Bio-inspired design and the broader field of design-by-analogy have been the basis of numerous innovative designs throughout history; yet there remains much to be understood about these practices of design, their underlying cognitive mechanisms, and preferred ways in which to teach and support them. In this paper, we work to unify the broader design-by-analogy research literature with that of the bio-inspired design field, reviewing the current knowledge of designer cognition, the seminal supporting tools and methods for bio-inspired design, and postulating the future of bio-inspired design research from the larger design-by-analogy perspective. We examine seminal methods for supporting bio-inspired design, highlighting the areas well aligned with current findings in design-by-analogy cognition work and noting important areas for future research identified by the investigators responsible for these seminal tools and methods. Supplemental to the visions of these experts in bio-inspired design, we suggest additional projections for the future of the field, posing intriguing research questions to further unify the field of bio-inspired design with its broader resident field of design-by-analogy.
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Engineering Product Development Pillar,
e-mail: Katherine.fu@gmail.com
Engineering Product Development Pillar,
e-mail: kristinwood@sutd.edu.sg
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November 2014
Research-Article
Bio-Inspired Design: An Overview Investigating Open Questions From the Broader Field of Design-by-Analogy
Katherine Fu,
Engineering Product Development Pillar,
e-mail: Katherine.fu@gmail.com
Katherine Fu
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
,Cambridge, MA 02139
Singapore University of Technology and Design
,Engineering Product Development Pillar,
International Design Centre
,138682
Singapore
e-mail: Katherine.fu@gmail.com
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Diana Moreno,
Diana Moreno
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
,Cambridge, MA 02139
Engineering Product Development Pillar,
International Design Centre,
e-mail: dmoreno@mit.edu
International Design Centre,
Singapore University of Technology and Design
,138682
Singapore
e-mail: dmoreno@mit.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Kristin L. Wood
Engineering Product Development Pillar,
e-mail: kristinwood@sutd.edu.sg
Kristin L. Wood
Singapore University of Technology and Design
,Engineering Product Development Pillar,
International Design Centre
,138682
, Singapore
e-mail: kristinwood@sutd.edu.sg
Search for other works by this author on:
Katherine Fu
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
,Cambridge, MA 02139
Singapore University of Technology and Design
,Engineering Product Development Pillar,
International Design Centre
,138682
Singapore
e-mail: Katherine.fu@gmail.com
Diana Moreno
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
,Cambridge, MA 02139
Engineering Product Development Pillar,
International Design Centre,
e-mail: dmoreno@mit.edu
International Design Centre,
Singapore University of Technology and Design
,138682
Singapore
e-mail: dmoreno@mit.edu
Maria Yang
Kristin L. Wood
Singapore University of Technology and Design
,Engineering Product Development Pillar,
International Design Centre
,138682
, Singapore
e-mail: kristinwood@sutd.edu.sg
Contributed by the Design Theory and Methodology Committee of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN. Manuscript received June 29, 2014; final manuscript received August 12, 2014; published online October 8, 2014. Assoc. Editor: Shapour Azarm.
J. Mech. Des. Nov 2014, 136(11): 111102 (18 pages)
Published Online: October 8, 2014
Article history
Received:
June 29, 2014
Revision Received:
August 12, 2014
Citation
Fu, K., Moreno, D., Yang, M., and Wood, K. L. (October 8, 2014). "Bio-Inspired Design: An Overview Investigating Open Questions From the Broader Field of Design-by-Analogy." ASME. J. Mech. Des. November 2014; 136(11): 111102. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4028289
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