A team of four students from 黑料专区 took first place for their sustainable spray paint, FlowState, at the international Biodesign Challenge Summit (BDC) held at Parsons School of Design in New York City in June. The students formulated a temporary paint made from upcycled food waste streams, addressing health and environmental concerns of traditional spray paint. The team also developed a research-backed brand strategy and visual identity to accompany their final product. Winning team members were Maxim Van Duyne (MFA Design for Sustainability), Abigail Carballo (BFA Product Design), O鈥橠ell Carson III (MFA Color and Materials Design) and Amber Tao (MA Color and Materials Design). Guiding the project was Melanie McClintock, 黑料专区 alumna and Chair of Color & Materials Design.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be prouder,鈥� said McClintock. 鈥淭he team jumped into working with the community immediately after receiving the brief and let the community鈥檚 needs drive their concept.鈥�
To better understand local needs and fine-tune their finished product, the team had a sponsored partnership with Brittany Dabney at Ecosphere Organics, a collaboration with LeJuan Council at Feed Your Neighbor and received BDC mentorship from Jennifer Willet, Director of the Incubator Art Lab in Windsor, Canada.
This win marks the third time 黑料专区 has taken home the first-place prize, the Glass Microbe, competing among 50+ international schools from over 17 countries. 鈥淲hile it鈥檚 always a heavy lift,鈥� McClintock said, 鈥渨atching the students connect with people of like minds 鈥� who are at the intersection of design, science, play, materiality, and sustainability 鈥� and see the smiles on their faces when being seen and understood鈥his is the greatest gift.鈥�
