Individual Response
In the reading Natsai Audrey Chieza’s project, “Design Fictions” explores how synthetic biology and design might reshape human identity in the future. I chose this project because it connects to our idea of creating hybrid humans (cyborgs) by combining biomaterials and electronics. Both projects imagine humans as adaptable beings, evolving with new materials and technologies.
Chieza’s project includes ideas like Voluntary Mutations, Parasitic Prosthetics, and Bio-Collectibles. These concepts show how synthetic biology could enhance or change the human body. For example, Voluntary Mutations imagines people customizing their bodies with DIY genetic tools, while Parasitic Prosthetics proposes using organisms to help humans adapt to new environments. These speculative ideas challenge our understanding of human autonomy and raise ethical questions about merging biology with technology.
This project ties to class readings on the Anthropocene, particularly the idea of humans’ impact on nature and the need to create sustainable futures. Chieza imagines a post-Anthropocene world where humans work with nature through biological and technological hybrids, rather than dominating it. This connects to ideas from Haraway’s “Cyborg Manifesto,” which encourages breaking down barriers between human, nature, and machine.
From a speculative design perspective, Chieza’s project inspires critical thinking by imagining alternative futures. It aligns with my understanding of speculative design as a way to challenge current norms and propose new possibilities. While her project focuses on biological changes, my project explores the combination of biomaterials and electronics, specifically using biomaterials to replace the metal components traditionally associated with cyborgs. This approach not only redefines the visual and functional aspects of cyborgs but also questions how natural and technological elements can work together in a more sustainable and organic way. This difference highlights how speculative design can approach similar themes in unique and innovative directions.
One idea I found especially inspiring is the focus on accessibility and participation. Chieza imagines these technologies as tools anyone could use to customize their body. This makes me think about how cyborg designs could be personalized and available to everyone. The Bio-Collectibles also encourage me to consider how hybrid designs could reflect cultural identity and personal expression, pushing my project beyond just functionality.
Prototype for Project 2
This week, Jacenia and I worked on our concept of the cyborg, trying to create a work about the hybrid of human beings, nature and technology (electronics)
Prototype 1
Recipe: 160g borax powder, 400ml hot water
We try to grow crystal over the electronics and we feel that it works. In order to make it fits better with the shape of the body, maybe we would consider to connect it with cloth
Other test:
We also test the recipe of ALUM CRYSTALS ON SILK and because of the limitation of the material, the crystal growing on it looks tiny. We need to test this recipe in relatively big amount
Prototype 2
We experiment on soy wax and beeswax (50g each and combine them together) and try to put our electronics inside. Quickly we find that we need to use the silicone model to shape it since we can not remove it from the glass container well… But the good thing is that wax can be reshaped when we melt it. In that case, we can repeat to test with the same material.
wax + electronics
discovery: wax can form irregular shapes instantly when poured directly into cold water
wax + electronics + fabric ; easier to demould but hard to maintain its shape 
wearable test
added tea leaves 
(also test to put it over the borax solution to see if crystal can grow on it)
Prototype 3
We use the gelatin recipe (180g water, 36g gelatin and 15g glycerin) and pour half of the mixture into the container, and put our electronics into it.
We also sprayed some of the borax solution onto it and expected the crystal would grow on it but maybe because the amount of solution was not enough the crystal was too tiny
Prototype 4
We combine the other half of the gelatin mixture with about 30 grams of beeswax and we find that the mixture dries very fast and it easy to create a shape. It looks consistent with the grapefruit peel fabric we created before. We also find that applying wax to the cloth is helpful in fixing the shape of the cloth
Plan A
Work with crystal, cloth and electronics to create a more natural combination of nature and technology. And also work more with the gelatin to connect electronics rather than using the circuit board
Plan B
Just in case if the effect is not very ideal in the wearable device we are also thinking about using similar ways of creating the material but put our project in another scenario
Growing Stars
I am always thinking about growing stars. Because of environmental pollution, it is more and more difficult for people to see the stars with their eyes. In the future, stars will be more invisible to normal people and then they decide to grow the crystals with the material they have.
We are thinking about creating a garden for the “stars” and presenting different speculation of the stars (different shapes) We feel that using crystal is the most feasible idea now