Abstract

This paper presents a pedagogical case study that examines biodesign education as an applied framework for rethinking fashion, drawing on the combined experience and best practices of two established courses, Biodesign: Responding to Complex Challenges and BioFashion. The proposed course, Biodesign: Rethinking Fashion through Biology and Technology, synthesizes pedagogical approaches from both curricula by integrating biodesign, biomimicry, systems thinking, and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to explore how biological processes and computational tools can inform material development, production logics, and ethical decision-making in fashion design. Through project-based learning, students translate scientific research from biology and material science into speculative scenarios and tangible design outcomes, while critically engaging with the social, environmental, and ethical implications of biotechnology in fashion. GenAI is incorporated as a research-support and visualization tool, assisting students in interpreting scientific literature, modeling biological processes, and supporting futureoriented design exploration without replacing creative authorship. The case study presents a replicable instructional model that synthesizes insights from both courses, demonstrating how integrating living systems, technological advances, and critical reflection can prepare designers to address emerging challenges in sustainable material development and fashion.

Keywords

biodesign education, fashion technology, biomaterials, textile innovation, generative AI, sustainable fashion