Jessica and Jesse will dissect their attempts to mash-up biology, architecture, computer science and fashion. From futuristic dresses generated from body scans and made entirely by robots to algorithmic studies of mutant plants and coral. This talk will take your through some of the projects they have created over the last 9 years at their design studio, Nervous System, while examining the possibilities and challenges of digital fabrication and raising questions about the future of design, fashion and manufacturing.

Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jess Louis-Rosenberg founded Nervous System in 2007. Nervous System has pioneered the application of new technologies in design, including generative systems, 3D printing, and webGL. Nervous System releases online design applications that enable customers to co-create products in an effort to make design more accessible. These tools allow for endless design variation and customisation. Nervous System’s designs have been featured in a wide range of publications, including WIRED, the New York Times, the Guardian, Metropolis, and Forbes. Jesse and Jessica have given talks on their generative design process in many forums, including MIT, Harvard, SIGGRAPH, and the Eyeo Festival. Their work is a part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

Jessica Rosenkrantz graduated from MIT in 2005 and holds degrees in architecture and biology. Afterwards, she studied architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Jesse Louis-Rosenberg also attended MIT, majoring in mathematics. He previously worked as a consultant for Gehry Technologies in building modeling and design automation

Presented with support from “Design Innovation from Nature”, a new interdisciplinary research initiative that is part of the Interdisciplinary Faculty Program and the Institute of International Studies (IIS).