Lecture | The Foundations and Future of Biodesign

Biodesign is an expansive field that lies at the convergence of biotechnology, design, and speculation. This method of making draws inspiration from and collaborates with natural processes and biological organisms. Many designers, scientists, and investors see biodesign as an inevitable progression of the skills and techniques we use to create the objects and materials of our everyday lives. From construction materials to genome editing, biodesign is making an appearance everywhere. Additionally, increased interest in biodesign has come at a time when the convergence of science, technology, and near-intractable problems need multidisciplinary solutions. Many designers believe turning to nature will help humanity to solve some of our most pressing issues.

This lecture series will explore the history of biodesign and new developments within the field, discussing its potential to be a leading field of the future. This course is perfect for those interested in learning more about biotechnology, biology, design, new developments in robotics, speculative design, and sustainability. Throughout the course, attendees will learn the techniques and science behind some of the most interesting and innovative design solutions and analyze their potential effects on the everyday systems of the future.

Session 1: Introduction To Biodesign

This session will explore the foundations of biodesign by defining what it is and providing its historical and cultural contexts. The lecturer will make distinctions between the different practices within the field and critically look at the plausibility of several projects and proposed solutions. This class will lay the contextual and semantic foundations needed to move through the lecture series with ease.