Introduction to Bioinspired Textile Design Theory and Practice Online Short Course

Course Details

The Introduction to Bioinspired Textile Design Theory and Practice Online Short Course is designed to introduce students to a new perspective for creating a more sustainable textile practice based on biology and materials science.

Topics Covered

• Week 1: Introduction
  • What is Bioinspired Textiles (BIT)?
  • Bio informed, biodesign and biomaterials
  • Method of mapping individual practice in bio informed design
  • Overview of BIT framework
  • Basic material properties of textiles
• Week 2: Biological Structural Design Elements Part 1
  • Deep dive into case studies from biology
  • Translating biology and material science for a design audience
  • 8 Biological Structural Design Elements and textile design
  • Helical Structure
  • Cellular
• Week 3: Biological Structural Design Elements Part 2
  • Overlap
  • Gradient
  • Layer
  • Suture
• Week 4: Evaluation methods
  • During this session, you will learn about different methods used to assess relevant mechanical properties of textiles and simple ways to test your textiles in a studio / home environment.
• Week 5: Sustainability
  • The focus of this session is understanding how biology via the BIT framework can help us improve the resource efficiency, recovery and longevity of our design practice.
• Week 6: Case studies
  • During this final session, we will reflect on the lessons from previous sessions by reviewing a series of case studies of professional textile designers who have applied the Bioinspired Textile design framework to their own practice.