Photography by Jason Ell
Relative Distance is a contemporary design studio, founded by Roland Ellis (1983) and Dev Joshi (1987) and launched in 2024.
The studio designs and makes collectible design objects and durational light based artworks which explore relationships of scale across the universe.
The studio designs and makes collectible design objects and durational light based artworks which explore relationships of scale across the universe.
Inspired by the power, beauty and incomprehensible vastness of the solar system, Relative Distance seeks to represent the powerful forces that connect us. Forces which are held in reverence across different times and cultures. Innovative and imaginative, Roland’s and Dev’s passion for contemporary design, physics and astronomy is evident through carefully conceived artworks which are rooted in scientific exploration.
Establishing Relative Distance to fulfil their own creative ambitions, Roland and Dev have over 20 years experience working in high calibre contemporary art and design studios, designing artworks of distinction for leading galleries and museums worldwide.
Establishing Relative Distance to fulfil their own creative ambitions, Roland and Dev have over 20 years experience working in high calibre contemporary art and design studios, designing artworks of distinction for leading galleries and museums worldwide.
Photography by Connie Wright
Relative Distance uses innovative new materials and technologies, combined with a distinctive palette of metals and minerals. Complexity is channelled through beautiful detailing with particular attention to surface and finish.
Roland and Dev create works with enduring elegance, seemingly impossibly light and slender. Their expertise is evident through intuitive design of deceptively simple works, which are designed for ease of installation and use.
Roland and Dev create works with enduring elegance, seemingly impossibly light and slender. Their expertise is evident through intuitive design of deceptively simple works, which are designed for ease of installation and use.
Roland Ellis
Roland Ellis (1983) is an Industrial Designer and co-founder of Relative Distance, whose broad interest in the utility of design is derived from his experience across design disciplines.
Having lived in Shanghai, Berlin, and London, Roland has worked with leading artists such as Wolfgang Buttress, Troika, and Random International, as well as creating residential light sculptures with Haberdashery. Roland has since collaborated with clients such as Design Museum (Exhibition title), Folk Clothing (Lighting, Wearable Tech), Google (Furniture, Interactive), Sonos (Artwork with Optigram), Superflux (Exhibition) and Montblanc (Industrial and Packaging Design). Roland Studied Industrial Design (BSc) at Brunel University London, graduating in 2006.
Having lived in Shanghai, Berlin, and London, Roland has worked with leading artists such as Wolfgang Buttress, Troika, and Random International, as well as creating residential light sculptures with Haberdashery. Roland has since collaborated with clients such as Design Museum (Exhibition title), Folk Clothing (Lighting, Wearable Tech), Google (Furniture, Interactive), Sonos (Artwork with Optigram), Superflux (Exhibition) and Montblanc (Industrial and Packaging Design). Roland Studied Industrial Design (BSc) at Brunel University London, graduating in 2006.
Dev Joshi
Dev Joshi (1987) is an award winning designer and technologist and co-founder of Relative Distance. Previously, as Technical Director of Collective Act in 2022, Dev worked as part of a collaborative team on Dreamachine, a groundbreaking immersive experience. As Associate Director and Head of Technology at Random International from 20210 to 2020, he oversaw the design and installation of large scale light installations and interactive sculptures including the phenomenally successful Rain Room (2012), which has been acquired by leading museums and continues to tour worldwide.
Dev also runs Whatever Together, an agency specialising in creative and technological strategy, R&D for unusual problems and product development. Dev is Visiting Lecturer in Technology and Strategy for the Innovation Design Engineering course at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London since 2017. Dev studied Product Design Engineering BsC at Brunel University, London, graduating in 2010.
Dev also runs Whatever Together, an agency specialising in creative and technological strategy, R&D for unusual problems and product development. Dev is Visiting Lecturer in Technology and Strategy for the Innovation Design Engineering course at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London since 2017. Dev studied Product Design Engineering BsC at Brunel University, London, graduating in 2010.
Photography by Jason Ell