tomaz tijerina konja
i am an industrial designer who works across disciplines, combining hands-on making with a deep interest in discursive and experimental design.
about
read more →
design
teamwork
tomazkonja@gmail.com
@tomazkonja
about
I am an industrial designer by training, but I see myself as a designer in the broadest sense. My work moves fluidly between commercial problem-solving, hands-on craft, and discursive or experimental projects that question how we relate to the world around us. Although I hesitate to call myself an artist, my strongest fascinations in design often live in the territories where art and design overlap, where objects prompt reflection, conversation, and curiosity.
Learning is at the core of my practice. I am constantly drawn to new materials, new techniques, and new ways of thinking. This is part of why discursive design resonates with me: it creates space for dialogue and allows objects to become catalysts for understanding rather than simply solutions to problems. Making is equally central. I value the physical act of shaping materials and being directly involved in the creation of the work, whether that means woodworking, stitching, prototyping, or digital modeling.
Beauty and clarity guide my decisions. I believe that thoughtful form and considered detail can communicate as deeply as words. While social criticism sometimes appears in my work, it is never meant to divide. Instead, I use design as a way to foster growth, empathy, and awareness. Community matters to me, and I hope my work contributes to a world where design is a tool for connection and improvement.
I am on a lifelong journey of learning, making, and building relationships. Collaboration plays a significant role in that journey. Working with others allows ideas to evolve, hurdles to be shared, and growth to become a collective experience. Through design, I aim to create meaningful objects and meaningful conversations—both rooted in the belief that we can shape a better future together.
University of Michigan
BFA in Art & Design
Universitat de Vic
Design Thinking Course
Kent State University
Architecture
2023-2026
Ann Arbor, MI
May 2025
Barcelona, ES
2022-2023
Kent, OH
Osman Khan Studio
Design Intern
STAMPS School of Art & Design
Sculpture Studio Coordinator
2025
Detroit, MI
2025
Ann Arbor, MI
2025
2025
2025
2024
2024
2024
Integrated Product Development
Designer
Familiar Faces
Designer, Art Director
Kreate-Kit
Designer, Creative Director
plunder // blunder
Director, Writer, Gaffer, Producer, Editor
Careless Wisher
Art Director, Gaffer, Producer, Co-Writer, Editor
Government Assault
Art Director, Cinematographer, Writer,
2025
2024
James B. Angell Scholar
Jain Industries Program Recipient
tomazkonja@gmail.com
@tomazkonja