Meet Design for Play alumnus Neža Landeker

Tell us a bit about yourself!
I was born and bred in a small chicken-shaped country called Slovenia. Currently living in Copenhagen, Denmark. Apart from successfully braving through semi-traumatic high school years, I have a BA in Communication Design - Graphic Design from University of Fine Arts & Design in Ljubljana, Slovenia and an MA in Design for Play from Design School Kolding.

Where do you work at the moment? What is your role and what are your tasks?
For about 4 years now, I’ve been working at Stupid Studio, a design and innovation agency based in Copenhagen and Odense. A title you’ll find in my email signature goes something like “Senior Play & Experience Designer” but you may find me dabbling with a lot of aspects that don’t necessarily fall into the category. Mostly I’m a part of the team working with various innovation departments where I help shape their process through series of workshops, interventions, and existential questions.

“As a company that fundamentally believes in the importance and power of play, play designers are a vital and integral part of our offerings and ways of working. By embedding play and playfulness into our and our clients’ processes, we’re able to facilitate richer discussions, imagine harder and bring to life new versions of possible realities”
- Daniel Gjøde, Founder & Partner at Stupid Studio

What role has the Design for Play master’s programme played in getting you where you are today?
The Design for Play Master’s programme has opened up my domain to Design Fiction and playful intervention designs and which in turn enabled me to kick in the door at Stupid Studio.

Can you tell us about an important memory from Design School Kolding?
A memory of Cas Holman’s lecture/workshop called Pointless Acts is still vividly imprinted in my mind. I believe it to be an “aha moment” of finding a role model to aspire to as a fellow Play Designer in the making.

Do you have any advice to give to someone undertaking this educational path?
Oftentimes, when you reach the professional waters, you end up taking yourself too seriously. As I’m saying this, I’m reminded that the path I ventured on should be the exact opposite. Play is essential for creative expression, and playfulness should be a consistent part of the design process. So, “exploit it” on your educational path and keep it around for years to come.