Chris Bellis
Design for
Biodiverse Ecosystems, Sustainable Food Systems, Sustainable Resource Provisioning
Year
2020-2021
Location
Edinburgh
From Reading, UK. Chris previously studied visual communication at Arts University Bournemouth, before graduating in 2016. He now aims to work on sustainable food systems and ecological resilience.
Design can contribute to addressing the critical problems faced by humans and non-human species beyond neo-liberal, capitalistic, consumerist notions of design that are most utilised to sell unsustainable products or services. In my nascent practice, I research how local, sustainable, raw materials can support nature-based designs that address resource problems by acting as ecological and biodiversity enhancers in themselves, whilst simultaneously facilitating the sustainable provision of resources from that system. Specifically, I explore how analysis of behavioural patterns can influence solutions, such that perceived essential outputs transform in response to geographic and temporally variable sociocultural, political and economic contexts.
Insight
What is your favourite part of the D4C programme?
Having access to novel courses that we may otherwise not be exposed to. Coming from a creative arts background, it is especially valuable studying social sciences courses with renowned tutors.
One book or reading recommendation?
‘Making and Growing: Anthropological Studies of Organisms and Artefacts’ edited By Elizabeth Hallam and Tim Ingold.
What area of design are you most interested in?
Environmental and ecological design.
What do you think is the role of design for change?
Sorting out the sociopolitical, economic and environmental mess that we’re in.
Where are you working/ where do you see yourself working?
In sustainable food systems.
