mail [at] james-king.net
James King is a speculative designer working in the field of biological science to investigate the implications of future biotechnologies. James collaborates with scientists and works between the lab and studio to design potential applications for their research. Together they imagine what might be possible if technologies developed in the lab become adopted by people in their everyday lives. This results in objects, films and images that are exhibited in order to elicit debate on the desirable and undesirable qualities of future biotechnologies.
James’ work has been shown widely. Most notably in MoMA’s Design and The Elastic Mind exhibition in 2008 and at the Wellcome Trust in 2010 and reproduced in many publications such as Wired, SEED and The Guardian. Subsequently his project, Dressing the Meat of Tomorrow, was acquired into MoMA’s permanent collection. James has also presented his work at several scientific meetings and conferences throughout 2009 and 2010.
The most rewarding aspect of these collaborations has been the opportunity, not just to interpret scientific research, but also to contribute to it. The design process is an implicit but unrecognised aspect of the biological sciences. Through further collaborations and projects James aims to make this role more explicit.
Exhibitions
Current & Upcoming
- Wellcome Trust Windows, February-April 2010
- IMPACT, Royal College of Art, March 2010
2009
- What If… Science Gallery, Dublin
- Freeze, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei
2008
- Dedans, dehors, autour. Etats du corps, Saint Etienne International Design Biennial
- Design and the Elastic Mind, Museum of Modern Art, New York
- S1ngletown, DROOG Design, Venice Architectural Biennale
2007
- Vital Signs, Royal College of Art
- 2nd International Art and Science Exhibition, Beijing
2006
- The Futures Gallery, Think Tank, Birmingham
- Summer Show, Royal College of Art, 2006
Talks & Workshops
- Designing Synthetic Biology, The Genomics Forum, Edinburgh, 5 February 2010
- Designers in the Lab, Edinburgh University, 4 February 2010
- New Frontiers in Systems and Synthetic Biology, IChemE, Sheffield, 3 December 2009
- E.chromi, Synthetic Biology Policy Group, Royal Society, London, 24 November 2009
- Ericsson Leadership Program, London School of Economics, 22 September 2009
- Design Provocations, Creative Capital, London, 26 May 2009
- New Sciences of Protection, Institute of Advanced Studies, Lancaster, 13 March 2008
Residencies
- Visiting Fellow at the Genomics Forum, Edinburgh, February 2010
- Visiting Scholar at the Hastings Centre, New York, November 2009
Affiliations & Organisations
- Cambridge University iGEM Team 2009, Design Adviser
- Synthetic Biology Standards Network
- AlterFutures, Co-founder
- Guerilla Science, Advisory Panel
Education
- MA Interaction Design, Royal College of Art
- BA Graphic Design, Central Saint Martins
Work
- Design Interactions Research Associate, Helen Hamlyn Research Centre
- UX Designer, BBC Future Media and Technology
- Tutor, BA Graphic Design, Central Saint Martins
