Plexus introduces a new approach to modular joinery through the use of generative design and adaptable connectors. This system allows parts to be joined without traditional fasteners, enabling smooth transitions between components and structures. Designed for diverse applications, it enhances structural strength, flexibility, and material efficiency. With advanced metal treatments and eco-conscious processes, Plexus offers a sustainable, reconfigurable solution for evolving product and spatial needs.

I am an interdisciplinary designer, researcher, and educator specializing in the intersection of industrial design, user experience, and emerging technologies like AI. With over a decade of global industry experience—including roles at Samsung Electronics, Bose, OLA Electric, and EPAM Continuum—I have successfully led projects that transitioned from concept to real-world products, several of which are protected under U.S. patents. My relevance today lies in how I bridge industry expertise with academic innovation. Currently an assistant professor at Iowa State University, I focus on shaping the next generation of designers by embedding empathy, inclusivity, and emerging technology into design education. My research challenges aging stereotypes by creating AI-driven, assistive technologies that enhance dignity and independence for older adults—an area of urgent societal need as global populations age. Among my achievements are prestigious grants supporting inclusive design research, a Red Dot Design Award for product innovation, jury membership at the iF Design Awards, and multiple peer-reviewed publications on universal design and AI. I also spearhead initiatives like the development of Universal Design and UX/UI Method Cards—tools that make complex design methodologies more accessible to students and professionals alike. I contribute to society by advancing inclusive, human-centered solutions that empower underrepresented groups, particularly the aging population. I am also deeply committed to mentoring students, fostering innovation ecosystems, and helping bridge the gap between academia and industry through workshops, courses, and collaborations. What makes me interesting is my constant drive to question conventions—whether it’s redefining how we approach assistive technology, rethinking design education for a digital future, or challenging the assumptions baked into traditional products and systems. I believe in design’s power not just to solve problems, but to shift mindsets, open new possibilities, and create a more equitable world.

Subinay Malhotra is an Assistant Professor of Industrial Design at Iowa State University, specializing in AI-driven design, generative systems, and computational fabrication. With over 11 years of global industry experience, he has worked with leading brands, including Samsung Electronics, Google, Boeing, Bose, and OLA Electric, contributing to cutting-edge innovations in human-computer interaction, UX, and industrial design. His research focuses on leveraging AI, smart technologies, and advanced manufacturing to enhance user experience, accessibility, and sustainability. Subinay’s work explores the intersection of AI-driven design automation, parametric modeling, and universal design, particularly in assistive products and future-facing manufacturing techniques. His approach integrates human-centered research, adaptive product development, and digital tools, challenging conventional methods to create scalable, personalized, and sustainable solutions. He is also actively involved in curriculum development, fostering the next generation of designers through courses on AI in design, UX, and digital fabrication. His projects, including Plexus, investigate the evolution of modular systems, material optimization, and AI-assisted fabrication, pushing the boundaries of how technology can transform product design and user interaction.