Hundreds of visitors joined us for NATURE/POSTNATURE, an immersive exhibition showcasing the groundbreaking work of students from the 2018 Biodesign Challenge. This thoughtfully curated event featured 27 innovative projects that envisioned futures where the boundaries between the natural and designed worlds are increasingly blurred. Each piece offered a unique perspective on how organisms, engineered at the cellular level, can become the foundation for new products, experiences, and provocations that challenge our understanding of what is natural.

Selected from over 100 Biodesign Challenge projects developed throughout 2018, the works on display were the result of dynamic collaborations between students, biologists, artists, and designers from institutions worldwide. Many of these interdisciplinary teams explored the intersection of biotechnology and soft goods, presenting concepts for sustainable materials, bioengineered textiles, and wearable innovations that merge biology with comfort and function. The exhibition invited visitors to imagine a world where biotechnology is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, reshaping everything from the objects we use to the ecosystems we inhabit.

NATURE/POSTNATURE not only celebrated the talent and vision of the next generation of biodesigners but also sparked important conversations about the future of design, science, and society. A highlight of the event was the participation of guest Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, who shared her expertise in design, soft goods, and wearable technology with students and fellow innovators. Attendees engaged with interactive displays, thought-provoking prototypes, and detailed research, gaining insight into how biotechnology and soft goods could transform our relationship with nature and redefine the possibilities of design. As the lines between biology and design continue to blur, NATURE/POSTNATURE stands as a testament to the innovative spirit and curiosity driving the future of biodesign.

For more information, explore student projects from 2018 or learn more about the Biodesign Challenge event.