course
description

Coded Biophilia is a workshop designed to learn basics of soft wearables and the exploration of biological textiles.

During the workshop, students will explore the potential of bacterial cellulose for textile futures in terms of growing living materials and creating speculative scenarios for second skins, sensors, and adaptive responsive structures. Learning new methods of making sensory surfaces for wearables and to envision how biotechnology and new materials will shape our environment. At the end of the workshop, students will be able to identify state-of-the-art soft wearable and bio-textiles applications.

Technology is getting closer and closer to our skin. What we wear today will soon be forgotten and replaced with biological technologies that

are not only changing and challenging the way we consume and experience design and fashion, but also how we relate to and work with nature instead of against it.

At this crucial point, as we tumble towards bio collapse; ensued by our growth-obsessed culture and unsustainable models for living, the challenge and responsibility of contemporary designers, thinkers and researchers is to lead with awareness and sensibility towards both the planet and its people. We have a responsibility to create a space for dialogue and a framework for reflection, to inspire innovation that will disrupt our current fatal model. Through Coded Biophilia and within this space, we have the opportunity to re-think the relationship between technology, design and society.

course outline

Week 1: Introductions

This first week will be a chance for the group to get to know each other, introduce your work and interests as well as getting to know more about Giulia’s practise. There will be an introduction workshop, and an input & output group exercise to get the class started.

Week 2: Bio-textiles

The second week will be learning all about bio-textiles and getting to try out some methods for creating your own. This will be followed by a group brainstorming and then coupling up for projects.

Week 3: Soft Sensors

This week will focus on learning about soft sensors followed by a hands-on session to make some of our own. The group will continue to share ideas and brainstorm for projects.

Week 4: Open Source

This week will look into open-source methods as well as creating some DIY recipes/tutorials to try out.

Week 5: Presentations

During the final week, the group will share and present the recipes and tutorials along with a working prototype created during the class, feeding ideas and reflections back to each other to conclude our time together.

who is this program for?

Coded Biophilia is designed for anyone involved in creative fields interested in engaging with processes and methods of DIY e-textiles and bio-textiles. No previous experience necessary.

what tools does this program aim to teach?

• Coded Biophilia aims to include aspects of materials, tools and models of Do It Yourself practice. Working (remotely) in groups, participants will develop a creative body of visual research, including tactile inspirations and physical samples, document and record all the experiments and processes to finally produce a working prototype and its social context. Participants will be encouraged to reflect upon their process and present findings as a result of designing with e-textiles and foster creativity in a cross-collaborative environment. On the final day of the course, each group will exhibit their final working prototype with visual and tactile documentation that will explain the context.

about live classes

Classes are 'live' meaning that you can directly interact with the instructor as well as with the other participants from around the world. Classes will also be recorded for playback in case you are unable to attend for any reason. That said, we kindly ask that you please only purchase a ticket if you plan to attend regularly. For specific questions, please email us and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

about tickets

Tickets for this class are currently available via Eventbrite. If you would like to avoid Eventbrite fees, please email us for direct payment options.

about VAT

For tax purposes, we need to include the 19% VAT on top of ticket price for people living within the EU. IF YOU LIVE IN THE EU AND HAVE A VAT NUMBER— IT IS VAT ZERO! WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO HAVE AND PROVIDE THIS VAT TAX NUMBER. In order to utilise this feature at checkout, under Registration Type & Tax Receipt Information, select Business (which as a freelancer you technically are), then enter in your USt.ID. If you have any questions, feel free to email us.

about solidarity

We realise we're living in uncertain times. During this time, we are offering a limited number of pay-what-you-can solidarity tickets for this online class. These are reserved for women, POC, and LGBTQ+ who would otherwise be unable to attend. We are a small organisation with no outside funding and like many, we are also in survival mode and we ask you to consider this when making your donation. For more information, see the FAQ page here.

We kindly ask that all pay-what-you-can students register through Eventbrite. Due to reduced staffing, we’re unable to handle specific payment requests for these registrations.

meet the instructor