Elvin Karana is a Professor of Materials Innovation and Design at the TU Delft | Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering and a global frontrunner in the field of biodesign research. In this interview, we explore what inspires her to study at the intersection of biology and design. What the not-so-distant future holds for biodesign research. And what makes her research group so unique.
Photo taken during the final exhibition of the Material Driven Design course.
You are intrigued with microbes. Where does this come from?
I got to know the US based company Ecovative Design, through its co-founder Eben Bayer’s TED Talk about growing materials with mycelium. He talked about radical changes in the packaging industry thanks to biomaterials. I was captivated by the concept of growing materials, which has the potential to fundamentally transform product design and manufacturing, a field now known as biodesign.
Initially I was more interested in the sustainable material alternatives we could design with organisms like fungi and algae. But when I delved into these organisms, I was completely amazed by their capabilities. They have networks, communicate, exhibit agency, and display a form of intelligence that differs from what we are accustomed to. They are the dominant life form on our planet, and yet, there are still many things we don’t know about them.
What is the appeal of studying and teaching design?
The most valuable lesson I learned during my industrial design studies is the impact design has on our interactions, experiences, and the broader ecosystem through the artifacts we design. Take the water bottle on this table for example. Its appearance, texture, usability, portability, lifecycle have all been meticulously designed. That goes for everything we see around us.
Where do design and biology meet?
Conventionally product design focuses on the mechanics and working principles of objects. However, as we are increasingly challenged to consider design within a broader ecological context, viewing products as integral parts of evolving ecosystems, designers must deepen their understanding of natural biological systems.
The most valuable lesson I learned during my industrial design studies was the impact design has on our interactions, experiences, and the broader ecosystem through the artifacts we design.
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Elvin Karana
And to seamlessly integrate biology into design, we need novel teaching and research methods, updated facilities and equipment, and a multidisciplinary team. In our very own Biodesign Lab, which opened in 2022, microbiologists and design researchers work as part of the same team.
It has been 18 months since the Biodesign Lab opened. What has this meant for you and the team?
Before the Biodesign Lab, we relied on various biolabs across the country. Now, we can develop and test our biomaterials in-house. I remember a researcher coming to me, almost in tears of joy, expressing her happiness at being able to simply go downstairs to conduct her experiments instead of commuting to other labs and seeking permission to use their facilities.
This advancement has significantly increased our efficiency, but perhaps more importantly, it has fostered stronger bonds and a deeper understanding among our researchers towards the organisms they interact with daily. Our lab combines the rigor of a biological science lab with the experimental freedom of a design studio, a fusion that is still uncommon in the field of design.
Our new Biodesign Lab fostered stronger bonds and a deeper understanding among our researchers towards the organisms they interact with daily.
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Elvin Karana
In your inaugural speech you said that technology makes us lose our connection with nature. Should Delft University of Technology add ‘Bio’ to ‘Technology’?
Yes, we need to reconnect with nature, and our dependency on technology and increasing engagement with social media has hindered that connection. However, I also emphasized that technology can be a valuable tool to help us rebuild that bond with nature. This is one of the reasons we – Zjenja Doubrovski, Holly McQuillan, Joana Martins, Stefano Parisi, and I – founded the Centre of Design Research for Regenerative Material Ecologies (DREAM).
What sets Industrial Design Engineering apart as a faculty is our commitment to considering societal and environmental aspects when developing new material technologies. We not only explore the potential of technology for new functions but also for innovative ways of living that promote sustainable futures. This is the essence of what DREAM represents
What does the biodesign world look like beyond TU Delft?
One prominent figure in biodesign is Carole Collet. She is Professor in Design for Sustainable Futures at Central Saint Martins in London. In 2013, Carole organized one of the first bioart exhibitions in Paris, showcasing innovative design practices at the intersection of design and biology. She is a pioneer in promoting how designers can engage with biology.
On the science and engineering side, Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) are gaining increasing attention. I have the privilege of collaborating with notable experts in this field, including Professor Tom Ellis from Imperial College London, Professor Markus Linder from Aalto University, and Dr. Marie-Eve Aubin Tam from TU Delft's Applied Science department. Through our EIC Pathfinder project, titled NextSkins, we are developing two types of multi-layered therapeutic and regenerative living materials, each with distinct application areas.
Who is inspiring you to take your research to a next level?
Mark Bedau is a writer and philosopher, he is also the co-founder of the European Center for Living Technology. He views AI as a living entity, akin to biology, both characterized by growth and unpredictability. Biology has contributed to the development of AI, and AI now enhances our understanding of cell behavior. There is still much to explore in this space. For us, integrating AI into our biodesign work represents the next step forward.
You have a tight and proud group of researchers. What is the secret sauce to having a motivated team?
Three principles are crucial when I select team members: trust, care, and kindness. I've been fortunate in the past to gather the right people, and I never make decisions alone. I seek input from diverse team members who will closely collaborate with any new addition. Any toxicity can harm the group’s dynamic, so the ability to work together is essential.
To foster group cohesion, we engage in various activities. We organize writing and critical reading retreats, celebrate our successes, and even enjoy dancing together. Creating a culture where people can thrive and connect is very important to me.
To foster group cohesion, we engage in various activities. We organize writing and critical reading retreats, celebrate our successes, and even enjoy dancing together.
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Elvin Karana
If you could dream big, what would you like to have achieved by the end of your career?
I've always said we will be the center that trains the best design researchers in the world, and I believe this is not just a dream. I am extremely proud of my PhD candidates. Their success demonstrates the effectiveness of our collective efforts. My next big goal is to establish a DREAM School to train future design students with in-depth knowledge and skills in regenerative design, with a focus on biology, ecology, computation (AI), materials science, and engineering. I am excited about the journey ahead!
