Problem-Driven and Solution-Based Design: Twin Processes of Biologically Inspired Design

Biologically inspired design uses biological systems as analogues to develop solutions for design problems. We conducted a cognitive study of biologically inspired design in the context of an interdisciplinary introductory course on biologically inspired design in Fall of 2006. The goal of this study was to understand the processes of biologically inspired design. This paper provides a descriptive account of twin biologically inspired design processes, problem-driven and solution-based, and highlights the similarities and differences between them