Hi! I'm Leon, an interaction designer based in Zurich. I work at the intersection of design, research, and technology – with a focus on making complex systems legible and questioning the structures that shape how we live and decide.

PROTO - LICHEN (2025)

Material Exploration, Concept Development

Python, Blender, Touchdesigner

Urban heat islands in Zurich, caused by concrete and asphalt, worsen temperature rise, energy demand, air quality, and health risks. Traditional greening methods like trees or moss require space, water, and maintenance, which doesn’t make them suitable for dense cities. Instead we decided to focus on lichens, resilient organisms thriving in extreme conditions with minimal upkeep. By imagining a biomaterial inspired by lichens, we propose a sustainable solution to cool cities and rethink our relationship with nature.

As part of the Course “Ecological Interactions”, MA Program Interaction Design at Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK)

exhibited at Ars Electronica 2025 as part of the Campus Exhibition “Not Plan B” (Linz, AT)

in collaboration with
Massimo Bordogna
Vera Bardin
Sacha Schwarz

Supervising Lecturers:
Prof. Dr. Karmen Franinović
Dr. Joëlle Bitton
Luke Franzke
Duy Bui

Advisors:
Dr. Shem Johnson
Daniel Moshel
Dr. Dominik Refardt
Dr. Monica Andrea Garcia Otalora
Dr. Arjun Khakar
Dr. Ilse Kranner
Yuling Yue
Nafsika Efklidou
Dr. Michael Betenbaugh

leon.junge@me.com