Marcelo Coelho
Director, MIT Design Intelligence Lab and designer-researcher
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Summary
Bridges material science, computation, and interaction design: Marcelo’s research and lab work center on making computation tangible — designing responsive materials, shape-changing and foldable structures, and physical interfaces that embed AI (Large Language Objects, Hyperform, Light Craft). His PhD and many projects explore how material properties can be encoded, programmed, and designed to create new interactive experiences. mit+2
Combines academic research with product and industrial design leadership: Beyond academic projects, Marcelo served as Head of Design at Formlabs and led product and ecosystem design work (3D printing UX, exhibitions, and product experience), demonstrating an ability to translate experimental research into manufacturable products and public-facing experiences. cmarcelo+1
Produces high-profile creative collaborations and public installations: His studio practice has produced award-winning works and large-scale public installations (e.g., the Times Square "Window to the Heart" project and the Sandcastles collaboration with Vik Muniz), showing fluency across art, public design, and media — from gallery and museum exhibitions to broadcast-scale performances. cmarcelo+1
Inventor and entrepreneur: Marcelo is named on multiple patents (wearable/biosensor and programmable-ink / bio-ink work with LogicInk) and has co-founded ventures and lab spinouts that apply research to products and startups; he routinely works at the intersection of invention, IP, and commercialization. justia+1
Work
Education
Projects
Writing
Large Language Objects: The Design of Physical AI and Generative Experiences
January 1, 2024Article describing the design principles and examples of embedding generative AI and LLMs into physical objects (Large Language Objects) and the implications for creative practice.
Materializing Interaction (PhD thesis)
January 1, 2013PhD dissertation investigating responsive materials, transformable interactive surfaces, and the materialization of interaction; documents research, prototypes, and theoretical framing connecting materials and interaction design.
Cornucopia: The Concept of Digital Gastronomy
January 1, 2011Scholarly article exploring digital gastronomy and food fabrication as a design/media-arts concept (coauthored with Amit Zoran), combining computational fabrication and culinary practice.