Nicolas Nova – A sad Loss not only for Design Research

With deep sorrow, we learn of the passing of Nicolas Nova, a Franco-Swiss social anthropologist, design researcher, lecturer, and exhibition curator, who left us on December 31, 2024, at the age of 47. Nova’s profound curiosity, intellectual brilliance, and warm personality left an enduring mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him or encounter his work. I first got to know him when he invited me to speak at the Lift Conference in Geneva in 2012. A few years later, he brought one of my projects to the fantastic ‘Interface’ exhibition at the Cité du Design in St Etienne. We kept in loose contact, I followed his work with deep interest and had long planned to finally meet him again. Now all that remains is the memory of a dear, bright person.

Born on December 6, 1977, Nova’s multidisciplinary approach bridged social sciences, information technology, design, and natural sciences. His life’s work centered on understanding everyday cultures and their dynamic interactions with technology, always seeking to tell compelling stories about the ways innovation shapes and is shaped by human behavior. As a beloved professor at the Haute École d’art et de design Genève (HEAD), Nova not only guided countless students but also championed the exploration of how design could illuminate the societal impacts of emerging technologies and environmental changes. His insights challenged conventional thinking and opened doors to new ways of understanding the world.

Nicolas Nova’s passing leaves a void in the field of design research and in the lives of those who admired his work and character. While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the lasting legacy of his contributions, which will continue to inspire and resonate with future generations.

Tom Bieling