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Study Details: and require team-based learning, development, and submissions. Some projects in this unit may incorp
Biodesign is a rapidly evolving cross-disciplinary design field, often involving professionals from diverse fields such as biology, chemistry, biotechnology, computation and design. Due to its interdisciplinary nature and evolving applications, biodesign can be defined by other terms and practices such as bio-inspired, bio-integrated, biomimetic or biophilic design with the common goal of an integration of biological systems into design processes and technologies. As a result, there may be variations in how different individuals, organizations, or disciplines interpret and define “biodesign”.
While they vary in definition, they all relate to how we might create ecologically driven and socially conscious design with less environmental impact originated by patterns and behaviours associated with human consumption of resources, and interactions with the environment.
The MA Biodesign at Central Saint Martins specifically understands biodesign as a cross-disciplinary design approach, a means to incorporate intrinsic principles of biological living systems - to redefine the use of energy, water, air, waste and materials and thus foster a more holistic, regenerative and symbiotic future.
The course prompts students to consider:
We select applicants according to potential and current ability in the following areas:
These criteria are assessed through a review of the Personal Statement, Portfolio and Interview.
You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application.
Interviews are only arranged on the basis that the digital portfolio and video task demonstrates the applicant’s ability to skilfully generate and communicate a range of ideas addressing problems relevant to the discipline of biodesign.
We are looking for people who are personally committed to contributing to ecologically driven design strategies through their own design practice and who are excited about the potential of biodesign practices to contribute to this. Successful applicants will be able to embrace iterative, speculative and experimental approaches and will relish the opportunity to articulate and debate how their work can contribute to the wider issues relating to symbiotic and environmentally conscious design.
MA Biodesign gradually guides you towards a design enquiry by developing a biodesign agenda in a topic related to your interests, knowledge and skills in agreement with your tutors. You will be expected to engage with relevant theoretical, scientific, design, and cultural references aligned with the course emphasis on eco-literacy, eco-activism, bio-aesthetics and bio-ethical issues related to responsible use of living organisms, potential impacts on ecosystems, and the implications of manipulating biological systems.
Unit 1: Introducing Biological Systems
This unit establishes the foundations of biodesign with the integration of the living sciences in design practices. The discipline is introduced by looking at complex systems, natural and artificial intelligence alike across multiple scales and time dimensions to help understand interactions between living and non- living systems. This understanding of complex interconnectedness and relationships between the living and the non-living is a core component of the unit’s overall agenda.
The unit is structured with a series of taught sessions where you will be introduced to laboratory protocols and explore a range of bio-informed design strategies in design briefs. The unit will include field work and lab sessions that teach students how to investigate, collect, observe and monitor biological systems. These are then grown and manipulated in the lab where design strategies will emerge that drive new forms of seeing, thinking and making.
The design briefs vary in duration and require team-based learning, development, and submissions. Some projects in this unit may incorporate external scientific or industrial partners. Teaching will introduce you to fundamentals of biology and scientific protocols relevant to cross-disciplinary design research.
Unit 1 concludes with the submission of a biodesign portfolio that illustrates and documents all the assignments and design briefs. You will also complete an oral and visual presentation communicating your work. The projects will require predominantly group work and you will be expected to be proactive, responsive, and collaborative in your learning.
Unit 2: The Collaborative Unit
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