I have a background in graphic design and studied New Media and Interface- and Interaction Design at the University of the Arts Berlin, Transformation Design at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, and Gender Studies at the Universities of Vienna and Basel. Working at the intersections of design, research, and practices of care and (un)learning, I develop formats ranging from publications to multi-day knowledge exchanges. Drawing on socio-political theory, my work addresses structural inequalities and explores how spaces of learning can foster reflection, solidarity, and transformation. As part of the former collective Eine Krise bekommen, I engaged critically with teaching practices and institutional structures in art universities. With Zest Kollektiv, a decentralized working group dedicated to artistic processes of (un)learning and care, I collaborate with students, researchers, and activists to examine power relations and nurture collective learning through participatory formats that intertwine hosting, reading, baking, and sharing.
List of Publications & Formats
Knilli, Lucie Jo
“Between Rigid Frames: Gender and the Politics of Chair Design”
(unpublished manuscript, defense on Oct 30, 2025)
University of Vienna (AT)
2025
MA Thesis
Zest Kollektiv
“When See You Soon Becomes See You Later”
Robida Collective Journal, Topolò (IT)
2025
Essay
Zest Kollektiv
“Gathering Knowledge in the Gaps Between Our Teeth”
conference “Learnings/Unlearnings: Environmental Pedagogies, Play, Policies, and Spatial Design” (KTH & Konstfack), Färgfabriken, Stockholm (SE)
2024
Workshop
Zest Kollektiv & Atasayar, Destina
“Institutional Aftertaste”
symposium “Unlearning University”, University of the Arts Berlin (DE)
2024
Workshop
Eine Krise bekommen; In the Meantime; KD Stammtisch
“A New School, A Summer School – (Re)imagining Learning Environments”
M.1, Arthur-Boskamp-Stiftung, Hohenlockstedt (DE)
2023
Week-long Summer School
Atasayar, Destina; Brenner, Katharina; Herbst, Lu; Knilli, Lucie Jo
“Wir müssen Ihnen leider mitteilen, …”
Art.School.Differences Blog, Zurich University of the Arts (CH)
2023
Essay
Eine Krise bekommen
“Picture this: Kritische Kunsthochschulen”
Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design, Kiel (DE)
2022
Workshop
Eine Krise bekommen
“Kunsthochschulen und Ausschlussmechanismen”
Studium Generale, University of the Arts Berlin; Floating University Berlin (DE)
2022
Multi-day Seminar
Knilli, Lucie Jo
“Farbe und Oberfläche”
Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Dresden (DE)
2021/22
Semester Course
Knilli, Lucie Jo
“Die wirkliche Farbe: Farbe und Wirklichkeitstreue”
University of the Arts Berlin (DE).
2021
BA Project & Thesis
Atasayar, Destina; Brenner, Katharina; Herbst, Lu; Knilli, Lucie Jo
“Eine Krise bekommen”
Eigenart Magazin, University of the Arts Berlin (DE)
2021
Essay
Free Radicals
“Eine Krise bekommen”
In: Astrup-Chauvaux, Jeanne; Bovelet, Sarah (Eds.): Free Radical Newspaper, Floating University Berlin (DE), p. 6–7
2021
Essay
Eine Krise bekommen
“Design und Psychische Gesundheit”
Studium Generale, University of the Arts Berlin; Floating University Berlin (DE)
2021
Multi-day Seminar
Atasayar, Destina; Brenner, Katharina; Herbst, Lu; Knilli, Lucie Jo; Böttcher, Sarah (Ed.)
“Eine Krise bekommen”
University of the Arts Berlin Publishing (DE)
2021
Edited Volume
Knilli, Lucie Jo
“Wer bin ich wann und warum?”
In: Atasayar, Destina; Brenner, Katharina; Herbst, Lu; Knilli, Lucie Jo & Böttcher, Sarah (Ed.): “Eine Krise bekommen”, University of the Arts Berlin Publishing (DE), p. 95–99
2021
Essay
Mentions
Herbst, Lu
“Institutioneller Beigeschmack”
In: Critical Diversity Blog, University of the Arts Berlin (DE)
2024
Essay
Kirstein, Lea
“Access is a never-ending process”
In: Lerchenfeld Nr. 68, HFBK Hamburg (DE), p. 77–81
2023
Article
Baumgarten, Lisa; Leijdekkers, Judith (Ed.)
“Creating Safer Spaces: Student-Led Transformation in Design Education – A conversation with Katharina Brenner, Luisa Herbst, Destina Atasayar and Lucie Jo Knilli”
Teaching Design
2021
Edited Conversation