START DESIGN is a design studio supporting startups and companies in developing products and digital experiences. We work across product design, UX/UI, branding, strategy, and CAD modeling to turn ideas into clear, functional, and market-ready solutions. Our focus is on structured thinking, strong aesthetics, and practical execution from early concept to launch.

Thomas Eder

START DESIGN is a design studio supporting startups and companies in developing products and digital experiences. We work across product design, UX/UI, branding, strategy, and CAD modeling to turn ideas into clear, functional, and market-ready solutions. Our focus is on structured thinking, strong aesthetics, and practical execution from early concept to launch.

Available to hire

START DESIGN is a design studio supporting startups and companies in developing products and digital experiences. We work across product design, UX/UI, branding, strategy, and CAD modeling to turn ideas into clear, functional, and market-ready solutions. Our focus is on structured thinking, strong aesthetics, and practical execution from early concept to launch.

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Language

English
Advanced
German
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder & Managing Partner at START DESIGN OG
June 6, 2025 - Present

Education

B.A. Industrial Design at FH Joanneum
October 3, 2021 - February 28, 2025
M.A. Digital Entrepreneurship at FH Joanneum
September 28, 2025 - June 30, 2027

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Computers & Electronics, Consumer Goods, Professional Services, Manufacturing
    uniE621 Beyond Play - Yo-Yo Design Thinking Toolkit
    Beyond Play introduces children between 10 and 15 to the world of design thinking — through one of the oldest toys in the world. The toolkit is built around a simple loop: *build, test, validate, repeat.* Not as a lesson. As a game. The Idea A yo-yo is a surprisingly complex system. Weight, size, shape, material — each variable changes how it behaves. Heavier means slower. Larger means slower. But some combinations reveal something unexpected, something that can't be predicted until you try it. That moment of surprise is the point. How It Works Children assemble their own yo-yo from a set of interchangeable components. Using a string-based attachment system, parts can be swapped in and out — different weights, shapes, and materials — each one shifting the yo-yo's behaviour in a different way. There are no wrong answers. Every combination teaches something. Design Thinking in Practice The toolkit mirrors the design process without naming it. Children observe, adjust, and test again — naturally moving through the same cycles that designers and engineers use to solve real problems. *What happens if I make it heavier? What if I change the shape? What if I try both?* The Components The parts are tactile, varied, and considered. Discs in plastic and metal, wooden forms in different shapes and sizes — each one contributing a different weight, feel, and behaviour to the whole. Everything fits in a single box. Everything is made to be handled. *Build it. Test it. Break the rules. Do it again.* validation productdesign designthinking designstrategy
    uniE621 Motorcycle in a box
    Motorcycle in a Box is built on a single idea: *you put it together, you take care of it.* Assembling your own motorcycle creates a bond that buying one never could. The bike arrives in parts — and through the process of building it, you come to understand it. Design Simplicity drives every decision. The motorcycle is engineered with as few components as possible, and every bolt is standardised — minimising the tools needed and making assembly accessible to anyone. Assembly A detailed manual walks you through each component and every step. The essential tools are included in the box, so you have everything needed to build the bike — and to maintain it long after. Repair Because you built it, you understand it. Swapping out a damaged part is straightforward, and each component is labelled with a unique code for easy identification. The companion app offers short videos to guide you through any replacement. Sustainability Worn-out parts don't go to waste. A return system allows customers to send components back to the manufacturer for proper recycling — closing the loop between making, using, and renewing.
    uniE621 Sandur Kitchen
    Sandur Kitchen takes its name from the glacial outwash plains of Iceland — landscapes of *absolute flatness*, mineral quiet, and cool diffused light. The kitchen carries that same quality. Nothing accumulates. Nothing performs. Material & Form The design is built around a single continuous wall of warm-grained timber cabinetry — flush and uninterrupted, punctuated only by the cool blue-grey of the tiled backsplash. The island extends the horizontal logic of the plan: a long, low presence in the room, grounded in stone. The materials do not need to announce themselves. Light Light enters from the side. It moves across the surfaces slowly, revealing grain, texture, depth. The effect is almost painterly — a northern interior, precise and warm in equal measure. Intention *Sandur Kitchen* is a space for the quiet rituals of domestic life. Precise. Warm. Unhurried. furnituredesign productdesign furniture