Current Work
The World of the Professional Violinist
We’re currently exploring the life of professional violinists, in NY, Paris and Berlin.
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From early May to mid June, we will be spending time in open-ended, organic conversations with technically and artistically accomplished players, educators & students - all likely classically trained, but who may be leveraging their passion & talent in very different ways.
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Our central question is: How is the landscape and proposition of what it means to be a professional violinist changing?
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Conversations will be informal and open, ranging from participants’ musical upbringing to how traditions might be reorganizing & reshaping. We also have a deep interest in the relationship violinists have with their instruments and ‘tools’. (In this last case, luthiers, and their perspective may be sought and deeply appreciated).
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Anyone interested in applying may use the links below:
Or reach out to us directly in the language you feel most conversant: demophileresearch@gmail.com
Recent Projects
Americans at Work
Probing the depths of cultural change in how everyday people think & feel about how they earn a living - in a country where ‘work’ has generally been considered a founding religion. The inspiration for this study was Studs Terkels’ oral history Working.
Scaling Sustainability Efforts in the Built World
Uncovering overlooked possibilities for carbon-emission reductions among large scale industrial and commercial spaces. …And reckoning with the social realities that surround these.
Examining the relationship between Homeowners & Architects
Understanding the perspectives of both the Homeowner and the Architect in the ‘adventure’ that is building a home from the ground up, and how new ‘tools’ in the hands of homeowners may be fostering a new dynamic.
Past Work
Teaching & Learning Philosophies among Guitarists
A deep dive into how today’s guitarists are mentoring and teaching the next generation of players.
Young, Ambitious Sneaker Collectors
As the role of physical stores continue to shift dramatically in our lives, what does ‘commerce’ look like for teens and early 20 somethings who cultivate extensive (covetable!) streetwear & sneaker collections?
Honoring Safety & Ethics during Lockdown
Sweeping, cross-country view of emotional and practical needs of Americans during an era of lockdown, and how a mobile carrier might adapt their service strategy to demonstrate a sincere ethical responsibility towards customers and employees alike.
The Nature of Risk
Deep investigation into and reflection on how people understand and relate to notions of ‘risk’. This was early groundwork for the invention of a new kind of financial tool - one that earnestly sought to hybridize the positive affordances of insurance & investment products.
Cultural Meaning of iPad
Landmark technology study on how the complexion of our relationship with mobile devices may be changing, based on a deep dive into the very first owners of the iPad.
Inventing Spirits
During a year-long deep immersion in the (vast, rich & entertaining) world of cocktail culture, we landed on developing a (very) low-alcohol spirit for bartenders to bend and experiment with.
The Relevance of Rail
And exploration of the American Rail system, within the context of global Supply Chain dynamics increasingly geared towards on-demand delivery and sensor driven technology.
The Role of Technology in Learning
We sought to deeply understand the ways parents navigate the promises (and curses) of technology in their children’s educational lives - and how we might create a new set of tools in respect to their experiences and beliefs in this arena.
Questions?
demophileresearch@gmail.com