Profile: Sofia Collins Redrado – Only Natural Design Competitions

Sofia Collins Redrado

University of Leeds

Art and Design

I am a graduating student in Art and Design looking for job opportunities to expand and apply my knowledge in the design field. My research explores current issues surrounding our environment and how one can design with nature rather than against it. Working with the mediums of fabrication and material experimentation, my practice centralises itself in sustainability and Biodesign. I am drawn to circular design approaches within my work by implementing the use of waste and raw materials and how to use biology and other scientific practices at the forefront of my designs.

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Science Kitchen

Category: Interior

Competitions: Home

This project combines Science and Art, creating both innovative and aesthetic products. The aim is to reflect how design can give new meaning to discarded materials such as fruit and vegetable skins. Using different techniques, I have been able to make biomaterials from food waste and integrate it with other reclaimed materials such as wood and metal. The specific images I have selected are made out of red onion skin and red cabbage dye biomaterial which I inserted between wood. The shape of the lampshades are inspired by natural forms such as beehives and cocoons. The advancement of technology and multidisciplinary practices has led this project to go in a sci-fi direction. As well as the nature-inspired forms, it could be argued that the lampshades have also taken inspiration from futuristic and geometric shapes. Seeking inspiration from nature has encouraged me to consider my responsibility as a designer in a time of climate change. This project aims to spread awareness on how to efficiently use materials to their highest potential. Experimenting with both scientific and artistic methodologies strengthened the bond between both disciplines and highlighted how the both can benefit from each other.