About Me.
© 2025
© 2025
© 2025
I’m Thaddeus Lee — A MIT-trained designer and inventor specializing in prototyping and computational design within innovation contexts.
I’m Thaddeus Lee — A MIT-trained designer and inventor specializing in prototyping and computational design within innovation contexts.
I’m Thaddeus Lee — A MIT-trained designer and inventor specializing in prototyping and computational design within innovation contexts.
Experience
Play Inventor (Hardware)
The LEGO Group, Creative Play Lab
'23 - present
Dreaming up the future of play with Creative Play Lab (CPL), The LEGO Group's super-secret innovation group. Design, execute and test physical and digital prototypes in support of mission-led, multidisciplinary teams.
Play Inventor (Hardware)
The LEGO Group, Creative Play Lab
'23 - present
Dreaming up the future of play with Creative Play Lab (CPL), The LEGO Group's super-secret innovation group. Design, execute and test physical and digital prototypes in support of mission-led, multidisciplinary teams.
Play Inventor (Hardware)
The LEGO Group, Creative Play Lab
'23 - present
Dreaming up the future of play with Creative Play Lab (CPL), The LEGO Group's super-secret innovation group. Design, execute and test physical and digital prototypes in support of mission-led, multidisciplinary teams.
Adjunct
Singapore University of Technology and Design
'23
Cohort instructor for 10.014 Computational Thinking for Design
Adjunct
Singapore University of Technology and Design
'23
Cohort instructor for 10.014 Computational Thinking for Design
Adjunct
Singapore University of Technology and Design
'23
Cohort instructor for 10.014 Computational Thinking for Design
Researcher
MIT Self Assembly Lab
'22 - 2023
Led research projects with clear innovation goals in digital fabrication for industry partners, including Adidas, Hyundai and SHEICO
Researcher
MIT Self Assembly Lab
'22 - 2023
Led research projects with clear innovation goals in digital fabrication for industry partners, including Adidas, Hyundai and SHEICO
Researcher
MIT Self Assembly Lab
'22 - 2023
Led research projects with clear innovation goals in digital fabrication for industry partners, including Adidas, Hyundai and SHEICO
Founder
PlayCity
'21 - present
Collaborative practice for reinvigorating urban locations through gamified, phygital experiences Recipient of MIT Creative Arts Grant, and MIT Sandbox grant for entrepreneurship Consulted for MIT Open Space, City of Cambridge and Wide Horizons Real Estate
Founder
PlayCity
'21 - present
Collaborative practice for reinvigorating urban locations through gamified, phygital experiences Recipient of MIT Creative Arts Grant, and MIT Sandbox grant for entrepreneurship Consulted for MIT Open Space, City of Cambridge and Wide Horizons Real Estate
Founder
PlayCity
'21 - present
Collaborative practice for reinvigorating urban locations through gamified, phygital experiences Recipient of MIT Creative Arts Grant, and MIT Sandbox grant for entrepreneurship Consulted for MIT Open Space, City of Cambridge and Wide Horizons Real Estate
Teaching & Research Assistant
MIT School of Architecture and Planning
'18 - 2022
Teaching Assistant for Studio on interaction design with Marcelo Coelho. Research Assistant for Here and There: an open-source system to design IoT interactions Workshop Assistant: Instruction, operation and maintenance for robotics and machining shops
Teaching & Research Assistant
MIT School of Architecture and Planning
'18 - 2022
Teaching Assistant for Studio on interaction design with Marcelo Coelho. Research Assistant for Here and There: an open-source system to design IoT interactions Workshop Assistant: Instruction, operation and maintenance for robotics and machining shops
Teaching & Research Assistant
MIT School of Architecture and Planning
'18 - 2022
Teaching Assistant for Studio on interaction design with Marcelo Coelho. Research Assistant for Here and There: an open-source system to design IoT interactions Workshop Assistant: Instruction, operation and maintenance for robotics and machining shops
Architectural Designer
GOA (Gray Organschi Archtiecture)
'17 - 2018
Developed residential and commercial projects through all phases of work, from RFP to construction documents
Architectural Designer
GOA (Gray Organschi Archtiecture)
'17 - 2018
Developed residential and commercial projects through all phases of work, from RFP to construction documents
Architectural Designer
GOA (Gray Organschi Archtiecture)
'17 - 2018
Developed residential and commercial projects through all phases of work, from RFP to construction documents
Skills + Software
Python
General Prototyping, TinyML, Machine Learning
Python
General Prototyping, TinyML, Machine Learning
C#
for Unity, embedded, and Grasshopper
C#
for Unity, embedded, and Grasshopper
Rhino + Grasshopper
CAD, parametric and computational design
Rhino + Grasshopper
CAD, parametric and computational design
Robotics
KUKA, UR and open-source
Robotics
KUKA, UR and open-source
Digital Fabrication
CAM, 3D Printing, Woodworking, Metalworking
Digital Fabrication
CAM, 3D Printing, Woodworking, Metalworking
Prototyping
Physical + digital prototyping for innovation
Prototyping
Physical + digital prototyping for innovation
Achievements
'24
ACADIA 2024
Published 'Adaptive Midsole', in collaboration with a major footwear brand
'23
MIT DesignX Venture Accelerator Finalist
romps, a zero-waste kids' shoe
'22
The Engine
Blueprint Innovation Bootcamp
'22
MIT CAMIT
Public Arts Grant Receipient
'18 - '23
MIT School of Architecture and Planning
Graduate Fellow
Achievements
'24
ACADIA 2024
Published 'Adaptive Midsole', in collaboration with a major footwear brand
'23
MIT DesignX Venture Accelerator Finalist
romps, a zero-waste kids' shoe
'22
The Engine
Blueprint Innovation Bootcamp
'22
MIT CAMIT
Public Arts Grant Receipient
'18 - '23
MIT School of Architecture and Planning
Graduate Fellow
Achievements
'24
ACADIA 2024
Published 'Adaptive Midsole', in collaboration with a major footwear brand
'23
MIT DesignX Venture Accelerator Finalist
romps, a zero-waste kids' shoe
'22
The Engine
Blueprint Innovation Bootcamp
'22
MIT CAMIT
Public Arts Grant Receipient
'18 - '23
MIT School of Architecture and Planning
Graduate Fellow