Anijo Punnen Mathew

Anijo Mathew is interim dean and an associate professor at the Institute of Design at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. His research evaluates new models of innovation enabled by technology and media convergence through the lenses of design fiction, design-led innovation, and entrepreneurship. He works with global organizations to adapt and change strategic responses to transforming technologies. Anijo is the founder and board member of Vamonde, a Chicago storytelling app operating worldwide and named by Built in Chicago as one of six Chicago startups shaping the future of virtual reality.

Mathew's research at ID has aimed at understanding how organizations can develop information access platforms embedded in physical environments in urban and local neighborhoods, as well as evaluating how social connectivity and user behavior in such environments affect these platforms. With the coming of interactive technologies and ubiquitous computing, the notion of “placemaking” has evolved, and Anijo has been involved in various interactive placemaking projects in collaboration with the City of Chicago, Chicago Loop Alliance, the Chicago Architecture Center, and the Tribune Company (2007–15). Anijo also focused on engaging prototyping and sketching methods at the early stages of design as part of an AutoDesk-sponsored project through ID (2008–14).

Education

B.Arch., Birla Institute of Technology
M.Des, Harvard University
Ph.D. Design and Computing, The Open University

Professional Activities

Founder and CXO at Vamonde