Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a design discipline that studies nature`s best ideas and then imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems. Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an example of this innovation inspired by nature. The core idea is that nature, imaginative by necessity, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with.
Based on nature`s 3.8 billion years of R&D history designers and engineers are developing new products, new materials, new manufacturing systems, enhancing systems flow, and creating effective distribution models... just to name a few. Companies adopting the Biomimicry Guild`s design methodology include: Boeing, City of Seattle, Ecotrust, General Mills, Georgia Tech, Hewlett-Packard, HOK Architects, Nike, Proctor & Gamble, Shell, Seventh Generation and many more.
On this page we have gathered links to online Biomimicry resources, a few examples of companies using nature-inspired design to create sustainable products, and a video of Biomimicry author Janine Benyus.
In 2007-2008 E4S hosted seven Cleveland+ Biomimicry Design
Collaborative meetings that engaged a cross-sectorial group in the
advancement of the understanding and practice of Biomimicry design
principles. In 2009 E4S has advanced our commitment to put biomimicry
to work at every design table. Victoria Avi, E4S Network Entrepreneur, will
launch a Biomimicry Network to help designers, engineers, biologists
and researchers connect, learn, do biomimicry. She has engaged a core
group of cross-sectorial leaders who will work together to seed
biomimicry design principles throughout the region. One exciting
possibility they are exploring is creating a Biomimicry Institute. Click here to find out more about the Biomimicry Network or call Victoria @ 216.451.7755.
Speaking to the largest E4S audience ever – over 420 business leaders, change agents, and students – Janine Benyus, co-founder of the Biomimicry Guild amazed and inspired Cleveland with her revolutionary design principle: Biomimicry, innovations inspired by nature. While highlighting local case studies from regional Biomimicry practitioners, Janine showed how nature’s wisdom, power and sophistication can help us solve the most challenging design problems in our businesses and societies. Janine was introduced at this event by good friend Jim Hartzfeld, Managing Director of InterfaceRAISE. This incredible presentation is not to be missed, download the free podcast. Listen to the podcast of this event! - Please note: To download podcasts right-click on the
podcast link and select "Save Target As..." or "Save Link As..."
(depending on what browser you use).
E4S and the Cleveland+ Biomimicry Design Collaborative increased the awareness of the power of biomimetic design. Regional biomimicry practitioners shared their design case stories. Presentations included showerhead design from a designer at Moen , Melissa Knotthe Tate, PhD Associate Professor CASE Western Reserve University
and a local consultant. Listen to the podcast of this event! - Please note: To download podcasts right-click on the
podcast link and select "Save Target As..." or "Save Link As..."
(depending on what browser you use).
Professionals and leaders in architecture, engineering, research and
development, business strategy and industrial design explored the Future of Design: Biomimicry with leaders from the
Biomimicry Guild, including Dayna Baumeister, co-founder of the Biomimicry Guild and Taryn Mean, biologist at the design table.
The participants immersed in a proven method of design innovation and learned the
practice and tools for putting biomimicry to work in their organization.
Get started in designing more sustainably. Join E4S and a panel of
regional and national sustainable design experts Catherine Bragdon, Susan Lyons and Doug Paige at
the Cleveland Institute of Art for an engaging E4S National Knowledge
Network Speaker Event on the Future of Design: Integrating
Sustainability. Listen to the podcast of this event! - Please note: To download podcasts right-click on the
podcast link and select "Save Target As..." or "Save Link As..."
(depending on what browser you use).
Suggested Resource Links
Biomimicry Guild - www.biomimicryguild.com
The on-line resource for Biomimicry developed by the Biomimicry Institute
Ask Nature - www.asknature.org The online inspiration source for the biomimicry community
Biomimicry Institute- www.biomimicryinstitute.org
The Biomimicry Insitute is a non profit established by Janine Benyus,
author of "Biomimicry-design inspired by nature", and Dayna Baumeister,
co-founder of the Biomimicry Guild. The Biomimicry Insitute supports
the education of the next generation of potential Biomimics.
Suggested Articles
Janine Benyus, author of the biomimicry design philosophy, inspires Cleveland designers:Click here to read a Plain Dealer Article on Janine`s visit to Cleveland in September 2007
Unraveling a Spider`s Secret Miracle Fiber:Click here to read an April 2009 article in the Plain Dealer
Biomimetics: Design by Nature:Click here to read a 2008 article in the National Geographic magazine
Biomimicry: Nature-Inspired Designs:Click here to read an October 2008 article in the Fast Company
The Blossoming of Biomimicry:Click here to read a September 2008 article on Joel Makower`s Blog
Can You Make a Green Product in a Gray Company?: Click here to read a September 2008 article on Green Biz Website
The Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car as a Concept Vehicle:Click here to read an overview of the car design on Daimler`s Website
Mother Nature, Design Guru:Click here to read a Wall Street Journal article
Biomimicry Meets Cutting Edge Architecture: Click here to read a recent 2007 article in The Architects Newspaper
Learn how companies have used principles of Biomimicry to design sustainable products:
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Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a design discipline that studies nature`s best ideas and then imitates or takes inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems. Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an example of this innovation inspired by nature. The core idea is that nature, imaginative by necessity, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with.
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