Friday inspo: Biodesign FTW

I have a really deep passion for biodesign and think that when applied well, it is an exciting and promising emerging area of research. Here are a few finds that I loved reading about this week along with some AIGen artwork.

1. AI-Gen Weaving Patterns

Researchers and artists are collaborating with AI to develop new weaving techniques that optimize material efficiency and durability. AI can analyze traditional craft patterns and suggest eco-friendly alternatives, helping designers reduce fabric waste and create biodegradable textiles. Projects like MIT’s computational textile experiments show how machine learning can revitalize age-old crafts while promoting sustainability in fashion.

2. AI-Assisted Pottery with Natural Materials

I can easily imagine a ceramic studio where AI-driven tools assist artisans in creating clay objects with zero waste. Some designers are already using AI to predict kiln behavior, allowing for more sustainable firing methods. Others are experimenting with designs using generative algorithms, blending traditional craft with cutting-edge technology, a beautiful example of past-meets-future innovation. There's no question that the ceramics space is a real opportunity for AI, read more here.

3. Particle falls

Environmental artist Andrea Polli developed “Particle Falls,” a real-time visualization of air quality data projected onto urban surfaces. Using a nephelometer, the installation detects particulate matter in the air and translates this data into a cascading waterfall of light, with color changes indicating varying pollution levels. Displayed in cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, and Pittsburgh, “Particle Falls” raises public awareness about air pollution through immediate, visual representation.

4. Biofabricated Art

What if sculptures could grow and decompose naturally? Artists like Julia Lohmann and Neri Oxman are using biodesign principles to create AI-optimized structures from living organisms, like algae, fungi, and bacteria. AI helps map growth patterns, ensuring that these artworks are structurally sound and biodegradable. This intersection of craft, AI, and nature redefines what it means to create responsibly.

5. Gathering Lamp

The Gathering Lamp is available as an ultra-limited run of 10, and at first glance, it’s got a brutalist, minimal feel, a clean, no-fuss, 9-inch-tall light that wouldn’t look out of place in a modernist dream home. But what makes it really interesting isn’t just the design, it’s the material. Instead of traditional concrete, it’s made from a carbon-saving material where bacteria literally grow cement. A small but mighty example of how biodesign is pushing sustainable materials forward in ways we’re only just starting to tap into.

Human prompt

Spend 10mins thinking about how to use natural materials for an object you use every day: what are the options, what are the limitations, what makes it beautiful? What's important to you? Push your thinking beyond the obvious. What if your phone case was made of pressed algae? Could a bike be grown instead of manufactured?