Biomimetic Design, ITP Fall 2013, taught by Gabriella Levine
Tuesdays 3:30 – 6:00, September 3 – October 22
Website: http://www.levinegabriella.com/exploringbiomimicry/itp/
Email : Gabriella.levine@gmail.com
Office hours : Tuesday 6 – 8 pm and/or Friday 3 – 6 pm
Class 1, September 3:
1. Introduction: expectations, logistics, communication, tools, topics
2. Lecture : Properties of Biomimicry : New Materials, Overview (sensors, robots, architecture), Scale, Impact, Examples
3. Design Excersize : organic motion mimicking a joint system, using only analog materials
4. Debrief & Assignment
Assignment:
1. PROJECT 1 : Design organic motion, mimicking a particular joint or system of an animal or other organism.
2. Reading & feedback
3. Document 2 biomimetic project examples : 1 that you love, 1 that you hate
Class 2, September 10:
1. Lecture:
a. Intro to biological systems: feedback loops, systems, organic motion, and sensing
b. Kinetic Biomimetic Devices
c. Biomimetic Sensing and Feedback systems
d. Biomimicry in Interface Design
2. Homework Demo & Feedback
3. Discussion : on the readings & Janine Benyus’ definition of Nature & Biomimicry
4. Debrief & Assignment
Assignment:
1. Project #2: Design a sensor system mimicking a living organism’s sensing behavior. This must take informational, positional, or environmental input and react in some way.
2. Bring in a cool sensor or actuator you are interested in using or experimenting with.
Class 3, September 17:
1. Lecture
a. Artificial Intelligence
b. Cybernetics
c. Cyborgs
d. Living Design / Bioart
2. Homework : Demo & Feedback
3. Launch final assignment
Assignment
Project #3: From the perspective of a non-human user, design a product or system that improves methods of communication or information exchange with others of their own species, other species, or humans. Your device should incorporate a physical and electrical component. It should have a sensory input, a visual or auditory output, and a negative feedback mechanism.
1. Begin the research for your final assignment.
2. What is the system you are mimicking?
3. Who is your user? What is the point of view statement?
4. Prepare a concept diagram with wireframes &/or 2-3D renders. Document the entire system and interactions that take place.
5. Prepare a systems diagram, including technical specs, parts needed, and entire systems layout.
6. Order any parts / equipment
Class 4: September 24
1. Lecture
a. Agent-based systems & representing biological systems in software
b. Energy Regeneration & sustainability
2. Demo & Feedback : Systems diagrams and conceptual idea
3. Ideation exercise
Assignment:
Begin your prototypes & prepare your 3 minute midway presentation. You can follow the presentation template if you like. Be prepared to demo next class for user testing.
Class 5. October 1
1. Demo prototypes
2. Midway project presentations
2. Feedback
Class 6. October 8
1. Demo work
2. Documentation
3. User testing
Class 7. October 22
FINAL CLASS PRESTENTATION & EXHIBITION
