michael felix

mfelix@objcts.com · resumé · twitter · tumblr

PROFILE

michael felix is a design scientist working within the fields of interaction, environmental, and systems design. his interests lie more within the development of adaptive systems over static images and pre-visualized concepts designed for aesthetics alone. this focus has grown from his attraction toward emergent processes - specifically the study of ecological systems and their effectiveness in gradually unfolding order and function. through his work, he seeks to apply a similar living process towards the deployment of expressive frameworks that evolve form and behavior as a result of local context.

INTERESTS

his present research interests center around the application of sound as a medium for conveying data, and the utilization of extrapersonal space as a canvas for conducting human/computer interaction. he also maintains an interest in developing parametric spaceframe systems for the fabrication of geodesic domes and other nature-inspired geometric forms. beyond design, michael also records and performs electronic music under the % (pronounced owner/operator) moniker.

WORK

michael began his career as the lead interaction designer at Revelation in portland, oregon. under his supervision, he guided the user research and iterative design process behind a complete redesign of the company's existing online qualitative research platform. in addition to interaction design, he also developed Revelation's brand identity through an array of interactive, exhibit, and print-based marketing projects.

having established EFFALO in 2010, michael has since lead the research and design organization in the production of a diverse range of endeavors, ranging from velosynth - a bicycle interaction synthesizer, to MAKERFACTORY - a crowdsourced manufacturing service.

in 2011, michael co-founded /parallelogram/ with trent gill as an outlet for interactive music software and released mlrv 2, a software instrument for grid-based music controllers. michael also consults as the interaction designer for fulcrum, where he collaboratively generates product and service systems for a range of corporate clientele.

BIOGRAPHY

1983 born in birmingham, alabama
1999 first job, computer programming
2001 studied computer science
2003 worked in a power plant
2004-05 undergraduate degree in environmental design
2005-07 masters degree in industrial design
2007 relocated to portland, oregon
2007-10 employed as lead interaction designer @ Revelation
2010 founded EFFALO
2011 arrived in brooklyn, new york
2011 co-founded /parallelogram/
2011 relocated to asheville, north carolina
2012 adjunct professor @ James Madison University

ACTIVITIES

1996 odyssey of the mind world finals in aimes, iowa
1997 odyssey of the mind world finals in baltimore, maryland
2009 performance at monomeet in princeton, new jersey, as %
2010 velosynth kickstarter
2010 artist-in-residency @ monome farm in delhi, new york
2011 artist-in-residency @ makerbot in brooklyn, new york
2011 mentioned in a NY Times article
2011 core77 curiosity club presentation in portland, oregon
2011 domekit.cc kickstarter

PUBLICATIONS

domekit.cc

2011, system · visit website →

parametric software tools and self-adjusting connector systems for making geodesic structures of human-scale proportion.

mlrv 2

2011, interface · visit website →

mlrv is a software instrument for grid-based music controllers (like the monome, livid ohm/block, novation launchpad, etc). the software allows a sound file or live recording to be mapped across each row and assigned a triggering behavior. a refactoring of brian crabtree's original mlr, extended in collaboration with trent gill.

MAKERFACTORY

2010, service · design process →   visit website →

a free service for connecting the emerging network of localized fabrication technologies with people who need stuff 3d printed, CNC'ed, or otherwise made. in a craigslist-style fashion, requests for making services can be posted and replied to for a maximum of three weeks.

velosynth

2010, system · design process →   visit website →

velosynth is an open-source bicycle interaction synthesizer. it's a small, hackable computer that augments the cycling experience by interpreting speed, acceleration, and other sensor data into useful audio feedback.

Revelation

2007-2010, lead interaction designer · visit website →

at Revelation, i was tasked with designing an interface for the capture and analysis of human experience. as the sole designer embedded in an agile/xp development environment, i oversaw the iterative design process responsible for gradually enhancing the software and extending it into a mobile application. in addition to interaction design, i also developed Revelation's visual brand identity through an array of interactive, exhibit, and print-based marketing projects.