Title: Functions in nature

Authors: Hany M. El-Said, Samy Abd EL Fatah, Salwa Abd Allah El Gareb

Addresses: Industrial Design Department, Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Sarwat Street, Orman, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. ' Industrial Design Department, Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Sarwat Street, Orman, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. ' Industrial Design Department, Faculty of Applied Arts, Helwan University, Sarwat Street, Orman, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

Abstract: This article explores and elaborates on how functions in nature help designers to conceive and understand new concepts and principles that may be developed later into metaphors. Where creatures in biology represent the products in design; even in biology, biologists use design terms based on human history, artefacts, nature and theories about how the human mind works to solve a problem or react to one. The problem the paper deals with is how to free a designer|s mind from the barriers that slow down the process of creativity. But to do that, we need to understand the process of adapting the various elements of design, which represented in every creature. To fit each other primarily, then to surroundings seeking the ideal performance of function, using all available techniques and survive.

Keywords: nature; artefacts; function; design process; metaphors; creativity; biology; product design; product development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2009.027472

International Journal of Product Development, 2009 Vol.9 No.4, pp.389 - 395

Published online: 26 Jul 2009 *

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