Q1.
PRACTICAL CHALLENGE DTI
“INSPIRED
BY NATURE” – Designing a Sustainable Product Using Biomimicry
Nature
has developed remarkable solutions to problems such as temperature control,
water conservation, protection, movement, strength, energy efficiency and waste
reduction. Organisms and natural systems have evolved to solve these challenges
efficiently using minimum resources.
For
example, the lotus leaf has a water-repellent surface, termite mounds maintain
temperature through natural ventilation, honeycombs provide strength using
minimal material, and shark skin has a surface structure that reduces
resistance in water.
As
Design Thinkers, your task is to observe a problem in everyday life, study how
nature solves a similar problem, and develop an innovative and sustainable
product inspired by a natural model or process.
Design
Challenge
How
might we use biomimicry to design a sustainable product or solution that solves
an everyday human problem while learning from nature?
You
must follow the complete Design Thinking process and use simulated data to
understand the problem before developing your biomimicry-based solution.
PPT
SUBMISSION – EXACTLY 9 SLIDES
SLIDE
1 – PROJECT INTRODUCTION
Include:
- Project Title
- Class & Section
- Roll Numbers
- Name of Proposed Solution
- Natural Model/Organism Selected
- One-line description of your idea
Example:
Solution
Name:
Natural
Inspiration:
Description:
Example:
“CoolNest” – A naturally ventilated study shelter inspired by termite mounds.
SLIDE
2 – UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM
Identify
a real-life problem that can potentially be solved by learning from nature.
Consider
problems related to:
- Excessive heat
- Water wastage
- Energy consumption
- Waste management
- Lack of shade
- Noise reduction
- Sustainable construction
- Protection and safety
Answer:
What
problem are you trying to solve and why is it important?
Explain:
- Who experiences this problem?
- Where does it occur?
- Why does the problem need to be
addressed?
- What makes the existing solution less
effective or sustainable?
Your
explanation should clearly establish the Need for Design.
SLIDE
3 – EMPATHISE: USER PERSONA + SIMULATED DATA
A.
Create a User Persona
Create
a persona representing a person who experiences the identified problem.
Include:
- Name
- Age/Class
- Occupation/Role
- Daily habits
- Needs
- Feelings
- Difficulties
- Expectations
- Pain Points
Example:
Persona:
Aarav, 16-year-old student
Problem:
His classroom becomes uncomfortable during hot afternoons.
Pain
Point: Excessive heat and dependence on air conditioning.
B.
Simulated Data Collection
Create
a small simulated survey dataset representing at least 10 users.
Your
dataset should explore the problem you have selected.
You
may use categories such as:
|
Problem/Factor |
Number of Users |
|
Users
experiencing excessive heat |
___ |
|
Users concerned about high electricity
consumption |
___ |
|
Users
experiencing poor ventilation |
___ |
|
Users using artificial cooling regularly |
___ |
|
Users
concerned about environmental impact |
___ |
|
Users willing to use a nature-inspired
solution |
___ |
You
may create your own suitable categories according to your selected problem.
Important
The
data may be simulated/fictional for the purpose of this practical and must be
clearly labelled:
“SIMULATED
DATA – FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES ONLY”
C.
Create a Graph
Convert
your data into at least ONE appropriate graph/chart.
You
may use:
- Bar Graph
- Column Chart
- Pie Chart
Data
Interpretation
Below
the graph, write 2–3 observations.
For
example:
- Most users reported discomfort due to
excessive heat.
- A significant number of users were
concerned about high energy consumption.
- Most users showed interest in a
sustainable alternative.
Your
observations must be based on your own simulated dataset.
SLIDE
4 – DEFINE THE PROBLEM
Use
your:
Persona
+ Simulated Data + Graph Observations
to
identify the most significant problem.
Problem
Statement
Complete:
Our users need a way to
__________________________ because __________________________.
How
Might We...?
Frame
your design question:
How
might we use inspiration from nature to ______________________________ while
making the solution sustainable and efficient?
What
Does the Data Tell Us?
Write
2–3 important insights from your graph.
Identify:
Most
Significant Problem:
Explain
why this problem should be addressed first.
SLIDE
5 – IDEATE: GENERATE BIOMIMICRY SOLUTIONS
Brainstorm
at least 4–5 possible solutions to the identified problem.
Use:
- Mind Map
- Brainstorming Diagram
- Sketches
- Nature Inspiration Map
- Combination of different ideas
Explore
Nature
Identify
at least 3 organisms/natural systems that demonstrate useful strategies related
to your problem.
For
each, mention:
|
Natural
Model |
Natural
Strategy |
Possible
Human Application |
|
Lotus
Leaf |
Water-repellent
surface |
___ |
|
Termite
Mound |
Natural
ventilation |
___ |
|
Honeycomb |
Lightweight
strength |
___ |
You
may select your own examples.
Shortlist
Your Top 2–3 Ideas
Briefly
explain why each shortlisted idea could solve the identified problem.
Clearly
mention:
Natural
Principle → Design Idea
SLIDE
6 – SELECT & DEVELOP THE BEST IDEA
Select
ONE final biomimicry-based solution.
Explain:
1.
What is your solution?
2.
Which organism/natural system inspired your design?
3.
What natural feature, behaviour or process are you copying?
4.
How does the natural principle solve the problem?
5.
Who will use your solution?
6.
What materials/technology will be used?
Examples:
- Sustainable materials
- Sensors
- IoT
- AI
- Solar energy
- Recycled materials
- Smart monitoring
- 3D printing
- Natural ventilation
- Water-saving technology
7.
What makes it innovative?
Clearly
identify:
UNIQUE
/ INNOVATIVE FEATURE
Your
solution should demonstrate a clear connection:
DATA
INSIGHT → PROBLEM → NATURAL MODEL → BIOMIMICRY PRINCIPLE → SOLUTION
SLIDE
7 – PROTOTYPE
Create
a simple prototype/mock-up of your biomimicry solution.
Your
prototype may be:
- Product Sketch
- 3D Model
- Sustainable Packaging
- Smart Product
- Eco-Friendly Structure
- Smart Device
- Architectural Model
- Website/App Interface
- Sensor-Based System
- Product Design
- Physical Model
SLIDE
8 – TEST, FEEDBACK & IMPROVEMENT
Test
your prototype using simulated/fake feedback data.
Imagine
that at least 10 users tested your prototype.
Record:
What
did they like?
What
was confusing or difficult?
What
suggestion did they give?
What
improvement did you make?
You
may present the feedback using a small table or chart.
Show
your development as:
BEFORE
→ FEEDBACK → AFTER
Example:
Before:
Product required too much material.
↓
Feedback:
Users found it heavy.
↓
After:
Redesigned using a lightweight honeycomb-inspired structure.
SLIDE
9 – FINAL SOLUTION & IMPACT
Present
your final biomimicry solution.
Summarise
your complete Design Thinking journey:
Problem
→ User → Data Insight → Natural Inspiration → Biomimicry Principle → Solution →
Prototype → Impact
Answer:
- How will your solution solve the
identified problem?
- Which natural system inspired your
design?
- What did you learn from nature?
- How does your design imitate or adapt
the natural principle?
- How is your solution sustainable?
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