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Guilty Flavours

Eleonora Ortolani

I am a multidisciplinary designer with a strong focus on material experimentation. My work is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary thinking and the endless possibilities of design.

Born and raised in Italy, I developed an early interest in design, and went on to study visual communication at a prestigious university in Milan. After graduation, I worked for several years as a visual designer, honing her skills and developing a strong understanding of visual communication.For this reason, I bring a keen eye for aesthetics to all of my projects.

However, my curiosity and passion for the interconnection between science and design led me to explore new areas of design, and I began experimenting with materials and techniques that were inspired by scientific principles. One of my main areas of interest is the future of food, which I see as a powerful reflection of society as a whole. I am fascinated by the intersection of food, science, and design, and I am constantly exploring new ways to bring these elements together in my work.

I am a multidisciplinary designer with a strong focus on material experimentation. My work is a t...

Harnessing microbiology to re-engineer plastic waste for human consumption.

Our ever-increasing mountain of plastic waste is an insurmountable problem. Plastic production is not decreasing and the current system of recycling is failing to keep up. Guilty Flavours is a radical proposal for how humans can harness our own bodies as machines to eliminate plastic forever – by eating it. 

New biochemical processes like digestion enzymes and bio-engineered bacteria can allow humans to safely consume plastic, transforming it into fully edible molecules. 

This first sample of vanilla ice cream is flavoured by the bio-technological vanillin harnessed with this process, and it challenges our readiness to adopt transformative innovations and participate in a circular ecosystem.

My work aims to challenge and expand the future of human cuisine and disrupt habitual patterns of thinking, emphasizing that true progress lies not only in the outcomes but also in our mindset.

Final work

photography by Mael Henaff

photography by Mael Henaff

Expert and Collaborators

Dr Joanna Sadler, Research Scientist, University of Edinburgh

Professor Hamid Ghoddusi, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, London Metropolitan University

Steve Pearce, Innovator and Creator of Flavours and Ingredients for Food & Beverages, Omega Ingredients

Douglas McMaster, Chef and Owner of the zero-waste restaurant Silo, London

Paula Corsini, Scientist Specialist, Central Saint Martins UAL

Research and process

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Guilty Flavours

Harnessing microbiology to re-engineer plastic waste for human consumption. Our ever-increasing mountain of plastic waste is an insurmountable problem. Plastic production ...

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