Jiaying Qian

*Winner of The Frost Design Prize*

Modina: Co-designing with slime mold and spirulina through speculative wearable bio-facture, 2023

Spirulina biomaterial, TPU tubes, 3D printed resin

The Modina research project proposes an alternative to the ecologically damaging effects of human-centred design. Qian began co-designing with slime, mold and spirulina as experiments in the bio-facture of textiles to explore what was possible for a more-than-human design supply chain. With the aim to mitigate the ongoing environmental impacts of human-centred design, the living organisms and Jiaying co-created a series of speculative wearable designs. Through parametric design, 3D printing, bio-materials, and textile crafting this practice-led design research explores how bio-facture shifts design from anthropocentrism to symbiotic cooperation. Transforming the supply chain through the inclusion of living organisms in the creation of wearable devices demonstrates one approach to a more habitable future.