Abstract: This manuscript presents the first set of insights from the reflection on a case study which involved early-stage design-biology interactions in a collaboration between two PhD candidates - a designer and a biochemist - investigating the potential of the Webbing Clothes Moth enzymes to support novel approaches for the deconstruction of wool in the context of bio-based processing for the circular economy. From the interview and reflective practice on the collaboration a novel concept emerged, common sedimented ways of knowing, which we define as shared approaches that have been acquired independently through previous experiences during the lifetime of an individual. This concept enabled proximity between the two collaborators, here taking the form of visualisations to support the dialogue on complex discipline-specific content and its delivery to a public audience.This paper demonstrates that a translational dimension can emerge in early stage design-biology collaborations despite the infancy of the PhD candidates research.