The BBoBB project has launched the second edition of the Biodesign Toolkit, now available in print and online at https://www.biodesigntoolkit.com/. The toolkit supports designers in working with biobased materials and includes case studies, a glossary, and a custom ChatGPT bot.
The first series of Biodesign workshops within the BBoBB project kicked off in January. In each North Sea Region (NSR), selected designers were invited to explore the local crops they will be working with to develop new biobased products. These crops vary across the regions such as hemp, miscanthus, flax, and cattail.
During the workshops, designers were introduced to the Biodesign Toolkit, which supports them in exploring the local bioeconomy while considering both the man-made world and the biosphere. Biodesign is, by definition, the design discipline where we create with, for, and of nature.
From Pilot to Second Edition-The Biodesign Toolkit
The Biodesign Toolkit was developed by our Belgian partners Design.Nexus (Ghent University) in the context of Bert Vuylsteke’s doctoral research and co-facilitated by the Province of Friesland.
The toolkit informs, inspires, and encourages designers to take action. It helps them uncover blind spots, overcome design blockages, reflect on decisions, and move forward in their creative process. Check the link for more information about the first edition.
The first edition of the toolkit, presented in a card game format, was launched earlier as a pilot. Designers tested it during workshops, after which their feedback was collected through focus group discussions. This input was analyzed and translated into insights and improvements for a second edition of the toolkit.
Jolan Soens and Bert Vuylsteke traveled last week to our Danish partners to organize a full-day workshop to introduce and test this new edition, both in theory and practice. Thanks to the support of the Province of Friesland, the second edition has now been officially printed and is ready for wider use.
Official Website Now Online
In addition to the printed toolkit, we are excited to announce the launch of the official Biodesign Toolkit website: https://www.biodesigntoolkit.com/
On the website you can find:
- The full Biodesign Toolkit
- Background information and the research underpinning its development
- Case studies showcasing toolkit applications
- A glossary to explain key terms and concepts
- A link to a custom GPT chatbot, trained on the Biodesign Toolkit, designed to support and guide designers in their work with biobased materials
With this second edition and its online platform, we aim to strengthen the role of biodesign in shaping a sustainable bioeconomy across the North Sea Region.
