One of the most important roles of lipid molecules in biological system is to form biomembranes as the molecular stages for systematic bio-processes; materials transformation, energy conversion and signal transduction. Recent advances in biological sciences guided us to a challenging research field so-called synthesizing life. In this review article, research topics in this field were mentioned focusing to the following viewpoints; how to design artificial cell membranes and how to introduce functions into the membranes. The guidepost for molecular design of lipids to form artificial cell membranes and the strategies for their static and dynamic morphological control were proposed. Lipid membranes were derived to nanomaterials through hybridization of lipid molecules with biological or artificial functional molecular units. The artificial cell membranes have potential as functional nanodevices for biomedical application, molecular communication, etc.