Geist - Radio6

Geist - Clock2

Geist - Calendar1


Geist is a family of connected objects for people living outside their native country. The Geist family of objects consists of the Radio, the Clock, and the Calendar. These are everyday objects that help expat families develop and maintain a sense of connectedness and belonging. By adjusting the knob of the Radio, a family can navigate a bespoke spectrum of radio channels that ranges from their native country to the place where they currently reside or any other place a family may feel socially and culturally connected to. All of the Giest objects represent these two locations. The Radio will transmit local radio streams as well as that of the native country; the Clock keeps local time, but it’s face reflects the exact color of the sky in the family’s alternate location; and the Calendar prints the day, but captures the local headline of the home they seek to remain connected to. The mundane performance of turning the radio’s dial to transverse the space in between ‘homes’ physically manifests and bridges the chasm that defines the social and cultural experience of being an expat. It is through these small, everyday performances that expats reconcile and negotiate their sense of belonging and identity.

Outreach / Activity


  • ThingsCon Berlin 2015.


  • Dutch Design Week 2015: Mind the Step. October 2015


Design United; Demonstrator’s Fund

Affiliates / Collaborators

Fabian Bitter, The Incredible Machine, Marieke Glöss, David Derksen, Adriaan Wormgoor

Involved Members