Biodesign

MA Biodesign explores bio-informed design strategies as a driver for sustainable innovation.

Biodesign is an emerging discipline. Despite a growing number of publications and exhibitions, there is no universal definition of biodesign as such. Other terminologies exist, such as biophilic design, bio-integrated design, biomimetic design and bio-informed design. While they vary in definition, they all relate to a similar principle: that we can learn from nature to create more sustainable ways of living. The MA Biodesign at Central Saint Martins specifically understands biodesign as a means to incorporate the inherent life-conducive principles of biological living systems into design processes – to transition into a more holistic, sustainable future.

MA Biodesign explores bio-informed design strategies as a driver for sustainable innovation. You will articulate alternative and new innovative design propositions for the emerging bio-circular economy. Through this work, you will redefine the use of energy, water, air, waste and materials. The course proposes questions such as:

• How can we collaborate with living systems to prototype new sustainable materials?
• How can we incorporate life-conducive values in the design process towards biocompatible solutions with surrounding ecosystems?
• How can we engineer biological systems in order to tackle contemporary challenges, such as urban resilience, human and environmental health?
• How can biodesign contribute to the circular economy?
• Can bio-computation simulate and model living systems towards energy and material efficiency?

The course will introduce designers from multidisciplinary design backgrounds to whole system thinking, biomimicry principles, biological systems, bio-computational design, digital and bio-fabrication techniques. You will apply these principles to designing new sustainable materials, products, services, systems and architectural propositions. There is a strong emphasis on ethical issues and on learning through making. Theoretical, global cultural and socio-environmental contexts will inform the development of your personal biodesign agenda.