Of Papers, Portfolios, and Promising Futures

Dear reader,

The world of biodesign stirs. Quietly, boldly. In studios, laboratories, and the imaginations of those who sense more in the living world than mere survival.

In this edition, we share tools not just to make, but to become: an instrument to read science with a designer’s soul, a guide to shape your path with care, and an invitation to step into a community where growth is not rushed, but rooted.

Wherever you are in your journey, know this: the future is not waiting. It is listening.

2x New Biodesign Toolkits: Now Available

1. Biotech Paper Scanner Custom GPT

Want to read biotech papers like a designer?

Most research papers weren’t written with artists, architects, or speculative technologists in mind, so we fixed that.

Introducing our Paper Scanner GPT, a custom AI tool trained to evaluate scientific papers through a design lens. Drop in an abstract, and get back a scorecard with:

• Design Potential (0–10)

• Tags like Organism, Toolkit, Interface

• Future signals and speculative sketch prompts

• A simple ✓/✗: Is this worth your time?

Perfect for studio projects, thesis prep, or just keeping your curiosity sharp.

You can Try the GPT here.

2. Biodesign Portfolio Sprint Kit

If you’re applying to a Master’s in Biodesign or Regenerative Design this year, this is for you.

I’ve created the Biodesign Portfolio Sprint Kit: a fast-start, 5-day guide to help you draft a strong, clear, and credible portfolio from scratch. No filler. No fluff. Just structure, prompts, and a clear path to five solid case studies.

What’s inside:

• A 5-day sprint planner

• 12 research-backed project prompts

• Guidance on ethics, experimentation, and program alignment

This is the same structure I use when coaching applicants one-on-one. Now it’s available to all newsletter subscribers.

→ Access the full kit here.

If you already have a draft portfolio and want expert eyes on it, you can also book a 30- or 60-minute Portfolio Diagnosis Session. Email me directly at [email protected] to book a slot.

More tools for students coming soon. Stay tuned.

Featured Course

Sustainable Futures: Nature + Design + Creativity (HvA)

Applications close 25 May

Led by biodesign researcher Sam Edens, this transdisciplinary minor invites curious and courageous students, from designers and engineers to storytellers and economists, to tackle real-world problems through a regenerative lens.

Sam brings a background in design and philosophy to her work, combining deep curiosity with inclusive ecological thinking.

She coordinates the Biomaterials Studio, a hands-on community lab at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences where students, teachers, and researchers experiment with living materials like fungi, algae, bacterial dyes, and bioplastics.

The course blends biodesign, systems thinking, speculative prototyping, and cultural research. Students will ground their interventions in local contexts while collaborating across disciplines to reimagine what sustainable design can be: from aesthetics to ethics.

Info + apply by 25 May 2025, through this link Or contact Sam directly: [email protected]

Coming Soon: Foundational Tier Article on Choosing Your Path

We’re putting the finishing touches on a new premium article for Foundational Tier members.

Biodesign vs. Regenerative Design: A Strategic Guide is a deep dive for students and early-career professionals weighing their next move. It covers:

• The differences between biodesign and regenerative design

• Case studies, career paths, and academic programs

• A decision-making framework to align your values, skills, and ambitions

Whether you're lab-minded, systems-driven, or somewhere in between, this guide is designed to help you choose with clarity and confidence.

🕒 Dropping soon, watch this space.

(This article will be available exclusively to Foundational Tier members.)

Find and Land Biodesign Internships

At Biodesign Academy, we often hear from companies eager to hire students with interdisciplinary skill sets in biology, design, and emerging tech.

We're also hearing from students looking for meaningful internships that go beyond pipetting or poster/slide-making.

So, we're building something to help bridge the gap.

If you're a student interested in biodesign internships, we're creating a shared database of candidates that can be matched with relevant opportunities across Europe, North America, and beyond. Whether you're focused on living materials, protein engineering, or speculative design, this is for you.

What we’ll do:

• Create an internal talent list that partner labs, startups, and studios can view (with your consent).

• Share occasional openings directly with you.

• Feature select profiles in our newsletter or on LinkedIn to increase visibility.

If you’re a student (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD), or recently graduated: fill in the 2-minute form here.

If you’re a company or lab open to hosting an intern, reply to this email or message us. Let’s grow the field together.

That’s it for now… and let this be your signpost, not your destination. Whether you are crafting your portfolio, reading life’s patterns anew, or offering your hands to shape the futures of others… your presence matters.

And in this strange, unfolding age, may your designs carry both wildness and wisdom.

Until next time,

Raphael

Biodesign Academy