Communication Design Course Hosts International BIP on Biofutures

ISMAT hosts international BIP on Biofutures.

Between February 23rd and 27th, the Communication Design course at the Manuel Teixeira Gomes Higher Institute (ISMAT) hosted the first in-person week of the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) – “Speculative and Performative Design for Biofutures: Expanding Boundaries in Creative Practices and Concepts”, bringing together students, researchers, and professors from various European institutions, namely ISMAT (Portugal), Aalto University (Finland), Howest – University of Applied Sciences (Belgium), and Izmir University of Economics (Turkey).

The program is part of an international initiative dedicated to exploring new approaches at the intersection of design, science, and sustainability, with a particular focus on the potential of macroalgae as a raw material for sustainable futures. Prior to the in-person week in Portimão, participants had a virtual phase between February 9th and 13th, aimed at introducing the program and fostering knowledge among participants. During the week in the Algarve, participants developed a series of interdisciplinary activities that combined scientific research, laboratory experimentation, and speculative design practices. The program included guided visits to S2AQUA – Collaborative Laboratory for Intelligent Sustainable Aquaculture (Tavira and Olhão), where students had direct contact with specialists and different species of macroalgae from the region.

Participants also carried out fieldwork to collect and identify algae, as well as laboratory experimentation sessions, exploring the properties of these organisms, including pigment extraction, textures, and potential applications in biomaterials. To inspire creative processes, on the second day, students participated in small practical workshops focused on the ecological, cultural, and economic significance of algae, including participatory mapping exercises, experiments, and dialogues with researchers and local producers. Guests: Biologist Ricardo Coelho https://salivitae.com/, Chef João Marreiros https://lokirestaurant.com/pt/ and Biologist/Chef Joana Duarte https://www.rotadasalgas.com/about

Simultaneously, speculative and performative design workshops took place, where students were challenged to imagine and prototype possible future applications of algae in social, environmental, and cultural contexts. The week culminated with the presentation of the first results at ISMAT, including reflections, experimental prototypes, and visual documentation of the research and creation process. This BIP promotes an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together students and professors from different countries and areas of knowledge, with the aim of bridging the gap between design and ecological and scientific realities and stimulating new creative practices focused on contemporary environmental challenges.

The initiative also constitutes the starting point for the next international phases of the program, which will take place at other partner institutions in Europe, strengthening collaborative networks between design, scientific research, and sustainable innovation.