Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Introducing nature analogies at the framing stage of design projects
Zahedi, Mithra; Guité, Manon
Type:
Year:
2013
Editor:
John Lawlor, Ger Reilly, Robert Simpson, Michael Ring, Ahmed Kovacevic, Mark McGrath, William Ion, David Tormey, Erik Bohemia, Chris McMahon, Brian Parkinson
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Institution:
University of Montreal, Canada
Section:
Reflection
Page(s):
772-777
ISBN:
978-1-904670-42-1
Abstract:
This paper reports on the effects of introducing biologically-inspired approaches at the framing stage of design projects. Biologically-inspired approaches involve application of analogies with biological systems to develop design solutions. In design education, this offers particular added benefits in terms of potential to encourage collaboration among teams of students, exposing them to interdisciplinary approaches, bringing their attention to functionality, sustainability, and user experience, and fostering development of holistic views of projects. Literature on biologically-inspired design, collaboration, and reflective practice were used to prepare students for a project-based design activity: Sixteen teams of four students were each asked to work on possible services to offer at Montrealâs next cultural Nuit blanche (Sleepless night). The teams were asked to start framing by reflecting collaboratively on the context and criteria of the project. Each team created a mind map to tackle a design problem and define elements for further development. Biologically-inspired approaches were then introduced, and the teams were asked to re-examine and reframe their design problems. Each team created a new mind map and developed new design solutions based on biologically-inspired approaches. Findings of the workshop support both the application of biologically-inspired approaches at the framing stage of design projects and the use of mind maps as creative collaborative design tools.
Keywords:
