Studio: Speculative (Mycology) Lamp Concept
RMIT University, Industrial Design (Year 2) [With Benjamin Tang, Guo Wei Yuan & Rori Pidcock] Unsustainable production methods are propelling research into new types of materials and possible applications, particularly in the area of Bio-materials and the new field of BioDesign. Mycelium is touted as a new bio-material but current applications are sparse. It can be grown DIY style or scaled and controlled into mass production. This studio explores the potential for Mycelium to be used across a wide range of applications. This studio pairs with Melbourne’s Mycelium Studios—leading experts in this cutting edge area to investigate and speculate new scenarios. What new industries and applications can mycelium be used for? Students will apply known and new Industrial Design methods to this potential new industry. Mycelium studios is passionate about advancing Mycelium as a widely used material in Industrial outcomes. This studio links with their aims to develop new products, scenarios and applications through a combination of materials research and speculative scenarios development. We researched and documented the material capabilities of mycelium, proposing new applications for existing or new products or industries. Learning to grow mycelium, work with material samples, test its capabilities in current production processes and/or develop speculative processes or applications. We documented their materials research, exploration and design development through an iterative process of matching new scenarios with materials capabilities, prototype proposals visualised in presentation techniques to the clients. Outcomes will be a process folio of their research and design journey, an Industry standard pitch presentation and a 3D Mycelium artefact or outcome of an experimental process.