Biomimetic Design: BCI Visualizing Design

Date: 4/1/23

Location: Carbondale, Colorado

Conditions: Grey, and DUMPING wet heavy snow, with big fat snowflakes. Very much a spring snow.

Intent of Session: Contemplate about your biomimetic design (for biomimetic individual term project) as if it were already done, performing several functions using bio-inspired strategies.

Imagine: Imagine how much more sustainable and innovative your design is compared to a conventional counterpart. Briefly describe something that emerged from your BCI session that makes you excited about your project.

So for my individual term project, I was aiming to create a technical outerwear fabric without the use of petroleum based fibers (polyester, nylon, etc.) as these materials use a non-renewable resource and do not biodegrade, making them very unsustainable. However, how do we argue with the fact that these materials are EXCELLENT at protecting from weather such as rain, wind, snow, and from cold temperatures? I argue that nature does this all the time, so there must be a more natural solution for humans to protect from the elements as well.

My design consists of using wool that is a renewable resource, and already contains water resistant elements to it. Wool can also be shaped and molded, and therefore there are opportunities to shape and mold it in a way to repel water, as well as retain heat. It excites me to think that there is enough technology and innovation today to consider an alternative in more nature based protection from the elements, rather than just sticking to what we know in petroleum based. There was a time in apparel history where the use of polyester and nylon were considered “top” technology, but I think there is room for creative innovation here. Additionally, companies such as Patagonia who have the R&D teams and funds to front this work, could come up with great options for the alternative.

As I sit in the wet spring snow coming down, I notice a group of Robins huddled together in a tree. They looked so lovely black and brown contrasted to the grey and white of the aspen tree and the snow falling around them. Seeing the group of birds huddled together, I begin to consider that although my design offers an initial launching off point for an alternative than can work, I believe (as of now) its performance will still be lacking in comparison to that of petroleum based fibers. So I wonder, what are other alternatives to making outerwear more sustainable? Especially considering that outerwear often means providing a way for humans to get out and BE in nature. Seems quite ironic to wear something not so friendly to nature, in order to be out to enjoy nature.

In not fighting the durability aspect of petroleum based fibers, maybe we consider that an advantage? Let us use the long life span of these products be an opportunity to consider more circularity in fashion. How can we create more channels for taking back and reselling apparel, and repair options? I very much believe there is big opportunity here as well. Just some food for thought….

Also, found this meme very much relevant!