Designers have invented an edible water bottle that uses algae and a process borrowed from the molecular gastronomy industry. The holy grail of the bottled water industry - this prototype titled The Ooho has been created by Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez, Pierre Paslier and Guillaume Couche. It works by holding water inside a transparent membrane that can be made in different sizes.

The technique itself is not new and was infact first developed by scientists in 1946 but was popularised again when El Bulli chef Ferran Adria used it for his unique recipes. Called spherification its a method of shaping liquids into spheres.

The flexible skin around the water is edible and made up of a combination of calcium chloride and brown algae and according to the designers is resistant, hygienic and biodegradable.

DNA testing and genetic modification are not new, but what is interesting is that a series of designers are looking to explore the ethics of this in a rash of projects coupled with advancements in DNA sequencing. Researchers have recently developed a technique that uses genetic analysis to create a computer composite of what the person looks like. In an article in the New Scientist,  the team captured images of 600 volunteers across ethnic backgrounds to build up a link between genes affects on facial structure based on sex and race. New Scientist had one of their writers volunteer their DNA with very accurate results. Commenting on issues surrounding privacy and ownership of DNA Artist Gabriel Barcia-Colombo has created a DNA vending machine that dispenses human genetic material. The DNA Vending Machine replaces snacks with samples of peoples genetic code which can then be bought.

http://vimeo.com/72085813#at=0

Also driven by a social comment on a patent granted in 2013 that would allow a gene perfecting system for future parents to control the characteristics of their children, Ben Landau showed his First Gift Blanket during Dutch Design week last year.

A modern take on the heirloom blanket to be passed from generation to generation the blanket has interwoven into it familial DNA sequencing putting into question the value of our personal data. Alongside the blanket he also asked visitors to donate their DNA for sequence testing.

Pushing the boundaries of experience with smell and taste shows no sign of abating. The latest project to explore this subject is Molecule-R, who specialise in molecular gastronomy. Their product Aromafork is designed to elevate and enhance the eating experience via smell and taste combined. Based on the fact that most of what we taste is actually triggered by our sense of smell, the fork uses blotting paper that the user can infuse with a chosen scent to include bubble gum and wasabi. The fork adds the experience of taste through the added scent.

Citing it as a 'culinary revolution' the fork is ready to pre order now.

Continuing the theme around future synthetic cosmetics and beauty care, Lucy Mcrae has released her latest film in collaboration with Nowness exploring her swallowable parfum concept. Similarly to Amy Congdon the relationship between synthetic biology and cosmetics is a growing area of exploration for designers and scientist. As Lucy describes in her accompanying interview , “We are living in an era of no rules; technology is corrupting nature’s ballot, forcing us to redefine our bodies’ limitations and boundaries,” Lucy believes that in the not too distant future we will be eating our cosmetics to enhance our skin luminosity, colour and scent.  

Speculative designer Amy Congdon considers a future where biotechnology will give designers a new set of materials and tools to work with. Believing that future materials will be grown from cells she suggests a range of jewellery that is grown from our bones, skin and cartilage. Envisioning a future 2082 her ‘Bio Nouveau’ collection replaces cosmetic surgery with tissue engineered disposable biological atelier pieces. In order to care for these semi living body adornments she has created a fictional range of body care products that include Graft Moisturiser & tone, SynSkin treatment and Graft Aftercare and Bioskin glue.

Personalised service subscription box experiences have been making waves for a while with consumers looking for unique and personal with the likes 'not another bill'  and Bluum, but the latest in the bespoke offerings comes out of a necessity rather than a desire which will make it a huge success. pillpack is a full service pharmacy that ships prescribed medications to customers doors in personalised individual packs that are organised by date and time. Keeping everything simple and personal the box pack uses simple infographics indicating medication type and helps the users navigate their way through what can be a complicated cocktail of drugs.

We love the work of Studio Fludd and their alchemic approach to design so were delighted by their latest project 'Poor Tools' exploring up-cycling, materiality and a touch of humour. Invited by the art collective How We Dwell ,they spent a week in November on an almost deserted island in front of Venice, Italy.

Whilst there they worked with the materials to be found on the island and the small kit of tools left for them. Collecting natural and artificial findings on the island (including rubbish) they created a series of objects that tell a narrative about the wildly chaotic environment that is the island with wild goats wandering around contrasted witt the new offices and hotel being built there.

They created a wunderkammer housing their engaging and delightful objects and tools which tell a story in their own right.

There have been a few projects exploring the rituals of beauty and exploring the narratives of alchemy and process and here is the latest from materials alchemist Sarah Linda Forrer. A recent graduate from Design Academy Eindhoven, Sarah explores materials, experience and 'atmospheres'. As part of her graduation project she has designed a series of mystical skin care tools that are inspired by the ancient Egyptians belief that beauty was a sign of holiness.

Fascinated by the idea that cosmetics could be used beyond aesthetic purposes, but to include magical and ritualistic experiences, Sarah has explored exciting materiality and design outcomes.

Her collection of skin care tools are almost future soft fossils exploring texture and tactility. She has for example mixed patterned hard wood from the Alpine river with bubbles of rubber as a cleansing tool and Alabaster stone as a spoon to mix oils and powders.

Known for changing the face of 3D printing when they unveiled their virtual potter/ 3D printed ceramic project at Milan Design week in 2010, Studio Unfold's latest project continues that journey with a series of 3D printed ceramic tools that dilute and diffuse perfume. Researching how ceramics both store and release perfume each 'tool' has been designed to explore the alchemy of scent and material as well as focusing on the importance of experiencing the delights of scent.

Designed in collaboration with Barnabé Fillion who is behind the perfume brand The Peddler their pipette, flask and funnel 'tools' offer new ways of experiencing scent.

Exploring materiality, experience and surprise, Embedded Drinks by Marti Guixe makes users re think their relationship to alcohol. Looking to redefine how we experience and savour the moment with alcohol, Guixe has looked to Catalonian tradition where bread was soaked in alcohol and sugar to be given to children. Taking the idea of infusing foodstuff with alcohol he has created a series of 'snacks' that are either Red Wine, Vodka, Gin or Whisky which in his eyes he thinks makes one savour the alcohol more.

With a trend in soaps returning to the humble bar away from the more recently favoured liquid pump, Baxter of California take the experience one step further with their three part collection of Vitamin Cleansing Soaps that feature an updated formula. Including ingredients like aloe and seaweed they have also added vitamins A and E  and a colourful and tactile stripe that is made from a hydrating glycerin. Not only beautiful to look at they tantalise with their aroma as they are available in enticing scents and flavours of bergamont and pear, Italian lime and pomegranate as well as flora and cassis.  

Shown as part of the Dutch Invertuals exhibition at Dutch Design week which explored how contemporary designers could update craft, these beautiful ceramics by Kirstie Van Noort are made by building up coloured layers that are then CNC milled to reveal the imperfect beauty of hand craft.

Considering trends and shifts in our relationship with our health and wellbeing Nina van Bart's 'The Alchemist' short film cites the bathroom as a laboratory where one can take control over beauty and wellbeing. Mixing materials and chemicals, substances react to create new super sensory experiences. Playing with materials from growing crystals to drifting mist, van Bart's film suggests a future whereby we can mix our own personalised perfect elixir. http://vimeo.com/68999678

Continuing his quest for quiet relaxation in our busy urban environments, Harm Rensink's latest project shown during Dutch Design Week in an old church explores bathing in warm earth that covers the user. Taking inspiration from the Japanese thermal sand baths the firmness and the warmth of the sand stimulates the senses and enlightens the mind and in the words of Harm 'Leads you into a new reality'.

In keeping with the trend for New Porn that has been emerging almost as a counter reaction to the ubiquity of bad porn on the internet, we are seeing a rise in new magazines seeking a new perspective. The latest to emerge is from Future-Filter's very own creative partner Ed Vince in the form of TALC Magazine. TALC offers a new fresh concept and perspective on erotica shown as part of a celebration of general visual stimulation to include architecture, design and furniture, it is also key to Ed that it is an "antidote to lads’ mags".

Recently launched on Kickstarter to promote and distribute the magazine bi annually it will be a fresh and compelling addition to publishing.

Exploring materials, form and process, Maxim Velčovský's snow vases are on show at Mint as part of their Cabinets of Curiosity exhibition - one of the not to be missed locations during London Design Festival. Describing the technique as "lost-snow casting" and created over three winters from 2010-2012 using different snow from different locations, each vase is made from moulding snow into which plaster was then poured.

As the plaster hardened and gave off heat, its warmth melted the snow resulting in unique shapes and textures.

Being experimental, thoughtful and creative is key to challenging the restraints that mass manufacturing holds and stops young up and coming designers from achieving their goal, but not for David Steiner who for his graduation project from the RCA used adapted humble house hold appliances to help him create his own factory to mould, form and create a series of objects. Driven by a desire for self sufficiency and as a comment on desktop digital manufacture he has created crockery using an embroidery hoop and a noticeboard frame t that was put in his washing machine instead of a rotation mould device.

He also used his blender as a pottery wheel to create a cup made from sugar paste as well as using his microwave to steam form some wood.

http://vimeo.com/68536748

Materiologist James Shaw explores varying processes and materials upcycling through his projects Making Guns. 'Making Guns; Plastic Extruding Gun' takes a cumbersome manufacturing process and turns it into a hand held process. Using recycled HDPE (a type of polymer) he has created a series of alchemic forms that celebrate the properties of the material.

Also part of the same series, Shaw has created a gun that sprays recycled paper fiber and a binder that mix in the air. Mixing colour as well to his formula he has re defined the notions of papier mâché creating ombre effects when sprayed onto wire frame structures that create solid forms.

Part of their Hyde Park collection, “Living material” is a project from Benwu Studio made up of designers Hongchao Wang and Peng You. Based between London and New york they explore materiality. Their latest project explores ways to reuse found natural materials with the aim to enhance natures beauty by mixing materials to create unexpected and beautiful outcomes. Juxtaposing materials such as branches and twigs with more industrial materials their outcomes suggests new applications for natural materials as well as pushing the boundaries of materiology.