Learning goals
- Distinguish different bio-inspired approaches (biomimicry-bionica-nature inspired design-natural capitalism-biophilia, CtoC)
- Understand the philosophical and historical roots of the concept of bio-inspiration and biomimicry (deep ecology-permaculture-but illustrious predecessors: Leonardo da Vinci , Buckminster fuller, Viktor Schauberger, Jay Harman, Bill Mollison, land-institute)
- Relate and classify different bio-inspired approaches (mal-adapted vs well adapted and utilization-assistance-mimicry)
- Select different elements from different approaches (depending on the context or level) as a step toward application.
- Apply biological knowledge in a design context / Is able to determine the scope of a desired innovation or change and to specify the function(-s) that needs to be ‘biologized’ of a product, process or
- Experience the intricacies of combining disciplinary insights
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The subjects being addressed
This is a course that introduces the field of Bio-Inspiration. We start to elucidate the philosophical and historical roots of the concept of bio-inspiration. We will touch upon movements like: deep ecology and permaculture and illustrious predecessors such as, Leonardo da Vinci , Buckminster fuller, Viktor Schauberger, Jay Harman and Bill Mollison.
Then we will give an overview of the main bio-inspired approaches, being: biomimicry, bionics, nature inspired design, natural capitalism, biophilia, Circular Economy and CtoC. And you will learn to see similarities and differences because you will learn how to relate and classify different bio-inspired approaches.
Finally we will address Design as a discipline and process through which you can start to formulate and explore possibilities for innovation be it a product, process or systems innovation.
You learn how to define the function you want to ‘biologize’, to describe the scope and hoped for outcome in such a way that a biologist can deliver the information you need to gather as an important co-creative step in an innovation process.
The added value for the participants
For students with a chemical biological or bio-medical background it gives a first introduction into a whole new and promising field that combines economic values and methods (innovation) with nature based approaches.
For entrepreneurs, programme & project managers, policymakers, trade and industry professionals: the course will help you to understand the main concepts within bio-inspiration to allow you initiate and direct bio-inspired innovation-trajectories.
Summary of course content (max 75 words)
This course introduces a new field in science and design: Bio-Inspiration you will learn to look at nature as source of knowledge that will help to make our products, processes and systems part of nature, compatible with and supporting a transition to a circular economy instead of designing for the ‘dump’. After an overview of different Biologically Inspired approaches you will learn to define the scope and function of an innovation and write a first design-brief.
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