Tim Parsons

Tim Parsons is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Designed Objects program in the Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects at School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). He co-founded Parsons & Charlesworth, a design studio exploring speculative and critical design. His academic roles include teaching product design at SAIC and prior institutions like University of the Arts London and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Education:
- BA, 1996, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK
- MA, 2000, Royal College of Art, London (Design Products)

Research & Practice:
- Focuses on speculative design, sustainability, and future imaginaries through projects like Catalog for the Post-Human (addressing post-human futurism) and Multispecies Inc. (exploring non-human-centric living).
- Engages with climate adaptation, material experimentation (e.g., pewter collaborations), and design fiction to provoke critical discourse.

Awards:
- Pewter Product of the Year 2005 for dip-casting designs with A.R. Wentworths.

Teaching:
- Courses include Designed Objects Studio One (foundation design skills) and Designing Distant Studio (speculative design for systemic change).
- Emphasizes iterative design processes, prototyping, and research-driven creativity.

Exhibitions & Projects:
- Featured in global venues: Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Istanbul Design Biennial, MAAT Lisbon, and Design Museum London.
- Recent works include Future Climate Souvenirs (climate adaptation satire) and Algae Kin-Gatherer (multispecies sanctuary).

Studio & Collaborations:
- Parsons & Charlesworth partners with institutions (e.g., Venice Architecture Biennale) and universities for workshops and speculative design initiatives.