By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 18 May 2020 20:18:29 +0000

As someone who is interested in design but not a designer I find biomimicry fascinating and inspiring, given the many problems it could help address such as climate change and pollution.
I’ve recently been reading Janine Benyus’ book on biomimicry, and the ideas and research presented are incredible. However, the book was published in 1997 and I find myself thinking, it has been 23 years and where are all the biomimicry inspired products, buildings, cars etc?

Is it that, unlike the conclusion of this article, that nature looks simple but the designs we see in nature are actually fiendishly complex and difficult to reproduce?
Is it that real biomimicry, not just making things look ‘natural’, that actually follows ‘Life’s Principles’ (closed loops, non-polluting, design that is conducive to life, etc) is complex and needs a lot more investment?
Does a fossil fuel driven economy and the polluter doesn’t pay (yet) system mean it is easier and more feasible to stick with the old-fashioned way of designing and making things?
Can biomimicry compete in the market against cheaper, polluting designs and products?
Is biomimicry taught to design students?
Do many product designers, architects, industrial engineers, material scientists follow its design principles (https://biomimicry.net/the-buzz/resources/designlens-lifes-principles/)?

Given the need and the potential for biomimicry, should it not be central to every aspect of design?

Comments on: How biomimicry is driving innovation in design

By: Matt