Christian Zöllner

Christian Zöllner (b. 1981) is Professor of Design Methods and Experimentation in the Industrial Design program at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle (BURG) since 2018. He leads the Design in Digital Contexts specialization and co-directs the research studio The Constitute with offices in Berlin and Dresden. His educational background includes a Diploma in Product Design from Dresden University of Applied Sciences (2007).

Zöllner's research explores experimental approaches to industrial design, focusing on:

• Open-source manufacturing and decentralized production systems
• Critical design frameworks examining technology's societal impact
• Digital fabrication techniques (CAD/CAM/CNC processes)
• Creative technology applications in rural contexts (e.g., Fabmobil project)
• Design fiction methodologies for speculative futures

He maintains active collaborations with science, art, and industry partners through The Constitute studio. His pedagogical approach emphasizes hands-on experimentation, interdisciplinary projects, and developing new business models for open-design practices.

Zöllner has taught internationally at institutions including Rietveld Academy Amsterdam, HUST Wuhan (China), and Berlin University of the Arts. He regularly conducts global workshops on rapid prototyping, science fiction in design, and social design methodologies.