FAQ

Normal Phenomena of Life is a radical concept store for biophilic living. This new biodesign-native brand will be the first of its kind to offer biotech-enabled products in limited edition collections.

Normal Phenomena of Life exists to put biology at the heart of the goods we make, the supply chains we build and the economies we choose to scale. To supplant those industries grown on the promise of limitless petrochemical-powered growth and to honour nature as the original technology.

It does this by bringing a range of biotech-enabled products to market that have the potential to transform outdated industries and reject the idea that technological progress can’t prioritise soft cells over hard steel.

The inaugural collection of NPOL Originals represents only the first flush of fruits from new biotechnologies and interdisciplinary collaborations, born out of knowledge and process sharing between designers, biologists, engineers, materials scientists and other practitioners whose disciplines have yet to be named.

Alongside these exclusive products, NPOL supports other direct-to-consumer biotechnology brands and culturally adjacent creators by making their products available in capsule collections and exploring their groundbreaking stories in its journal—a space to dive deep into the emergent world of biodesign and to reconnect the NPOL community with new thinking and philosophies on the living world.

After jointly creating projects like the Ginkgo Creative Residency (now in its 6th year) and the 2020 online video series Ferment TV, Natsai Audrey Chieza (Faber Futures) and Christina Agapakis (Ginkgo Bioworks) had their goals set on expanding the public reach of these initiatives and the ideas that emerged out of them. Establishing Normal Phenomena of Life as a direct-to-consumer brand, therefore, puts biotechnology out into the real world and catalyses its transformative possibilities.

About Faber Futures

Faber Futures is an award-winning, London-based agency operating at the intersection of nature, design, technology and society. Its multidisciplinary practice engages industry, institutions and multi-sector brands with ecologically-driven models for holistic innovation. Establishing alternative materials and production models is contingent on systemic and often complex change. Through deep collaboration with project partners and clients, Faber Futures bridges the technical with the societal and ecological realm, creating fully integrated pathways for regenerative and equitable futures.

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Ginkgo Bioworks is an American biotech company that specialises in the programming of cells for partners that make everything from food to materials to therapeutics.

At Normal Phenomena of Life, we process orders once a week on Wednesdays. This means that all orders placed on or before Tuesday of each week will be included in the batch for processing on the following Wednesday. Orders placed after Tuesday will be processed the following week. 

Festive season: 

All orders made after the 12th of December 2023 will be shipped on the 10th of January 2024.

Once your order is processed, delivery times will vary depending on your selected shipping method and your location. We offer several shipping options, including standard and expedited shipping.

For your convenience, we provide order tracking information as soon as it becomes available. You will receive an email notification with a tracking number once your order has been processed and shipped. You can use this tracking number to monitor the status of your delivery.

Delivery fees vary based on your chosen shipping method, the destination of your order, and the total weight of the items in your cart. The delivery fee will be displayed during the checkout process before you confirm your order.

Please ensure that you provide accurate and complete delivery information when placing your order. We are not responsible for any delays or delivery issues resulting from incorrect or incomplete delivery addresses. If you need to make changes to your delivery address, please contact us within 48 hours of placing your order.

If you need to cancel your order, please notify us at least 24 hours before the scheduled processing day (Tuesday). Orders cannot be canceled after they have been processed. For more information on canceling an order, please refer to our Cancellation Policy.

We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If you are not satisfied with your order, you may be eligible for a return and/or refund under the following conditions:

• Defective or Damaged Products: If you receive a defective or damaged product, please contact us within 14 days of receiving your order. We will arrange for a return or replacement, and we will cover the return shipping costs.
• Incorrect Item Received: If you receive an item different from what you ordered, please contact us within 14 days of receiving your order. We will arrange for the correct item to be sent to you or provide a refund, and we will cover the return shipping costs.
• Unsatisfactory Product: If you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason other than the above two cases, you may request a return within 14 days. Please note that in such cases, return shipping costs will be the responsibility of the customer.

To be eligible for a return, the following conditions must be met:

• The item must be in its original condition, unused, and in the original packaging.
• You must have a valid proof of purchase, such as the order number, invoice, or receipt.

The return request must be made within 14 days of the receipt of your order. 

To initiate a return, please follow these steps:

• Contact us via support@normalphenomena.life with the subject Return Request to begin the returns procedure.
• Provide your order number and details about the item you wish to return, including the reason for the return.

Our team will guide you through the return process, including providing you with the return shipping address if applicable.

Once we receive and inspect the returned item(s) and confirm that it meets the conditions mentioned above, we will process your refund. Refunds will be issued via the original payment method used for the purchase. Please allow 5 working days for the refund to be processed and reflected in your account.

Please note that certain products are non-refundable unless they are defective or damaged upon receipt. Non-refundable items will be highlighted on the product’s page.