Understanding Biodesign, Biomaterials and Biodegradability

Understanding Biodesign, Biomaterials and Biodegradability

Cassie Quinn Wednesday, 1 December 2021

This 17 minute lesson helps you understand what biodesign, biomaterials and biodegradability mean, under the umbrella of regenerative textiles. Cassie Quinn is a designer, maker and researcher under self-founded consultancy and studio CQ Studio. Cassie joins us to impart wisdom and clear up some complex terminology that is frankly bandied about within all industries as a marketing point for sustainability. But how can you actually utilise biomaterials and biodesign for a product that is supposed to last many years, for instance shoes, accessories or soft furnishings? Or what and how should you design if you want your materials to biodegrade quickly, such as with certain fast fashion items?

This is an illuminating Lesson that will debunk terms, give practical guidance on using biomaterials, and raise awareness on how they fit into current (and future) systems.


In this Lesson you will learn:

  • An introduction to Cassie and her studio
  • What regenerative means in terms of agriculture and textiles
  • What Biodesign means
  • The scaleability of Biodesign in industry
  • The limitations and issues when working with biomaterials
  • The importance of communication and educating consumers and stakeholders
  • Circularity in Biodesign
  • Conditions for Biodegradability and the Meaning of Anaerobic
  • Advice for designers looking to work with Biomaterials

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