“My art and design practice is lively, like some sort of puppy, playing with the viewer and engaging them in interaction,” says Nilufer Musaeva aptly of her work. Born in Moscow to Azerbaijani heritage, the multimedia artist, designer, and researcher’s work blends her design expertise with critical inquiries into the institutions shaping the field. With a background in interface and graphic design, Musaeva is dedicated to exploring ways to apply her skills outside of profit-driven contexts, focusing on more meaningful, socially conscious uses of design.

Her research inquiries span grotesque infrastructures, the role of humour in digital media (her website can Rickroll you), and media archaeology as she investigates how these elements influence both the creation and perception of contemporary design.