foundations of Design. In his continuing research activities he investigates with his students and project collaborators systems, spaces and physical properties of artefacts and materials to envision scenarios and pioneer use-cases for the interaction of humans through media and deployed Narrative Technologies. Over the years, Felix has received over 730.000 USD in research grants and related funding for different projects. Read more on Felix’s academic involvement at www.hardmood.info.

Felix has affiliations with the following research centers:

        – IKFM | Institute for Construction and Functional Materials (University of Applied Sciences Münster, GER)
       – CITIES | Center for interacting Urban Networks (NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE)
        – Dhakira Center for Heritage Studies in the UAE (NYU Abu Dhabi, UAE)

Felix has forged a robust partnership with Dharma Life Labs, an incubator that fosters research and development by utilizing cutting-edge insights, analytics, and technology to enhance the quality of rural life and promote inclusive progress in India.