Ludmil Trenkov is a media designer currently based in Berkeley, California. His design research interests are centered on locative media, intercultural exchange and social networking. He believes that designers must investigate, reveal and ultimately facilitate the interdependencies of life.

Ludmil graduated with an MFA from the Graduate Media Design program at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. His thesis work culminated with the creation of a locative photo mapping system named ìyouGuide,î a platform built around the concept of ìconnecting people through placesî in a large, multicultural urban center such as Los Angeles.

Ludmilís interest in design that promotes person-to-person communication is rooted in his life experience and professional background. Born and raised in the formerly communist Bulgaria, his adventurous spirit and curiosity led him to discover spelunking and rock climbing. His appetite for interculturalism was sparked during travels throughout the former eastern block countries, where he experienced the challenges and delights of learning to communicate across cultural lines. During a caving trip to Western Europe he defected to Italy, and spent over a year as a political refugee. His emigration journey landed him in Los Angeles - one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.

Ludmilís professional education, practice in photography and affinity with technology persuaded him to complete a Communication Arts degree at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. Subsequently, during the Dot-Com era, he was part of several startups. The most notable of these was Help City ñ a locally based directory and information service implemented in English, Spanish and Chinese. There he had pivotal oversight responsibilities over the development and deployment of the core company mission. An invitation to teach design at Otis provided an opportunity to engage aspiring young designers with issues of intercultural understanding and exchange.

He continues to put his ideas into practice, embarking on projects involving a multitude of cultures, social practices and technologies. By so doing, he deepens his understanding of a design philosophy tested, developed and refined over the course of a lifetime.