Rethinking Design Education: The Biodesign Approach
Roofia Farheen, Punyotai Thamjamrassri, Yong-Ki Lee

Dongseo University Graduate School Department of Design, Busan, South Korea.

Abstract

Sustainability in design is a significant problem that can be addressed through collaboration between biology and design. Currently, these fields are not well-connected and their potential for synergy remains largely untapped. Designers have traditionally drawn inspiration from nature and its materials. However, a recent trend has emerged where they are incorporating and modifying living organisms in their work. While some activities are taking place in this direction, a solid framework is missing. To achieve sustainability in the field of design, it is crucial to bridge the gap between design and biology and foster collaboration between these disciplines. We are proposing a framework to connect design and biology through service design methods with a focus on problem definition rather than problem-solving. These methods include various service design tools such as Value Proposition, Persona, Customer Journey Map, Service Blueprint, and UX Research. By using these methods, we acquire valuable insights, establish clear value propositions, understand user requirements, plan user journeys, analyze service processes, and design user experiences. Five design teams successfully utilized our comprehensive framework and presented detailed concepts for their Biodesign projects. Through thorough analysis of their design results, we engaged in extensive discussions regarding the future direction of Biodesign education. Our significant contribution lies in proposing vital stepping stones for an actionable framework that effectively bridges the gap between design principles and the intricate field of biology.

Keywords: Design Education, Biodesign, Service Design, Sustainability

Topic: Development Studies and Humanities