Levi Hammett

Specialization

Time-based media and Interaction design

Education

• MFA in Graphic Design, Rhode Island School of Design, 2006.
• BFA in Graphic Design, Oregon State University, 2003.

Biography

Born in a cabin without electricity in the forested mountains of northern California, Levi Hammett developed a deep appreciation for the dynamic unpredictability of the natural landscape. This appreciation evolved into a creative practice that uses design to explore the relationship between humans and their physical environment in terms of space and sense of place as well as the influence of this relationship on the creation of culture. These abstract concepts are made concrete through a creative methodology that utilizes reductive processes involving photography, graphic and physical form, and the appropriation and transformation of existing visual languages. The resulting design products function as physical interfaces, which use ambiguity and open interpretation to engage users in a deeper understanding of their physical world.
His work spans a range of projects which include a series of hand-made Islamic carpets that explore the contemporary culture of the Arabian Peninsula, an interactive installation for the World War II Visitors Center in Normandy, France, and a series of experiments with performance based interactive typography. His work has been distributed as digital applications, published in online collections, and exhibited in Europe, the Middle-East, South America, and the United States.
Levi Hammett received his MFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2006 and a BFA in Graphic Design from Oregon State University in 2003. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Doha, Qatar where he teaches a range of design classes including interactive media and game design.

www.levihammett.com

www.culturalcamouflage.org

Research Interests

• Levi Hammett's research practice is concerned with creating design objects that enable users to relate to their spatial environment in unexpected yet insightful ways, with the aim of expanding their awareness and understanding of the physical world. The objects span a range of media that includes traditional graphic design, digital interface design, game design, photography, and product design. Despite the variety of media, every object shares a focus on creating playful interfaces and spaces that invite users to interact, either physically or cognitively. These interactions have the potential to reveal new perspectives, comparisons, and insights about a user’s relationship to space, place, and location.
  
  Research Keywords: Space, place, cartography, culture, interaction, play, education

Teaching Experience

• Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar. 2007 - present.
• Visiting Lecturer, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, usa. 2006 - 2007.
• Faculty of record, Hot Printing / Letterpress, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island, usa. 2006.
• Faculty of record, Computer Technology, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island, usa. 2004.
• Adjunct Professor, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, usa. 2003.

Publications

• Hammett, Levi., Al Homaid, Maryam., & Phatanateacha, Pornprapha. “Cultural Camouflage: Cultural Data Visualization and Local Identity”. ISEA2014: The 20th International Symposium on Electronic Art, A4 Gallery, Dubai, UAE. Juried. November 2014.
• Hammett, Levi., Phatanateacha, Pornprapha., & Al Homaid, Maryam. “Cultural Camouflage: Transcribing Unconventional Cultural Patterns into Design Products”. Tenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability, Split, Croatia. January, 2014. Presentation.
• Hammett, Levi., Al Homaid, Maryam., & Phatanateacha, Pornprapha. “Urban Intervals” & “Emergent Landscapes” (Mixed Media). Otaku Exhibition, Katara Art Center, Doha, Qatar. Group Exhibition. Invited. November 2013.
• Hammett, Levi., Al Homaid, Maryam., & Phatanateacha, Pornprapha. “Cultural Camouflage: Doha” (Interactive). Spaces and Flows Conference, Centre for Urban Studies, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Conference Exhibition. Juried. November 2013.
• Hammett, Levi., & Hersrud, Michael. “Decentralizing the Classroom: Utilizing Network Theory, Collaborative Teaching, and Agile Development to Create a Soft-Structured Learning Environment”. Design Research Society 2012: Bangkok 2(2012):670-682. Print. ISBN 978-616-551-568-9.
• Hersrud, Michael., & Hammett, Levi. “A Case Study on Interactive and Time-Based Design from Doha, Qatar: Exploring New Methods for Teaching Technology-Centric Courses in Graphic Design”. College Art Association Conference, 2012. Audio Recording.
• Carter, Rob. “Observing Systems in Our Surroundings” Class project by Levi Hammett. Typographic Design: Form and Communication, Fifth Edition, 2011, p195. Print. ISBN 978-0-470-64821-6.
• Litman, Brandon. “One Day on Earth 11.11.11” (Documentary Film). Contributed footage. Juried. 2011.
• Hammett, Levi., & Hersrud, Michael. “Dairy” (Interactive). Festival de Arte Digital, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Group Exhibition & DVD catalogue. Juried. 2007.
• Hammett, Levi., & Holroyde, Claire. “The Unexamined Life” (Interactive). Born Magazine, Portland, Oregon, USA. Online Magazine. Juried. 2006.

Exhibitions

• “Cultural Camouflage: Cultural Data Visualization and Local Identity”. isea 2014: The 20th International Symposium on Electronic Art, A4 Gallery,
• Dubai, uae. With Al Homaid, Maryam. Juried. November 2014.
• “Urban Intervals”. Strange Wonders, Mushareb Enrichment Center, Doha, Qatar. Group Exhibition. Juried. With Al Homaid, Maryam. April 2014.
• “Urban Intervals”. QPop, Design Days Dubai, Dubai, UAE. Group Exhibition. Invited. With Al Homaid, Maryam. March 2014.
• “Cultural Camouflage” (Mixed Media). Otaku Exhibition, Katara Art Center, Doha, Qatar. Group Exhibition. Invited. With Al Homaid, Maryam., & Phatanateacha, Pornprapha. 27-30 November 2013.
• “Emergent Landscapes” (Interactive). Spaces and Flows Conference, Centre for Urban Studies, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Conference Exhibition. Juried. With Al Homaid, Maryam., & Phatanateacha, Pornprapha. 22 November 2013.
• “Emergent Landscapes” (Interactive). Faculty Exhibition, The Black Box, Doha, Qatar. Group Exhibition. With Al Homaid, Maryam. Juried. 2013.
• Litman, Brandon. “One Day on Earth 11.11.11” (Documentary Film). Contributed footage. With Hersrud, Michael. Juried. 2011.
• “Compressed Landmass 1, 2, 3 & 4” (Video). Kaleidoscope, The Gallery, Doha, Qatar. Group Exhibition. Juried. 2010.
• “The Unexamined Life” (Interactive). Festival de Arte Digital, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Group Exhibition & dvd catalog. Juried. With Holroyde, Clair. 2007.
• “Dairy” (Interactive). Festival de Arte Digital, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Group Exhibition & dvd catalogue. Juried. With Hersrud, Michael. 2007.
• “mfa Exhibition”. Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island, usa. Group Exhibition. 2006.

Funded Research Projects and Grants

• Faculty Research Grant, “Weaving More Cultural Camouflage”. Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar. 2013. Grant, 5,385 usd.
• Faculty Research Grant, “Weaving Cultural Camouflage: Hand-Knotted Rugs as a Mode of Transcribing Unconventional Cultural Patterns”. Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. 2012. Grant, 2,300 usd.

Honors

• Hammett, Levi., Michael Hersrud, Richard Lombard, & Simone Muscolino, Co-Chairs. ”Tasmeem International Art & Design Conference 2015, Play!”. (Retitled ‘3ajeeb!’). Proposal Accepted & Funded. Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar. Juried. Spring 2014.

Professional Service

• Derr, Diane, Law Alsobrook and Levi Hammett. “Variable There: Reconfiguring narrative through urban data”. Workshop conducted at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, December 4-6, 2014.
• Hammett, Levi., & Michael Hersrud. “Letterpress”. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, usa. October 1, 2014.
• Granberg, Johan., et al. “Digital & Physical Prototyping”. Virginia Commonwealth University, Doha, Qatar. 2010.
• Juror, Pan Arab Web Awards, Excellence Awards Academy, United Arab Emirates. 2013.
• Co-founder & Curator, borderingtheemptyquarter.org, 2010 - Present.