Mareike Gast studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and graduated from the Design Academy Eindhoven in Industrial Design in 2005.
During her studies she passed internships with paper designer Eriko Horiki (Japan), the wind-up-radio company Freeplay (South Africa), Vogt+Weizenegger (Berlin) and Carmeq / subsidary of Volkswagen (Berlin). From 2006 to 2010 she worked as a freelancer inter alia for Nicola Stattmann (Frankfurt), responsible for many product developments.
Since 2011 she runs her own office with an emphasis on new materials and technologies.
Mareike Gast
Industrial Design
Elbestr. 10 HH
basis frankfurt
60329 Frankfurt am Main
mareike (at) mareikegast.de
tel +49 69 24182759
mobile +49 177 2635557
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10/2012
Designers' Open Leipzig / curator of the conference and special exhibition 'smart technology - new design'
After the successfull conference and special exhibition at DO/Industry 2011 - we are going into a second round. This year's topics were natureTEC, ENERGetic and inMOTION: Growing mobility and an increase in energy demands with diminishing resources mean that designers are facing stirring challenges.
visit the DO website >
download the conference programme >
download the special exhibition flyer >
inMOTION // In a world that is always moving faster, the demand for mobility constantly increases. But how much mobility does a human being really need? Where does our constant need for mobility throughout the world come from? And how can we assuage it today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow? inMOTION takes a look at new technological possibilities for the design of intelligent systems of mobile data, mobile areas and environments and products meant for a mobile society.
ENERGetic // Where does our energy come from? And why do we need it? What does real alternative production and clean use of energy look like? In the future, will we remain dependent on determined power networks or will we be able to supply ourselves? ENERGetic spotlights self-sufficient production processes and products as well as their utilisation, explores design possibilities, looks into new approaches instead of energy sources for the masses, and discusses the potential of new energy sources such as algae.
natureTEC // We make bread with yeast-bacteria and wash our clothes with enzymes, but nature has so much more to offer. What would products created by microbes, glowing through movement or self-producing their energy, look like? What happens when natural movements and transformations serve as a manufacturing process and a means of design? natureTEC examines nature carefully as a provider, model and producer. Focus will be made on themes such as evolutionary and bionic principles, renewable resources, self-production, self-repair and self-destruction.
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Photo: Matthias Ritzmann / Designers' Open 20112
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Photo: Matthias Ritzmann / Designers' Open 2012
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Photo: Matthias Ritzmann / Designers' Open 2012
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Photo: Matthias Ritzmann / Designers' Open 2012
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The historic Textilmanufaktur is moving into a new building - back to its old site and origin: the design school Burg Giebichenstein. For the fassade design and a sun shield the idea evolved to create a custom-made textile. This would not only turn the inside of the building outside and give the Textilmanufaktur a unique and particular appearance but also shift the Textilmanufaktur‘s tradition of handmade textile art into forward-looking technical textiles, which however retain their artistic quality.
In order to make this possible I developed a concept for suitable materials and technologies. The research focussed firstly on technical aspects such as UV-, weather, tear- and fire resistance. The second practical parameter was the feasibility despite small quantities and customisation. The third – of course – the broad design-ability transferred from other textile industries.
The results reach from PTFE and coloured glass fibres to fire-resistant and tensile PES yarns in combination with 3D-knitting, multi-axial technology, leno weave, warp knitting and hand weaving.
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warp knitting samples
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material and technology concept book with sample box
Textile design and textile art students developed in a week‘s workshop first ideas based on this research. In a competition 5 designs were selected. The realisation of a prototype is the next step.
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by Robert Filipski
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by Robert Filipski
winning entry by textil art student Robert Filipski

Designers' Open 2011, DO/Industry from Jan Hartmann on Vimeo.


Photo: Matthias Ritzmann / Designers' Open 2011
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01/2011
opening office mareike gast
current projects are confidential during development but will be shown here soon
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4/2006-12/2010
work as a freelance product designer at Nicola Stattmann:
collaboration in the following projects:
2008-2010
Bauerfeind / Development of the innovative insole ErgoPad weightflex
For the renowned manufacturer of medical products Bauerfeind a long-time development led to the innovative insole ErgoPad weightflex. Using complex tooling orthotic cores are manufactured with variable stiffness thanks to the implemented weightflex-X. Therefore the insoles are adaptable to different body weights and shoes with higher heels.
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The two-component injection moulding with specially modified materials allows a high range of variations for individual foot conditions despite the automation of the manufacturing process.
Visually the product communicates its high quality and complex functionality and thereby appeals to not only the orthopaedic technician but also the enduser. The insoles evolve from medical supplies to a elegant premium must-have.
The development process was supported creatively and intensely from the first idea to the serial production.
for and with Nicola Stattmann
Bauerfeind-Weightflex 3D-ENG from Cliptomanix on Vimeo.
2006-2009
Volkswagen AG / Concepts for Future Car Engineering
research of new materials and technologies / lightweight construction, integration of functions, reduction of components, energy efficiency / discussion and substantiation with international researchers and institutions / development of two technology concepts / roadmap
2009
Book: UNFOLDED Paper in Design, Art, Architecture and Industry

editorial staff of the material and technology section based on the exhibition PaperLab
2008-2010
Bauerfeind / Development of Orthopedic Shoe Insoles and Diabetic Shoes
development and design of new products in the field of foot orthoses / use of the latest technologies and materials
2009
Wilkhahn / Material Concept for Chair Chassis
2008
Samsung Design Europe / New Materials / Technologies for Mobile Phones
development of compendium of future technologies and material srelevant for mobile phones / smart and lightweight materials – with a minimum of ecological harm, less size, less weight, less energy consumption combined with more capabilities / development of concepts, which demonstrate these material-technology-combinations and their possible effect on form, function and aesthetics to communicate the potential innovation
2007
PaperLab - Funtional Paper for 3d Products / Special Exhibition on The Design Annual
100 exhibits of high-tech paper and paper technologies for lightweight constructions with integrated functions in product design and architecture / including foamed, ceramic, robot-folded and injection moulded paper
2007-2008
Merten / Schneider Electric / New Materials for Switches and Sockets
development of a material- and technology-strategy / combination of several materials in one collection / finding an overall material language and aesthetics
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2005
Broken Shelves
the new structure that appears through the broken shelves gives space to differently sized books and allow them to lean. one element provides a place to sit and read inside the shelves.

material: black mdf, oiled / steel t-profile frame, powdercoated


the shelves are constructed like a sandwich, made of two steel frames consisting of t-profiles and grooved black mdf inbetween. the construction allows a very easy assembly and the transportation as a flatpack, which reduces the size to a third.

in areas, where no electricity is available, communication over long distances is by far more difficult. especially in refugee camps reliable information is difficult to obtain.
for such a context I have designed the refugee radio. it is energy-atarkic since it is run by the radio-waves themselves. the necessary technology is cheap, very reliable and relatively environmentally friendly.
I gave consideration to the adaptability to different situation and the cultural context: the radio works in its paper packaging, but can be adpated in the long run by replacing the cover with different materials.
who does not like to sit near the radiator on cold winter days? this radiator is the updated version of a tile stove which is possible due to modern low temperatur heatings. it is especcialy useful in long cold school corridors during break time.

During the two-weeks experimental workshop gained in insight the potential of bio-composites. They created extremely lightweight stools by weaving, knitting, braiding, crocheting and folding natural yarns or fibers and coating it with self-made bioplastic.

winded stool by Elisabet Kristin Oddsdottir and Kristin Klara Gretarsdottir


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the workshop aimed at small architectural concepts by upcycling left-overs, waste and used materials. making use of just one process step product like dwellings derived – with a completey new aesthetics
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outdoor shower made of recycled cork for its antibacterial qualities by Ina Asmussen, Anita Dirmeier, Therese Schmid
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bike rack made of used packing straps with winding by Andreas Rottmaier, Sebastian Merkl, Philipp Mayer, Johannes Harkness
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09/2011
Iceland Academy of the Arts / Teaching the Seminar in Industrial Design: BIOBOWLS
experimental workshop using selfmade bioplastic
During the three weeks workshop the first year students experimented with selfmade bioplastic using and inventing various recipes. Taking the simple bowl shape as a starting point they molded, pressed, baked or reinforced the plastic with flakes, wool, different threads, made sheets to use in origami foldings and loads more. These experiments led to three great concepts:

Picknick Basket: reinforced bioplastic with woven/knitted cotton or woolen thread
by Búi Bjamar A∂alsteinson, Sigrí∂ur Halla Gu∂mundsdóttir and Ingvar Björn Þorsteinsson

Rose Seed 'Bomb': special soil and nutricious bioplastic to grow a rose first inside and then plant it outside
by Kristín Gu∂mundsdóttir, Sigurjón Axelsson and Katrín Magnúsdóttir

Rabbit House: building puzzle made with rabbit food to take a bite from
by Björk Gunnbjörnsdóttir, Ágústa Sveinsdóttir and Thelma Hrund Benediktsdóttir
Organic electronics, being one of the most promising fields in material and technology research, are especially interesting for industrial designers since their new possibilities will not just change the products but also their handling, interaction and service completely.
In Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, where Halle is located, great research activities in the field of organic electronics are taking place. Visiting several companies and institutes around Halle was the starting point of this project.
Having gained an insight in the current developments but also in the developments to be expected within the next years, the students were asked to develop and design ultra-lightweight, energy-autarkic, mobile and forward-looking products which make use of printed, organic electronics in their broadest sense.
Hereby questions arose, like: Does a cheap technology like printing necessarily produce cheap disposables or how do printed high-end products look like? Can a flexible substrate like paper or foil with organic electronics be shaped with traditional methods and what is the result of that contrast? How does the user interact with flexible electronics? What if printed organic electronics are recyclable or bio-degradable? How do products function and look like that are custom-printed?
Here the complete results in a pdf >
The results were presented in the Poster Session on the LOPE-C, Large-area, Organic and Printed Electronics Convention, in Franfurt 06/2011:


students discussing their ideas with scientists
Walburga Quittel, Natalia Wiebe: circus with 2d/3d embroidered functional yarns

Beate Popfinger, Cordula Bayer: mobile, energy autarkic ice-cream stand using printed funtionality on EAP foil, which folds like Origami

Olga Batt, Stephanie Müller: extruded open-plan chicken house from clay and

self-made rotational moulding machine

Moritz Heller: hot water bottle
Florian Schweitzer: shower gel container that can be fixed to the tiles
Anja Neidhardt: watering-can for elderly people
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06/2013
die form: Article on Material Research
Printed Organic Electronics
(Dünn, Flexibel, Bunt, Transparent)


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04/2013
Publication in the book 'Seemless Transitions' in the series 'displaying futures' by Sign Kommunikation
of the project 'POLYTRONICS / Electronic, Autarkic Products – Printed like a Newspaper' for the Burg Giebichenstein Halle
in the article 'We are surrounded – When computers seemingly
disappear and theings learn to think' by Luzia Kälin and Didier Knösel


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04/2013
die form: Article on Material Research
Our Textile Futures
(Die Suche nach der textilen Zukunft)

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02/2013
die form: Article on Material Research
Pump It Up
(Pneumatische Textilien)


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12/2012
die form: Article on Material Research
Green Polystyrene
(Partikelschaum – ultraleicht und jetzt auch grün)

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11/2012
Medientechnisches Kolloquium TU Chemnitz pmTUC:
talk: Design + Research = Cross Innovation
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11/2012
Innovationswerkstatt Wirtschaft in Dresden: Surfaces
talk: Functional Surface – Innovative Surface Materials and Technologies from a Designer's Point of View
> link to HighTech Startbahn Netzwerk
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10/2012
die form: Article on Material Research
Intelligent Fabrics, E-Broidery, Energy Skins
(In neuem Gewand)

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09/2012
Hessen Nanotech: Materialien für Neue Energien
talk: Polytronics – printed, organic electronics for autarkic future products
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09/2012
Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle
Jury: GiebichenStein Designpreis
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09/2012
Iceland Academy of the Arts
lecture on: Tomorrow's Materials - from Today's Waste
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08/2012
die form: Article on Material Research
Upcycling: From Crab Shells to Orange Skins

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07/2012
Smart Materials for Design and Architecture / red dot design museum Essen
talk: POLYTRONICS – Electronic, Autarkic Products - Printed like a Newspaper
visit the website >
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11/2011
Printing Future Days / Technical University Chemnitz
poster session chair
and lecture: Polytronics: Thin, flexible, colourful, transparent, foldable - the potentials of printed organic electronics from a designer's point of view

visit the printing future days website >
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09/2011
Hönnunarmiðstöð Íslands / Iceland Design Center
lecture: Polytronics: Thin, flexible, colourful, transparent, foldable - the potentials of printed organic electronics from a designer's point of view
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08/2011
Museum of Communication, Frankfurt / Berlin
refugee radion in the exhibition: DIY - Die Mitmach-Revolution
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12/2010
Galery Stihl, Waiblingen
lecture: paper goes 3d...the versatility of paper in product design
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01/2009
contractworld Hannover
lecture: new materials and technologies in product design
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01/2009
AIT: Innovation Award „Architecture and Floor“
memeber of jury
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2008
School of Art and Design Kassel
lecture: sustainable materials / technologies for kitchen tools
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2007
Publication in the book "Furnish" by Sophie Lovell / Gestalten Verlag
with the project Broken Shelves
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