John Wood, DipAD, ADF(Manc), FRSA is a professor of design in the Department of Design[1] at Goldsmiths College, University of London.[2][3] He taught many YBA when he was Deputy Head of the Fine Art Department at Goldsmiths between 1978 and 1988. He has received AHRC and EPSRC funding for research into metadesign.
Born on 25 August 1945 in Bath Wood attended Harrow County School for Boys, and then studied Fine Art at Manchester School of Art. His final year degree show (1968) consisted of electronic sound installations, which were influenced by the physical presence of visitors. Examples of his early works include: 'King of Shouting House' (1969) - a computer assisted play, for the ICA;[4] 'Tune Doodler' (1972) - mass-produced electronic sculpture commissioned by Jasia Reichardt.[5] He also created "solar energy artworks" - 'Black Box' - control circuit regulated a practical solar roof at Eithen-y-Gaeir, North Wales (1974)[6] and Sunsharer' window maximized solar energy for domestic use without compromising plant needs (1975).[7]
Wood is an original member of the rock band Deaf School where he performs as Max Ripple, he was also an original member of the Kreutzer Quintet.
His published works include: Designing for Micro-utopias (2007); thinking beyond the possible, Ashgate, UK, ISBN 0-7546-4608-4 and The Virtual Embodied; presence, practice, technology (1998), (Ed.), Routledge, London and New York, ISBN 0-415-16025-1 (hardback), ISBN 0-415-16026-X (paperback).