I am currently a junior in Industrial Design at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), with a concentration in Nature, Culture, and Sustainability Studies (NCSS). My work centers on biodesign with a focus on creating innovative products and experiences that align with natural processes and sustainable practices.

I explore how technology, design, and sustainability can intersect to develop products and spaces that are both functional and ecologically mindful. My passion lies in working with biomimicry, emerging materials like mycelium and PHAs, and new technologies to create designs that are not only purposeful but also environmentally integrated. These interests push me toward projects that reflect a deeper connection to the environment, while being adaptable, degradable, or reusable over time.

The NCSS concentration brings together students from across RISD’s departments to explore environmental humanities, sustainability, and new material possibilities. Through this lens, I engage with topics like hybridity, climate-conscious design, and circular systems, using these frameworks to inform both product and spatial design.

By combining my interests in biodesign, material innovation, and environmental studies, I aim to create meaningful products and installations that demonstrate how design can harmonize with natural systems. My goal is to develop work that pushes the boundaries of sustainable design, offering solutions that are not only functional and beautiful but also contribute to a more responsible relationship with the environment.

Feel free to reach out to chat more at slakhani@risd.edu!