Flavobacteria are marine organisms that produce vivid, angle-dependent colour as their cells organise into structures that interact with light. These optical structures, resulting in structural colour, are influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. In this graduation project, the aim was to integrate living Flavobacteria into a flexible, sustainable material, creating labels that communicate environmental signals through changes in the structural colour of the embedded Flavobacteria. Understanding how to maintain Flavobacteria and their structural colour, outside the laboratory can be the steppingstone to make the entry of these microorganisms into the world of design.

The initial phase of the project focused on understanding the requirements for Flavobacteria to make structural colour outside the controlled laboratory environment. This understanding was crucial to design in a way that accommodates the unique characteristics of these microorganisms. Temperature was selected as the primary environmental stimulus to address, given its significant impact on the size and colour of the Flavobacteria colony. Additionally, temperature changes can be transferred through materials and therefore enable a sealed label without the necessity of openings to let environmental stimuli through.

The second phase involved an iterative experimentation process, which aimed to identify a suitable top material of the label that would facilitate the formation of structural colour by Flavobacteria. Additionally, efforts were directed towards finding an appropriate growth medium for Flavobacteria within the living label and devising an activation method that would initiate their growth exclusively during the product’s use phase. The outcomes of this iterative process were then integrated into a vision for the living label.

The project continues by presenting a future vision for the living label and proposing additional guidelines for designing with Flavobacteria. This vision draws upon literature research as well as the findings and insights gained through this graduation project. Further research is recommended regarding the characterization of the temperature influence on Flavobacteria, improving the surface texture of the medium used in the living label

To conclude, by combining existing knowledge with the project’s outcomes, a first proof of concept for a living label is proposed, paving the way for future exploration and application of these living microorganisms in innovative design contexts.