The invitation to speak at Marta Herford is a great honor. On February 9th, 2025, a lecture will take place, focusing on the visionary designer Luigi Colani, his radical approach to design, and his lasting impact on the industry. As part of the exhibition “Luigi Colani – Shapes of the Future,” the event will explore his revolutionary thinking and unconventional methods. The talk will provide unique insights into his work and legacy, offering a deeper understanding of his innovative mindset.
Marta Herford.
Lecture with Hellen Westerhof
Designer and Colani’s master student Hellen Westerhof will speak at Marta Herford about the visionary designer Luigi Colani, who revolutionized the world of design like no other.
As part of the exhibition “Luigi Colani - Shapes of the Future,” Westerhof will delve into Colani’s extraordinary way of thinking and working. She will explore how he challenged existing conventions, reimagined them radically, and set new standards.
Hellen Westerhof, who worked closely with Colani as his last master student, will not only highlight the significance of his work for the design world but also examine its impact on society as a whole. Colani was a thinker who changed perspectives to address the great questions of the future. The changes he brought to the design world continue to influence us today.
Hellen Westerhof is a product designer, entrepreneur, and lecturer. After studying at the University of Art and Design in Offenbach, she worked in Luigi Colani’s Design Factory in Karlsruhe in 2004/2005.
There, she learned directly from the visionary designer and participated in the development of a wide range of projects—
from innovative household products and consumer goods to groundbreaking vehicle concepts, streamlined trucks, and sculptures for the Olympic Games in Beijing.
After graduating in 2010, she worked successfully as a product designer for international brands for ten years. In 2015, she returned to Colani as his master student, supporting him in creative direction, acquisition, and international representation, including at his design institute in China.
Since 2021, she has been running her own company, Hellen Westerhof GmbH, specializing in sustainable design and high-quality product lines. She teaches at various German universities and gives lectures on biodesign and Luigi Colani’s visionary approaches.