Assignment 5.1 B2D Design Project

Biomimicry Spiral - Steps:
- Discover
- Abstract
- Brainstorm
- Emulate
- Evaluate
Image credit: Biomimicry Institute
CHALLENGE #1:
Building trust with client’s can be difficult, how can designer’s connect or align to show empathy for their clients effectively?
DISCOVER
Shearing Forces Increase Molecular Alignment (https://asknature.org/strategy/shearing-forces-increase-molecular-alignment/)
The silk‑spinning organ of silkworms enhances crystallization and coagulation of the liquid silk product via shearing forces that help align the molecules.
ABSTRACT
Aligning on a sustainable design strategy → Aligning molecules
Modify Process → Modifying Material Characteristics
BRAINSTORM
Key Stakeholders / Identify who needs to perform this challenge: Designer + Client
Developing a framework to enhance / create effective change
Consistency / "silk spinning organ"
Could help document or track progress
Bring awareness to designer's on how clear that need to be / communication
Layout a visual representation of. existing vs. future
EMULATE
A visual representation of the current state of trust and empathy towards the client vs. how alignment and minor modifications can help improve those concerns. Identifying those concerns would required a feedback loop to learn and understand the relationship. These improve can create a more balanced and trustworthy approach, to eventually integrate sustainability.

EVALUATE
- Locally attuned and responsive
- Resilient
- Integrates cyclic processes
CHALLENGE #2:
How to determine the right amount of over-development needed when exploring design concepts?
DISCOVER
Optimizing Nest Spacing Aids Survival (Eave swallow) (https://asknature.org/strategy/optimizing-nest-spacing-aids-survival/)
In the evolution of colonial nesting, there are spatial restrictions which narrowly specialized behavioral characteristics impose on a species. The specialization restricts nesting gulls and alcids to small islands so limits the number of usable breeding sites that procreation of the species depends on maximum utilization of the available space.
ABSTRACT
Resource Restrictions → Spatial Restrictions
Limitations → Maximum Utilization
BRAINSTORM
Key Stakeholders / Identify who needs to perform this challenge: Designer
Developing a framework to enhance / create effective change
Using previous projects as a "guideline"
Remove "general" guidelines or expectations - ex. 1 concept needed, 3 presented
Identify resources needed / pros and cons
EMULATE
A mind map showing how over-development ratios can be approach based on previous projects's + resources. Using nature's principles and functions of limitations / maximum utilization.

EVALUATE
- Resilient
- Integrates cyclic processes
- Optimizing rather than maximizing
CHALLENGE #3:
How to develop a practical way to collect / organize information to implement for future design projects?
DISCOVER
Colonies of social insects self‑organize and carry out complex group tasks through many simple individual interactions.
(https://asknature.org/strategy/colonies-self-organize/)
To understand the power of self-organization, consider how ants find the shortest distance to a food source simply by laying and following chemical trails. Self-organization enables a swarm of social insects to carry out complex tasks through the collective duties of individuals within the colony without being centrally controlled.
ABSTRACT
Organize → Self-Organize
Individual / Specific Resources → Collective
BRAINSTORM
Key Stakeholders / Identify who needs to perform this challenge: Designer + Creative Team
Using tags to search / resources tools to save information in
Consistent organization
Help from others / team or other creatives that need the same resources
Creating a misc. folder to later organize
EMULATE
Developing a methods that feels organic and easy to approach. Taking steps vs. doing it all at once. A visual representation of how steps could be made.

EVALUATE
- Locally attuned and responsive
- Resilient
- Integrates cyclic processes
- Optimizing rather than maximizing
Thanks!