Fifteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

Let’s embark on the next frontier of sustainability. How? By uncovering the design secrets of the natural world and applying nature’s genius to the way we think, behave, and create. Living in the era of a climate crisis, biomimicry allows us to release our notions of truth, utilize science to push the boundaries of conventional thinking and embrace deeper creative sources. It invites us to leverage 3.8 billion years of research and design from the most sustainable system on the planet – nature. In this workshop presentation, we will explore the world through the lens of biomimicry by playing with Design Fiction. Design fiction is the development of believable ideas that may not (yet) be possible but that provokes a conversation of what could (should) be possible. Heading outdoors, we will do activities that will spark a shift in our perspective. Biomimicry is learning from the local experts, the elders of the land, to create new forms, processes, and systems that are more efficient, sustainable, and beautiful. It is a rapidly burgeoning field that is inspiring incredible technologies and systems, like self-healing concrete, circular economies, improved impellers and fans based on Fibonacci spirals, or facades that can breathe like skin. In this workshop, we will look to nature to spark each participant’s deeper creativity and learn to design with nature.