Our Why
Design is never neutral; every decision shapes how people live, relate, and imagine their futures. We believe in stewardship and responsibility. Our mission is to move beyond what is merely possible toward "planning the good." By grounding design in the pursuit of human flourishing, we ensure that the objects of tomorrow promote integral development and a better world.
What We Do
At Contemplate Design Lab, we investigate the profound reciprocity between humans and the objects they create. We develop design theories, frameworks, & methodologies that scrutinize the purpose of tools and systems. Our work manifests in two primary ways:
- Scholarly Contribution: Advancing the field through academic publications and lectures on the nature of design activity.
- Speculative Artefacts: Creating objects not as commercial products, but as "artefacts from a possible future"—physical catalysts for reflection that challenge us to imagine a life well-lived.
How We Do It
We bridge the gap between abstract philosophy and technical execution through a rigorous, principle-based approach:
We develop theories on the design activity based on fundamental principles, expressed through frameworks and methodologies to serve academia and industry through publications, talks, and artefacts.
Artefacts are objects for reflection, to serve the purpose of motivating humans to live the good life. The concepts presented are not meant to be taken as a product, rather as an artefact from a possible future.
- Fundamental Inquiry: We start by questioning the necessity of "needs," asking which are truly worth solving for the sake of human development.
- Critical Making: We use reason and technical skill to build frameworks that engage with complexity rather than bypassing it.
We develop theories on the design activity based on fundamental principles, expressed through frameworks and methodologies to serve academia and industry through publications, talks, and artefacts.
Artefacts are objects for reflection, to serve the purpose of motivating humans to live the good life. The concepts presented are not meant to be taken as a product, rather as an artefact from a possible future.
Who We Are
The Contemplate Design Lab was founded by Savio M. Mukachirayil, a design theorist and Assistant Professor of Design at the University of Illinois. His work focuses on the broader implications of design on integral human development.
The lab operates on an apprenticeship model, where Savio works closely with a select group of hand-picked student designers who demonstrate both high technical potential and a commitment to core human values. We are a community of thinkers and makers dedicated to the ethics of creation.
The lab operates on an apprenticeship model, where Savio works closely with a select group of hand-picked student designers who demonstrate both high technical potential and a commitment to core human values. We are a community of thinkers and makers dedicated to the ethics of creation.
Get in touch.
If our values align and you are interested in creating a future rooted in human flourishing, we invite you to reach out for shared initiatives, research collaborations, or speaking engagements.