Tereza Ruller (born October 20, 1987, in Znojmo, Czech Republic) is a communication designer and educator known for her experimental and performative approach to design. She co-founded the Amsterdam-based studio The Rodina in 2013 together with Vít Ruller. Their work explores the intersection of graphic design, performance art, and digital environments, often addressing contemporary issues such as labor, identity, and beauty standards. Since 2023, Ruller has been a professor for Communication Design and Digital Practices at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HfG Karlsruhe). Her teaching and creative practice challenge traditional notions of design by integrating critical theory, interactive media, and participatory formats. Tereza Ruller is also a member of the prestigious Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI), highlighting her influence on the international design scene. In addition to her studio practice, she frequently lectures and exhibits worldwide, contributing to discourse on the future of design and its role in society.
In an interview, Tereza Ruller explains that the body is a particularly fascinating and essential tool in her creative work. Through her physical presence, she communicates messages that cannot be conveyed through conventional design methods. In one of her pieces, she reenacts poses from historical paintings, transforming them into a living archive of gestures. Visitors are invited to co-create the surrounding environment using stickers, building a landscape around her performance. This participatory element turns the installation into an interactive space that actively involves the audience.
Tereza Ruller reflects on the challenges and growth opportunities that come with being a woman in the design field. One particularly formative experience was her conscious decision not to disclose her pregnancy to a client. She explains that she didn’t want to be reduced to the role of an expectant mother. Ruller feared she might not be taken seriously or that others would begin making decisions for her — a situation she was determined to avoid
As advice to young students, Tereza Ruller says: “The world is waiting for your ideas! Work hard, and don’t be afraid to put your thoughts out there. We have the tools and opportunities to shape new worlds — so play with that power, and use it.”