BioInspired! So What? Now What!

Africa is rich with natural organisms and ecosystems that hold inspiring innovative solutions to many of our challenges – applicable to our context – real “home grown” solutions and a diverse source of innovation. As Africa seeks to grow and develop at a time when resources are scarce, climate is changing and populations are growing, it will be wise and strategic to follow the lessons and strategies of ecosystems that have already evolved to grow abundantly, creating opportunities rather than waste and with100% employment rate. These ecosystems host species that have a far greater biomass than humans and yet manage resources wisely. It would be strategic to invest in biomimicry research and development, and to integrate biomimicry into relevant education and training across Africa. biomimicry South Africa has been seeding this potential with the aim to grow meaningful innovation in Africa empowered by nature’s genius.

Objectives of workshop

•  To introduce participants to the extraordinarily powerful and practical innovation tool of biomimicry.
• To explore some relevant biomimicry case studies in depth

To learn the key steps of the biomimicry methodology, and apply these to creativity and to solving challenges.

To realise the vast potential for innovation that lies within the diversity of life itself and learn some key innovation tips based on nature’s 3.8 billion years of R&D

Key outcomes of workshop (why should people attend)

• Understand the relevance and value of biomimicry to any field
• Be able to apply the biomimicry methodology to creativity in general and in particular for solving design challenges (inventive problem solving)

Discover some of the deep innovation principles from nature and how these can be used for finding innovative solutions to design challenges

Be inspired and empowered by the genius of nature

Discover a new way of viewing and valuing nature

Who should attend?
Innovators, entrepreneurs, businesses, designers, architects, biologists, ecologists, naturalists, sustainability professionals, information systems, technologists, researchers, students, educators – basically anyone interested in learning from and emulating nature’s genius in solving human challenges and creating innovative, sustainable designs (of any kind)

Will learning material be provided to delegates?

• Full colour workbooks will be provided