How to explore the possibilities in life and nature?
Yiyuan Bai, as an Innovative Biomaterial Designer and Researcher, specializing in sustainable design and bio-design. She holds a Master's degree in Textiles from the Royal College of Art (RCA) in London, where she developed her expertise in creating sustainable materials from natural sources such as herbal medicines, beans, seaweed, and other biodegradable ingredients. Her innovative approach to design combines art with functionality, often exploring themes of environmental sustainability, wellness, and the intersection of nature and technology.
Her educational background also includes a Bachelor's degree in Drama, Film, and Television Art Design with a focus on Costume Design from Sichuan Film and Television University in China. Her unique blend of artistic and scientific inquiry has garnered her numerous accolades, including the Supreme Gold Award at the Global HUA Design Award and a Silver Award at the 2024 Netherlands ARC Design, the 6th Japan Concept Art Design Awards in 2024; the 6th Hong Kong New Contemporary Design Award; the 6th EPACC Environmental Protection Art Creation Contest, USA; the 4th CADA Japan Concept Art Design Competition etc. Besides, she has been shortlisted for the Hyundai Awards for Excellence in Sustainability & Creative Practice, UK and the nominee for the Green Concept Award, Germany. In these few years, she has exhibited her work internationally, including at the London Design Festival, Shenzhen Design Week, Tongqi Museum and various other venues across Europe and Asia.
In addition to her artistic practice, Yiyuan Bai is also an Educator and Researcher. She currently teaches at institutions such as ACG International Art Education and a contributor to SSG Research. In late 2023 until June, 2025 as a Research Assistant in the Sound Studies Group at SUSTech School of Design, she is participating in several research projects that combine materialities with digital media and creative technologies in an interdisciplinary setting. In late 2024, she worked as a Visiting Researcher at the Material Science Research Centre of the Royal College of Art, primarily responsible for the production of bacterial cellulose. Her work not only pushes the boundaries of material innovation but also serves as a call to action for sustainable practices in art and design. Bai continues to explore the potential of natural materials, aiming to create works that inspire empathy for the environment and promote holistic wellness.
Instagram: @irena_abai
Yiyuan BAI
创始人｜深圳市伊芫新材料设计有限公司
Yiyuan BAI 毕业于英国皇家艺术学院，获面料设计方向硕士学位。作为深圳市伊芫新材料设计有限公司的初创者，她致力于在设计领域探索自然与科技的交叉点，主要专注于利用中草药及其他自然材料开发可降解的生物材料。
凭借扎实的材料设计创新能力与CMF（色彩、材料与表面处理）专业知识，Yiyuan 不仅制作出具有生态责任感的生物材料，还深入研究天然染色在草药等有机材料中的反应与应用。她的实践旨在为可持续设计提供新的可能性，让材料回归自然循环。
近几年，她多次参与跨学科合作项目。曾任职于英国皇家艺术学院材料科学研究中心，负责细菌纤维素的实验、曾在英国皇家艺术学院担任客座演讲者、曾任职于深圳南方科技大学创新创意学院担任科研助理与项目统筹者，负责项目"一粟 "。
她的作品在诸多美术馆、博物馆和设计节上展出。曾参展于伦敦设计节、伦敦Parallax艺术博览会、荷兰MaterialDistrict Utrecht创新可持续材料展、深圳设计周、上海最佳新秀艺术节、作品被湖南同祺中医药博物馆收藏并展出。她的毕设作品SOLE获得多次出版：在德国出版于Green Trend Book 2024的新材料类别、在美国出版于LO'AMMI和Goddessarts杂志。
她的作品获得全球华设计至尊金奖、荷兰ARC设计银奖、第六届CADA日本概念艺术设计大赛银奖、美国第六届国际环保公益设计大赛等, 同时作品入围2025Dezeen Award设志大奖、英国Hyundai-Kia创新实验室的可持续发展卓越 & 创作实践奖和在德国绿色概念设计奖中被提名。
