A Starter framework for Master’s‑level biodesign & regenerative‑design applicants
Made by Raphael Kim, PhD.
I’ve personally reviewed 100‑plus admission portfolios for programmes like CSM (UAL), RCA, UCL, TU Delft, etc. The strongest candidates aren’t the flashiest: they frame original ideas, show process, and ground their work in living‑systems thinking.
This 5‑day sprint helps you reach that level quickly, building five draft case studies ready for further polish.
Use the kit as a foundation. Add depth, prototypes and citations afterwards.
| # | Prompt Concept | Snapshot (What you might explore) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Invisible-ecosystem diagnostic tool | Design a low-cost device or interface that makes hidden microbial or fungal activity visible in everyday spaces. |
| 2 | CRISPR as public utility | Speculate on a civic service where residents request genome edits like building permits; map user journey, ethics, and governance. |
| 3 | Microbe-responsive wearable | Create a garment or patch that changes colour or texture in response to skin-microbiome signals. |
| 4 | Compost-positive packaging | Redesign single-use food wrap that actively nourishes soil when discarded; include decomposition timeline and nutrient profile. |
| 5 | Olfactory climate dashboard | Build a scent-emitting installation that communicates real-time air-quality or carbon data through distinct aromas. |
| 6 | Kitchen-scale biomaterial kit | Prototype a DIY kit to grow mycelium or bacterial cellulose at home with basic utensils; map instructions and fail-safes. |
| 7 | 2050 bio-lab for students | Envision a future classroom where biology experiments are as routine as coding labs; detail space, safety, and hands-on modules. |
| 8 | Synthetic-photosynthesis device | Design a product that captures light to produce fuel or food, inspired by artificial-leaf research; outline lifecycle and deployment. |
| 9 | Post-carbon ritual artefact | Craft an object used in a future ceremony celebrating decarbonised agriculture; describe material choice and symbolic role. |
| 10 | Soil-to-sound translator | Create a probe or app that converts soil-health metrics into audio landscapes, enabling farmers to ‘hear’ ecosystem status. |
| 11 | AI-generated organism risk map | Visualise environmental scenarios from widespread release of AI-designed microbes; propose monitoring strategy. |
| 12 | DNA-memory interface | Sketch an interface allowing users to write and retrieve personal data stored in DNA; tackle access control and data longevity. |
Pick five prompts or remix them to anchor your case studies.
