Tom Barker

Who is Tom Barker?

Tom Barker is a British designer and academic. He is the chair of the Digital Futures Initiative at OCAD University. Previously, he was a Professor of Architecture, Design and Innovation at the University of Technology, Sydney. Prior to taking his position at Sydney, he was head of the Industrial Design Engineering department at the London Royal College of Art.

Barker invented SmartSlab, a multimedia large scale digital LED display panel system, in 1999, whilst working on a Millennium Dome zone with architect Zaha Hadid. Barker also developed the V/SpaceLAB virtual reality system for architecture which artists Langlands and Bell used for an exhibit at the Imperial War Museum in 2003.

From 1997-2005, Barker ran DCA-b, a multidisciplinary design practice.