Intro to Biodesign ONLINE - JUNE

Intro to Biodesign: 4-Week Online Seminar Series - June Cohort

Curious about biodesign, living materials, and biomaterials? Join us for a 4-week introductory seminar exploring a series of different making methods within biodesign. This workshop series will provide you with recipies, techniques, demos, and entry points to bringing biodesign into your work or practice.

This weekly online series offers a foundational overview of key concepts, materials, and living systems that are redefining how we think about design and innovation. This series is fully online to provide access to students based outside the UK.

Schedule

June 1st - 7–9 PM GMT / 2–4 PM EST / 11–1 PM PST
June 8th - 7–9 PM GMT / 2–4 PM EST / 11–1 PM PST
June 15th - 7–9 PM GMT / 2–4 PM EST / 11–1 PM PST
June 22nd - 7–9 PM GMT / 2–4 PM EST / 11–1 PM PST

Week 1 – Introduction to Biodesign

Explore the core principles of biodesign through key concepts and real-world case studies. We'll learn about what is going on at the cutting edge of biodesign and the key debates within the movement. This will be the only lecture heavy class in the sequence. There will be optional readings from the key texts that biodesigners draw from.

Week 2 – Introduction to Biofabrication

Learn how organisms like mycelium are used for fabrication. We'll learn how mycelium works, grows, and can be used as a fabrication material. This will include demos of cultivation and fabrication methods. This class will give you an introduction the problems and strengths of designing with living and growing materials, whether it's mycelium, algae, or bacterial cellulose.

Week 3 – Introduction to Biomaterials

Discover the diverse world of biomaterials and their applications across design, architecture, and product development. We'll learn how to make and sculpt with different biomaterials and think about different recipies for different needs. In the class we'll work on making a simple bioceramic material. Ingredients and instructions will be shared with participants so you can follow along practically at home if you wish.

Week 4 – Introduction to Living Systems

Dive into ecological design strategies, including phytoremediation, root system fabric, and composting as dynamic, living processes. We'll have a look at ways to work with living systems combined with creative composting demos, and strategise how to bring the living into our own practices.

Whether you're a designer, artist, scientist, or simply curious, this seminar will give you an introduction and entry points to many different kinds of biodesign practices!

Meet your Instructor

Kirsten Tingle is a biodesigner and artist specialising in mycelium fabrication and regenerative painting. She is a mycelium researcher and lecturer at Lifefabs in Camden, and frequently guest lectures on biodesign philosophy practice across the UK and Europe. Kirsten co-hosts Biodesign Now, the UK's first Biodesign podcast.

Kirsten was a 2024 grant recipient from The British Mycology Society, an artist in residence at The Francis Crick Institute, and holds a masters in Biodesign from Central Saint Martins.

https://www.kirstentingle.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kirstentingle