Matthias Held studied product design in Germany and in the US. After working as a design consultant for the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), including in Africa, he was a co-founder of the quintessence design studio in Stuttgart. In 2006, he was appointed professor at the HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd, heading research projects in the field of sustainability, regenerative energy and medical technology. He currently serves as prorector for research and transfer. Held is member of the German Society for Design Theory and Research (DGTF), of the Design Research Society UK and jury member of the Bundespreis Ecodesign.