Dr Magdalena Karasinska’s nomadic experience served as a valuable starting point for her creative and practice-led research PhD project called ‘Smoosh.’
Smoosh is a conceptual design for flatpack shoes designed for a digital nomad lifestyle characterised by frequent travel.
“It provides a novel construction system with fully functional pieces that expand footwear versatility. Smoosh incorporates adaptive features that allow for convenient packing, unliketraditional footwear, which can be bulky and difficult to pack,” Dr Karasinska says.
Dr Karasinska’s design practice was initially spread across a number of European countries.
“I had to travel frequently for work, mostly between Poland and Italy, and also travelled often for leisure. Eventually my design practice transitioned into remote work from anywhere. It was way ahead of time, long before the working-from-home trend gained popularity or was enforced. As research into designing for nomads is still a relatively scarce area, I wanted to contribute to this emerging space.”
The project name ‘Smoosh’ came about as it reflects the act of compressing or ‘smooshing’ the shoes for travel, embodying the travel-friendly nature of the footwear.
“My findings and conceptual exploration could be useful for other adaptable products catering to digital nomads, products with increased versatility or products that can be conveniently packed.”
Initially, Dr Karasinska set out to research nomadic furniture and says she was surprised that she ended up with conceptual adaptable footwear research.
“It is a good reminder to trust the design process, be vigilant to latent needs and to vigorously react to the everchanging market needs. I think that’s relevant to any thorough up-to-date research, as well as any long-term endeavour,” she says.
Since Dr Karasinska finished her PhD, she has worked on projects that bridge science and design.
“These include dental Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), electric aircraft engine display models and objects for Tūhura Tuarangi Otago Museum.”
Dr Karasinska is originally from Warsaw, Poland and graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw with a Master of Fine Arts before she made the move to Wellington.
Her Master’s project on furniture set for relaxation in the workplace was chosen by the European League of Institutes of The Arts as one of the best in Europe.
Find out more about Dr Karasinska’s past and future projects here: www.magdalenakarasinska.com
