What can designers learn from biologists? (part 1)
In order to view the videos online at Big Picture TV, you need to install the Macromedia Flash Player 8 (or later) and have Javascript enabled in your browser.
About the video: ‘What can designers learn from biologists? (part 1)’
Janine Benyus talks about her current efforts to bring more biologists to the design table. She believes there is a vast wealth of knowledge in fields such as biology, zoology and bio-chemistry that goes largely untapped by designers and engineers around the world. She explains how she is working to facilitate a greater flow of ideas between these disciplines and illustrates the effectiveness of such efforts with examples.
Total views: 1,911
Filmed: San Francisco, USA on 16 October 2005
Credits: Interviewer - Marcus Morrell Camera and Editor - Marcus Morrell
Copyright © 2005 Big Picture TV
About Janine Benyus
Janine Benyus is co-founder of the Biomimicry Guild, where she works as a biologist helping designers and engineers learn from nature’s design solutions.
She is also President of the Biomimicry Institute, a non-profit organization whose mission is to naturalize biomimicry in the culture by promoting the transfer of ideas, designs, and strategies from biology to sustainable human systems design.
She is the author of several books, including ‘Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature.’
She is also a public speaker and has given lectures to a number of large organizations and corporations including Nike, Novell, Proctor & Gamble, Patagonia and Interface Carpets.
In 2006 she received the Women of Discovery Award.
Other videos with Janine Benyus
Janine Benyus
What is biomimicry?
Janine Benyus describes how biomimicry works, pointing to its origins in early human history. She explains how and why western industrial nations are only now rediscovering the…
Recorded: 16 October 2005
Janine Benyus
What can designers learn from the natural world? (part 1)
Janine Benyus gives examples of how designers have used biomimicry to create more environmentally benign products. The German paint manufacturer, Sto, studied the surface of a Lotus…
Recorded: 16 October 2005
Janine Benyus
What can designers learn from the natural world? (part 2)
Janine Benyus looks at how biomimicry has enabled engineers to develop innovative, resource-efficient materials. In stark contrast to the typical “heat, beat and treat”…
Recorded: 16 October 2005
Janine Benyus
What can designers learn from the natural world? (part 3)
Janine Benyus gives more examples of innovations that have been inspired by nature. Pax Scientific, a US technology company, has developed…
Recorded: 16 October 2005
Janine Benyus
What can industry learn from nature?
Janine Benyus talks about how mature ecosystems like rainforests have inspired a number of industrial eco-parks. These are co-locations of companies that distribute waste and raw…
Recorded: 16 October 2005
Janine Benyus
what can designers learn from biologists? (part 2)
In this second part of a two-part series, Janine Benyus discusses the pressing need to educate engineers, designers and even biologists in the field of functional biology. Nature…
Recorded: 16 October 2005
Related videos
Vijay Vaitheeswaran
What is the role for governments in creating a sustainable energy supply?
In the final part of this three-part series, Mr Vaitheeswaran recognizes the important role the government can play in creating incentives for the market. He cautions politicians…
Recorded: 9 June 2004
Amory Lovins
What is ‘Natural Capitalism’?
Dr. Lovins talks about the reaction around the world to his seminal book ‘Natural Capitalism’, which he co-wrote with L. Hunter Lovins and Paul Hawken. Since it was…
Recorded: 17 October 2004
Lester Brown
Can we restructure the economy to make it more sustainable? (part 2)
In this second clip, Lester Brown suggests what can be done if world leaders are to get serious about climate change. The first step would be to phase out old-fashioned incandescent…
Recorded: 1 December 2004
Mike Eckhart
What is the potential for renewable energy?
Mike Eckhart takes a candid look at the likely development of renewable energy going forward. He talks about the work that still needs to be done by organizations such as his, as…
Recorded: 13 April 2005
Christopher Flavin
is ‘clean coal’ a good idea?
Chris Flavin acknowledges the need to clean up the global coal industry but does not see the process as being a full solution to climate change. Coal burning power stations should…
Recorded: 15 November 2005
Bill Joy
What are the risks and potentials of genetic science and nanotechnology?
Bill Joy discusses the ethical implications of developments in the fields of genetics, nanotechnology and robotics. The potential for creating harmful pathogens is a particular…
Recorded: 10 September 2006
