Designer & artist
Mihkel Pajuste is a Danish-Estonian designer and artist based in Copenhagen, with extensive experience spanning design, research, and innovation in the field of lighting.
Light is my material. My work is an ongoing exploration of how light shapes spaces, emotions, and experiences. By weaving together insights from architecture and research, I seek to create moments of heightened awareness — where light transforms, reveals, or creates the unexpected.
EXPERIENCE
Designer, project lead, educator, coordinator, censor, and much more in between.
2020 — Designer and Founder, Studio Mihkel Pajuste, DK
2020 — Designer; Guilt Studio, NL
2020-24 Coordinator, IALD Nordic, US/EU
2020-23 Designer and Co-founder, Spectra & Space, DK
2019-24 Educator, Aalborg University, DK
2018-22 External Lecturer & Examiner, Pallas University of Applied Sciences, EE
EXHIBITONS AND ARTWORKS
Permanent or temporary works for the art scene and architectural projects.
2022 Helix, Tallinn Music and Ballet School, EE
2022 Voog, Estonian National Museum, EE
2021 Pavilion OM, CHART Architecture, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, DK
2021 Stream, Kai Art Center, EE
2021 Strømning, Åben Festival, DK
2021 Sundown, Kai Art Center, EE
2021 Moiré, Kunstnernes Efterårsudstilling, Den Frie, DK
2020 Evergreen, 3daysofdesign, Designmuseum Danmark, DK
2020 Solaris, Copenhagen Light Festival, DK
PRESS AND SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES
Author or co-author of artistic works, opinion articles, and research papers.
2024 Sindroms magazine, DK
2023 Indret, DK
2022 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, DK
2021 Indoor and Built Environment, Sage Journals, US
2020 Leukos, US
2020 eCAADE, DE
TALKS AND LECTURES
Speaker and lecturer at conferences, universities, and companies.
2024 Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, DK
2024 Light Talks in Tallinn, Tallinn, EE
2024 AKQA, Copenhagen, DK
2023 LightFair Conference, New York, US
2022 Pallas University of Applied Sciences, Tartu, EE
2020 eCAADe, Berlin, DE
EDUCATION, COURSES, CONFERENCES
BA and MSc graduate with additional training through courses and conferences.
2019 MSc in Lighting Design, Aalborg University, DK
2016 BA in Visual Communication, Danish School of Media and Journalism, DK
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2024 Sustainable Building Design, MITx, US
2024 LED Seminar, The Danish National School of Performing Arts, DK
2023 NLITED: New Level of Integrated Techniques for Daylighting Education, PL
2022 Interdisciplinary Summer School, Daylight Academy, CH
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2024 IALD Enlighten Europe, London, UK
2024 Light Talks in Tallinn, Tallinn, EE
2023 Light Symposium, Stockholm, SE
2023 IALD Enlighten Europe, Berlin, DE
2022 IALD Enlighten Americas, Palm Springs, US
2022 Light Symposium, Copenhagen, DK
2021 LUCI 2021, Tartu, EE
2020 Lysets Dag, Copenhagen, DK
2020 eCAADE, Berlin, DE
2019 PLDC, Rotterdam, NL