IF/THEN is a design studio working across various media, from objects and installations to community engagement. We approach design with equal parts curiosity and practicality, as a way to prototype the future we want to inhabit. In all of our work, we are committed to building towards greater equity, autonomy, and joy through design.
Our Team
Sara Dean is the founder of IF/THEN and an Associate Professor at University of Michigan. As an architect, she focuses on livability and beauty, committed to a more resilient, inclusive future through design. Her work has been exhibited widely, including recently at Ars Electronica, Dutch Design Week, and Shenzhen Biennale. Past positions include Chief Designer of Modern Empathy, R&D Designer for BluHomes, and Direction of Research and Partnerships at Stamen Design. She has worked on global design projects with many organizations, including the World Health Organization, OpenStreetMaps, and the Red Cross. She is committed to structures of open-access data and public engagement.
Gibran Larquier is an architectural designer with IF/THEN Studio who previously worked as a designer at Modern Empathy in San Francisco. He specializes in creating detailed architectural designs and 3D models for new construction projects. Gibran holds a Master of Arts in Architecture from California College of the Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Texas Tech.
Andrea Steves manages strategy, operations, and research projects for IF/THEN Studio. Her international art and research practice tackles complex issues such as climate change, economics, and the environment through various mediums and forms. Trained as an engineer, Andrea has spent the last decade working on software + sustainability projects for various clients, from small nonprofits to large tech companies. She currently teaches at the Parsons School of Design Strategies at The New School.
Benner Boswell is a furniture designer and craftsman in Oakland, California, and a lecturer at California College of the Arts. His work explores materiality and fabrication techniques. He is an ongoing collaborator with IF/THEN Studio along with Rafi Ajl Studio, Future Farmers, and BERG.