let me introduce myself.
Heyho! I’m Viv.
My background is a bit of a hybrid: I started with a focus on Physics and Graphic Design, which pretty much set the tone for my career. I don’t just want things to look good; I want to understand the mechanics underneath. That’s why I teach myself to code my own projects and why I’m currently obsessing over the analog craft of silversmithing. It’s all about that balance of high-level precision and creative experimentation.
I’m a big believer in immersion. My design practice has been shaped by a "nomadic" lifestyle—moving between the tech-heavy energy of the San francisco Bay Area, the raw landscapes of Norway, and the emerging creative scene in Tirana, Albania. I’ve spent the last few years freelancing from all over and figuring out how to make "minimalism" feel human.
What I’m doing right now: I’ve traded the Bay Area fog for the glacier vibes of Iceland. I’m currently finalizing my thesis — a deep dive into vinyl records and the materiality of sound.
If you want to talk about UX, interactive art, or the best hiking spots in the North, let's connect.
education & Residencies
ba communication design
current gpa: 1.1 (excellent, german grading scale)
university of applied sciences mannheim, germany
2022 – present
exchange semester in the bay area
ma interactive art & design
gpa: 4.0 (excellent, us grading scale)
california state university east bay
08 2025 – 12 2025
artist in residence
fish factory creative center
stöðvarfjörður, iceland
10 2025 / 04 2026 – 07 2026
scholarship & certification
fulbright travel grant
08 2025 – 12 2025
german Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship for study abroad
08 2025 – 12 2025
daad scholarship for international bachelorthesis
04 2026 – 07 2026
c1 english / toefl test
11 2024
mannheim scholarship
06 2024 – 05 2025
Mannheim Department of Economic Development
Awarded for academic excellence and social engagement
press
Komma 30 – Aus dem Verborgenen,
featured on slanted
06 2025

© vivian gölz, 2026