Rethinking the Role of Design within the Technological Advancements in Biomimetics and SynBio

Abstract

Digital technological advancements in Synthetic Biology has allowed breakthroughs that surpassed the realm of laboratory confinements to reach public democratization of biotechnology. Many designers are creating speculative objects that are used in possible, often provocative scenarios in order to open discussions and raise awareness. Both Biomimetics and SynBio find common ground in design and biology. In both cases, the designer is, hence, creating new bridges between biology and design. In SynBio, new imaginary products are made tangible to stimulate debate and communicate to the users, thus, a shifting role from the designer as a problem-solver (in Biomimetics) to the designer as a philosophical sense maker (in SynBio). This paper summarizes the findings of a research done within the context of a doctoral research study at IUAV, Istituto Univesitario accademico di Venezia. Comparison of both applications and implications will highlight convergences and divergences in the role of design for the current and next technology in Biomimetics and SynBio.