BioInspired! So What? Now What!

After a year's absence, the BioInspired! newsletter has re-surfaced.  This issue includes a perspective on the BID Community, interviews with Brett Joseph and Shoshanah Jacobs, an article on the essential elements of biomimicry and an overview of the BioM Innovation Database.

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Thanks to everyone who contributed to the newsletter!

The Biomimicry Specialist Certification Program offered by the Biomimicry 3.8 (B3.8) organization provides a holistic experience of the three essential elements of biomimicry: ethos, (re)connect and emulate.  The case studies used for illustration typically aligned primarily with emulation of nature, without elaborating on ethos and (re)connect characteristics.  Sometimes ethos and (re)connect had clearly never been considered in the project or product.  We prepared a survey to get a better feel for what the broader audience of biomimics thought and to encourage discussion.  Did our colleague practitioners see ethos and (re)connect as core to biomimicry, essential to its practice or … not so much?

It has been a busy and successful launch of the Biomimicry Fellowships in the Integrated Bioscience Program at the University of Akron.  Two major events kicked off the program, immersing the first cohort of Biomimicry Fellows (Emily Kennedy, Daphne Fecheyr-Lippens, and Bill Hsiung) in a flurry of activity just three weeks after their arrival on campus: a visit by Janine Benyus and the launch of a significant strategic initiative for biomimicry in Ohio. 

Time passed quickly during the intensive Biomimicry Education Training Workshop developed by Biomimicry 3.8 and led Megan Schuknecht and Sam Stier.  Sixteen attendees from many geographical and professional horizons had the opportunity to share our deep passion for biomimicry and teaching through a wide range of hands-on activities.  The program was “designed for high school, college or university, and informal science teachers or lecturers who are interested in learning the fundamentals of biomimicry and integrating biomimicry teaching into new or existing courses, programs, displays, or exhibits.” 

Imagine hunting like a wolf pack at work instead of taking orders and handouts from your boss like a lap dog. What if you were responsible for your own profits every month, pocketing 20% of them on top of your salary? What if you could choose your managers, your workspace, your equipment, materials, customers, colleagues and hours?

One radical Dorset company, Matt Black Systems, has done precisely that by scrapping traditional leadership and hierarchies. The family firm was failing: in terms of the Boston matrix, it was transitioning from the ‘cash cow’ to ‘dog’ phase, burning through capital to survive. As a result of a radical transformation of the business, productivity increased by 300% and profit margins by 10% while pay increased by 100%. Customer perception went from poor to outstanding with product returns at less than 1% and “on time/in full” delivery exceeding 96%.

The University of Akron (UA), Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA), and The Biomimicry Institute (TBI) are launching the first and only PhD training in biomimicry available in the world.  Our vision is to bring together designers, entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers and artists to be trained in the emerging discipline of biomimicry.  By integrating across disciplines and engaging business, academic and public sector partners throughout the training, we will create innovation leaders that not only understand the technical details of biomimicry but who also have the experience and skills to bring about real change in how products and services are designed and manufactured across all sectors of the economy.

Igor Barteczko joined the BID Community in November and agreed to be interviewed in early December.  His portfolio at ARCHITEORYZM demonstrates his creativity and graphic sense.  Igor is a natural biomimic who also understands the importance of human culture and engineering.  Ultimately, we need viable solutions to human problems that help re-connect us with the natural systems that support our existence.