Are you looking for an industrial designer who focuses on people and engages with topics like society, politics, and inclusion? Then you've come to the right place!

Design for all...

Good design can have a positive impact on our society. When design includes all members of society, it naturally counteracts systemic exclusion of minorities and marginalized groups.

In my work as a designer, the principles of universal design and the exploration of inclusion are particularly close to my heart. We designers have the responsibility to consider political, social, and ecological aspects in our work.

Master thesis al!n - the bag for everyone

About me

I am Anja Lietzau, an industrial designer from Munich. In my design work, I focus on political, social, and ecological issues and see design as an opportunity to influence societal change. During my Master's studies in Advanced Design/Design Research and in my Master's thesis on "Inclusion through Design," I deeply explored design in a societal context and universal design.

Vita

My Projects

According to studies, 90 percent of Germans consider diversity and integration important. Our world is multicultural and diverse, so people with physical disabilities should be addressed by design just like everyone else. We are not only obligated by the Basic Law and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to promote participation and accessibility, but it also has positive and relieving effects on society. With new manufacturing methods, cutting-edge technologies, or mechanical solutions, designers can significantly ease people's everyday lives. In the following projects, I will demonstrate the various ways design can be inclusive.

Inclusion - Why good design is inclusive

METAKO - Scoliosis Corset

Le Clip - Le Crochet

Crutch holders

al!n - a bag for everyone

Everyone knows the struggle with grandparents' outings: crutches and walking sticks are leaned against chair backs and tables, get in the way, or fall to the ground. People have to step over them, avoid them, or bend down to pick them up again. Not ideal for the environment of mobility-impaired individuals! Le Clip and Le Crochet solve this problem! They are crutch holders that securely keep mobility aids in place and can be used in different scenarios, depending on the user's preference.

The Metako scoliosis corset is made of an innovative plastic that transitions from a hard to a soft material. This creates a comfortable transition to sensitive body areas despite the hard support structure that counteracts the curvature of the spine in scoliosis patients. Through generative design and 3D printing, affected individuals can choose cool designs they can better identify with.

The master's thesis "Inclusion through Design" examines how designers can have a positive impact on an inclusive society through universal design. For example, the wheelchair bag al!n not only allows users to safely transport items with their wheelchair but can also be used as a bike bag or backpack.

Freequency - the smart hearing aid

Freequency is a hearing protection device with an integrated hearing aid, individually tailored to the users. Through linear noise attenuation, people such as factory workers can stay in constantly noisy environments without harm. However, specific frequencies can be added via the hearing aid through the associated app, allowing important signals like emergency calls or voices to be heard.

Because we're all part of this society.

My awards

1st Place at the Fraunhofer Innovation Competition "FORM FOLLOWS FUTURE" with the product idea "METAKO - Scoliosis Corset"

2nd Place at the SIEMENS Home Appliances Design Award with the concept "MagicGlove - the smart kitchen glove"

3rd Place at the James Dyson Award on a national level

1st Place at the EOS Project "Entrepreneurship and Digital Sculpting" in cooperation with the Stracheg-Center

Contact

If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to contact me using the following form: