Anna Maier

Disciplin: Industridesign

Stipendieår: 2026

Nominerande institution: Konstfack

Nomineringskommitté: Martín Avila (Professor & Konstnärlig ledare) Carl-Johan Vesterlund (Universitetslektor & Programansvarig för masterprogrammet Design Ecologies) Ingrid Troiero (Universitetslektor & Programansvarig för kandidatprogrammet i Industridesign)

Stipendiestiftelse: Jubelfonden

In her master thesis project ’Pretty Toxic’ Anna Maier explores the matter of invasive alien species as overlooked material resources. Focussing on Giant hogweed - a toxic species recognized as one of the world’s most dangerous fast growing invasive species - the project investigates how its biomass, typically removed or discarded as waste, can be sourced, processed, and applied without contributing to further ecological imbalance. Designing a symbiotic cultivation scenario with sheep, developing functional materials and proposing a possible application based on the investigated material properties Anna has designed a collection of monohedral ceiling and wall panels designed for interior spaces- a modular structure that respond directly to contemporary architectural challenges such as poor air quality, overheating, noise, and moisture accumulation. Anna Maier’s talent as designer has been clear during her studies at the MA Design Ecologies, talent which has become even more explicit through her degree project as she articulates systems thinking by designing products, services, and systems that in a coordinated way give leverage at different scales of a complex challenge.