Tom Luyten was born on May 17th 1987, grew up in Vorst Laakdal, Belgium and attended secondary school in Tessenderlo and Diest. While growing up, he was always interested in the idealism and aesthetics of counterculture and technology. These interests resulted in applying for a Master’s education in ‘Communication- and Multimedia Design’ at LUCA school of arts in Genk. His master thesis, titled “the interactive multi-sensory room” connected the disciplines of art and design with technology and health care, a trifecta that would define the rest of his career.

Technology and aesthetics can make the world a more beautiful, poetic place, even for those who struggle to comprehend it

After graduating cum laude in 2010, Tom started his own studio and became a lecturer at the Maastricht Academy of Media, Design & Technology in 2011, which is part of Zuyd University of Applied Science. Convinced by the fact that technology and aesthetics can make the world a more beautiful, poetic place, even for those who struggle to comprehend it, he secured a position as PhD candidate in 2012 on the topic of “interactive art in elderly care” at the Research Centre for Assistive Technology in Health Care, under the guidance of Prof. dr. Luc de Witte, Prof. dr. Susan van Hooren and dr. Susy Braun.

Currently, Tom is creative director for a multitude of projects and active as a media artist. Academically he is working as a senior lecturer at the Maastricht Academy of Media, Design & Technology and researcher at the Research Center for Nutrition, Lifestyle and Exercise at Zuyd University of Applied Science