Prompt

In this studio, we will build robots inspired by adaptations that help animals survive in their environments.  

To better prepare ourselves for this task and to help stimulate initial ideas, we will first explore different realms of design as inspiration - this is called precedent research.

In design, a precedent is an existing project/work/idea/concept that demonstrates a novel approach or solution and exposes new concepts related to the context of the studio.

Assignment

As a class, we will review a number of precedents beginning with an Overview of Biomimicry. They are found in the presentation above as well as in the Resources tab above. 

Then you will select 2 precedents that intrigue or inspire you. You will do more research into the precedents you select. 

Deliverable

For each of the two precedents you choose, create a post in your Responses tab that contains:

1. Two Pictures:
   1. One photo of the natural plant, animal, or phenomenon
   2. One photo of the technology/design solution it has inspired
2. Written responses:
   1. What is the plant, animal, or natural phenomenon that inspired the precedent you selected? Where is its natural habitat? 
   2. What features were harnessed to develop a new design solution/technology? 
   3. How was it adapted into a new technology?
   4. Why did you think this precedent was interesting?