studio in Tension
As a designer, Eli creates analog, playful, and expressive experiences. Their designs are meant to spark a sense of childlike wonder in adults, encouraging active participation. Eli believes that if our physical spaces were more intriguing, inviting, and joyful, people would find less need for stimulation from the digital world.
Drawing on the idea that everyday objects can be more than just functional, Eli designs pieces that encourage interaction, much like fidget toys—interesting, tactile objects that help people connect with the present moment. With a focus on low-tech mechanisms, Eli’s work often incorporates basic principles of physics, as seen in pieces like the Wound-up Lamp and the String Swing, which play with tension and sound.