The Thinking through Design podcast is back, with episode 12. The Thinking through Design podcast features host Adam Fromme as he explores what it means to have a designer’s mindset.

In this episode of the Thinking through Design podcast, host Adam Fromme sits down with Sasha de Koninck.

This episode examines the complex relationship between wearable technology and personal storytelling. The discussion traces the evolution of mechanized technology from player pianos to smart textiles, prompting critical reflections on what it means to wear technology. The episode also highlights the relationship younger generations have with technology and underscores a cultural shift toward valuing experiences over data. As the conversation develops, the concept of data physicalization—transforming wearable data into tangible forms—is introduced, inviting listeners to rethink how we interact with information and the narratives it can convey. Ultimately, this episode encourages a reevaluation of our relationship with technology, emphasizing wearables as tools for connection and self-expression.

Sasha de Koninck holds a PhD in Intermedia Art, Writing, and Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MFA in Fiber and Material Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. For the past year, she was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Ohio State in the Department of Design. And she recently started her postdoctoral research at Northeastern University. Her research is focused on the intersection of design, technology and textile arts. She has been involved in innovative projects such as "Future Heirlooms," which explores the creation of heirlooms for future use, merging traditional craft techniques with contemporary design practices. This project emphasizes the significance of physical artifacts in preserving cultural memories and histories​. Additionally, her collaborative work has been recognized at major conferences, including the ACM SIGCHI Conference on Designing Interactive Systems, where her team received awards for their contributions​.

Sasha’s work is also featured in the ongoing exhibit, “with_” at the Urban Arts Space in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Learn more about this exhibition of Faculty research from the Department of Design.