Course Syllabus

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Tu 4:00pm to 6:00pm
AVERY HALL 408  
Chris Woebken <cw3178@columbia.edu>      

Course description

In this course, students will study methods for interacting with biological ecologies at multiple scales and learn from biologists and ecologists to identify new potentials in designing for biological systems. Students will examine mutual relationships to nature base processes and bring to life new approaches by growing and fabricating models and artifacts. Possible project outcomes will be physical devices in the form of multispecies interfaces, bio-receptive materials, and infrastructure modifications that propose mutualistic multispecies collaborations. By going through a process of decentering the human perspective we aim to create a reflective space for deeply considering the details of these new interactions, and discovering unforeseen opportunities, twists and challenges. The course will conclude with an exhibition inviting the general public to visit, touch, and interact with the created artifacts in a real-world setting.  

 

Learning Objectives

By the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Explore new roles for design and new forms of critical engagement through collaborative work across disciplines
  • Experimentation with biomaterials
  • Gain an understanding of design as a mode of inquiry, and design as a means of facilitating discussion and debate
  • Learn how to use fictional narratives to open a debate about alternative futures
  • Combine alternative world-views with emerging technology

 

Course Materials

  • Shared Google Drive Folder (Presentation Material & Communication)
    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AxynyqoFu6uaOC9PFRD0AnbTMKrskvU5?usp=sharing
  • Physical Prototyping (We will be building objects. Expect to put up to $100 aside for prototyping materials. We’ll work on partnership options to scale up the fabricated prototypes for anything that goes beyond that.)
  • Readings (will be supplied for you as downloadable PDFs or links)

 

Weekly schedule (with activities and assignments):

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ljX64xuawuVCua_xmlUx5c4Sp8AMp3GACWqJ-8uiLj4/edit?usp=sharing

 

Class Rules

Attendance

Everyone does their best to show up to class on time. If you’re going to be late, let me know in advance. If you need to miss a class for a real reason, you must also let me know in advance.

Readings

Everyone does the readings. For the most part, they’re short, fun, and useful. You’re expected to be prepared and ready to participate in the discussion. 

Assignments

All assignment work is due at the beginning of class. Everyone gets a free pass for one late assignment. After that, any assignments not ready for the start of class will be counted as incomplete. Assignments must be posted to our shared Google Drive in the appropriate folder (your name), along with the documentation.

Materials

We will be making things and building objects. Expect to spend $100 for physical fabrication and prototyping materials.

Critiques

Every student is expected to participate in critiques and class discussions. Critiques are essential to the design process inside and outside of this class. You are expected to apply critical thinking, ask questions, and formulate and explain your opinion. The more active the discussions we have the more rewarding and ultimately fun the class will be.

Assignments and projects

Thorough and on-time completion of all assignments is essential. Failure to meet deadlines and late or incomplete assignments will dramatically reduce your grade. Repeated or chronic lateness or incomplete assignments will result in a failing grade for the course.

 

Deliverables

For successful completion of the class, the students will deliver:

  • Process documentation
  • Project Documentation of Project 1/Project 2
  • Physical Models
  • Story / functional illustrations
  • Website documenting the process of creation of the project above
  • Physical models (hybrid biological / digital artifacts, along with photo documentation and description)
  • Exhibition design, setup and online documentation

Upload your deliverables in a folder titled with your Firstname Lastname here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gkEXGPyyxmz0ZzPqv-F7dtLYZI0F3lUP?usp=sharing

 

Evaluation and Final Grade Calculation

10% Attendance / Participation 

10% Readings* 

20% Round 1: artifact development 

20% Exhibition Design / setup 

20% Round 2: artifact development 

10% Functional illustrations 

10% Publishing & Disseminating 

 

100% TOTAL 

 

Inspiring Readings & viewings

https://www.noemamag.com/the-model-is-the-message/

 

Local Biological Resources

By no means a comprehensive listing.

 

Online Biological Resources

By no means a comprehensive listing.

 

Biological Information Databases

By no means a comprehensive listing.

  • Ask Nature: Biological strategies database (e.g. how does nature break down, store, make, protect, etc.)
  • GlobBi: Species interaction data (e.g. predator-prey, pollinator-plant, pathogen-host, parasite-host, etc.)
  • Materiom: Open source recipes and data on biomaterials
  • Materiability: Mostly open-source material database, including biomaterials, with recipes and tutorials

Course Summary:

Date Details Due