Good design is key for life on this planet, moving away from destructive, colonial and extractive practices, to center natural healthy systems within our design process is again required. Through an interdisciplinary design lens of art, culture, and nature, students will observe natural phenomena and investigate potential design solutions for current environmental issues and potential future impact, considering the breadth of the natural world - from form to regeneration.

This course introduces various aspects of design in natural systems, including materiality of form, biomimicry, environmental and social systems, biophilia, life cycle analysis, regeneration, and indigenous science. Specific case studies will be considered as well as the view of how different cultures design toward their physical surroundings. As we develop a regenerative design practice, this will require us to embrace the complexity of a system’s interaction, and in taking a systems approach of the life cycle of the product in mind, we will begin to unpack the relationships of form, design, and potential impact. This course will provide a foundational understanding of nature as model, mentor, and measure of design success, with an emphasis on practical skills to inform projects designed for regenerative impact.

This course is a required prerequisite for the Future Structures Spring Studio courses and is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Group. Prior scientific knowledge is not required, but a willingness to engage in the tools, technologies and literature of scientific disciplines is. Students' research may be shared with the sponsor during the duration of the course.

Good design is key for life on this planet, moving away from destructive, colonial and extractive practices, to center natural healthy systems within our design process is again required. Through an interdisciplinary design lens of art, culture, and nature, students will observe natural phenomena and investigate potential design solutions for current environmental issues and potential future impact, considering the breadth of the natural world - from form to regeneration.

This course introduces various aspects of design in natural systems, including materiality of form, biomimicry, environmental and social systems, biophilia, life cycle analysis, regeneration, and indigenous science. Specific case studies will be considered as well as the view of how different cultures design toward their physical surroundings. As we develop a regenerative design practice, this will require us to embrace the complexity of a system’s interaction, and in taking a systems approach of the life cycle of the product in mind, we will begin to unpack the relationships of form, design, and potential impact. This course will provide a foundational understanding of nature as model, mentor, and measure of design success, with an emphasis on practical skills to inform projects designed for regenerative impact.

This course is a required prerequisite for the Future Structures Spring Studio courses and is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Group. Prior scientific knowledge is not required, but a willingness to engage in the tools, technologies and literature of scientific disciplines is. Students' research may be shared with the sponsor during the duration of the course.

During this course we will examine natural environments, systems, processes, and organisms with an intent to design a more circular, and less harmful human-planet experience. Students will embark on a creative and rigorous exploration and application of the deep biomimicry and biodesign methodology as a pathway towards innovative materials, products, manufacturing methods, services, and experiences.These materials and methods will be placed in context to support the Hyundai Motor Group’s theme of future structures, creating solutions that demonstrate our discoveries’ real world applications in the fields of mobility and manufacturing.A close partnership with the RISD Nature Lab and the ID Department will provide access to the expertise and equipment necessary to complete our research.This course features a series of guest lectures and demonstrations throughout the semester to provide insight into the different arms of the quickly expanding field of biodesign and regenerative design, as well as expert guest critics.

Note: The activities in this course are a continuation of Fall research conducted in the HMG sponsored course. SCI 1116 - The Language of Design in Nature is a prerequisite.

Elective