About Jessica Thies
— Meet the Designer
My research is focused on reducing our reliance on petrochemicals through the development of seaweed-based materials.
I am a designer and material researcher specializing in biomaterials and regenerative systems for the built environment. With a background in industrial and textile design, my work explores alternatives to petrochemical-based materials. My practice bridges scientific inquiry, sustainable innovation, and trend-forward material development to challenge conventional manufacturing models and enable circular, transparent systems.
Alongside my materials research, I am deeply interested in color design and trend forecasting for the fashion and footwear industry, exploring how color storytelling and emerging material technologies can shape future collections.
I hold an MFA in Industrial Design from Parsons School of Design, a Postgraduate Certificate in Material Futures from Central Saint Martins, and a BS in Textile Design from Jefferson University. I have taught Textile & Soft Materials at Parsons and have presented my work at Munich Creative Business Week and the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center. My award-winning projects have been recognized by Dezeen, Première Vision, WGSN, and NYCxDESIGN, among others.
Teaching:
Part-Time Faculty at Parsons School of Design:
Studio Lab: Textiles/Soft Materials, B.F.A. Interior Design
Bio-Based Materials, School of Constructed Environments
Press:
WGSN
FRANCQ COLORS Trend Studio, Spring/Summer 2026 Trend Report
Première Vision Trend Report AW 26-27
Awards:
2023 Sustainable Vision/ Ecological Vision Award, MFA Industrial Design, Parsons School of Design
2023 NYC x DESIGN Awards, Student Winner
2022 Global Footwear Awards Student Winner, Footwear Innovation and Biodegradable Footwear
2022 NYC x DESIGN Awards, Student Winner
2022 Biodesign Challenge Science Sandbox Prize for Public Engagement, Winner
2022 Blue City Design Challenge, Finalist
Education:
M.F.A. Industrial Design, Parsons School of Design
Postgraduate Certificate in Material Futures, Central Saint Martins
Textile Arts Center, Low Immersion Residency
B.S. Textile Design, Jefferson University
Exhibitions:
Exhibitor, Surface Spotlight, Surface Design Show, London, 2026
Lead Curator, Regeneration of Flax, Arnold and Sheila Aronson Galleries, 2024
Lead Curator, Exhibitor, Unmaking, Making, Remaking, NYCxDesign, 2023
Publications:
Material, Color & Care, A BioDesign Methodology: Cambridge University Presss Gorman, M., Chaparro, Y., Gopinath, P., (2022) A Decolonized & Decarbonized Dinner Party. Parsons / The New School. NYC.
Gorman, Michele, Chaparro, Yvette, and Gopinath, Preeti. A Decolonized & Decarbonized Dinner Party, Vol. 2. New York: Parsons / The New School, 2024.
Presentations:
2024 Munich Creative Business Week, Future Alliances: Co-creating Living Materials and Objects with Parsons Healthy Materials Lab
2023 CUNY Advanced Science Research Center. Bio-Inspired Green (BIG) Science and Technology, Thesis Presentation
Photography Credits:
Martin Seck, Andrew Longo, Andrew Bray
Contact:
jessicalynnthies@gmail.com