Isa Jansen is a circular bio-designer who explores how aesthetics, materials and living organisms can contribute to a circular future. Inspired by the non-toxic, waste-free processes in nature, she aims to collaborate with nature rather than work against it. Jansen works with circular and living materials, repurposes waste streams and explores bio-based alternatives. At the same time, she makes an alternative way of living tangible where humans live in balance with the natural world. Through her work, she challenges conventional ideas of perfection, newness and material permanence by embracing imperfection, ageing and decay in her design process. Her designs encourage long-term use and foster a balanced relationship between people, materials and the natural world.
Her material-driven and research-oriented approach combines experimenting, sample making and prototyping to generate knowledge. Jansen takes materials as the starting point in the design process and adopts an open and curious mindset, embracing uncertainty and unexpected outcomes as opportunities for discovery. Multidisciplinary collaboration is central to her design approach, as she forms a bridge between disciplines such as science, biology, technology and design. As a community creator, she connects companies, research institutions and experts to create new sustainable value systems. Her personality is social, open-minded, and proactive, which helps foster positive and efficient collaborations.
Exhibitions
Chair of the future, Dutch Design week 2023
Merlett, Dutch Design week 2025
Merlett, IEEE RoboSoft2025
Living Traces, Metamorph 2025
Living traces, Dutch Design week 2025
Living traces, Young Talent Award - Material District 2026
Press
https://dutchdesigndaily.com/nl/stories/materialdistrict-young-talent-2/