Esther Kaya Stögerer and Jannis Kempkens, former graduates of weißensee academy of art berlin, work as designers in materials research. Esther's focus is on sustainability in the fashion industry and its supply chain. Jannis' research focuses on material transformation in the context of waste and overproduction.  As part of the LignoLight research project, they are working together with an interdisciplinary network of partners on the development of materials and products based on lignin, a side stream from biorefineries and a by-product of the global pulp and paper industry.

LignoLight uses lignin to produce materials for the furniture and fashion industries and is driving the paradigm shift away from petroleum-based to bio-based materials and products. Together with other designers, they founded the design studio circology

founded. Circology is a materials research and circular product design studio. One aspect of the studio work is the cross-species design.