Abstract
Form giving/styling for nature-inspired designs is a creative problem-solving activity that involves a rigorous visual analysis of natural forms. In this paper, we attempt to understand the ‘designerly’ way of thinking for products that draw inspiration from nature. For our study, we examine the works of Owen Jones, Christopher Dresser, Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo, Luigi Colani and Ross Lovegrove, who are internationally known for their biomorphic style of design. The study follows a qualitative research methodology of grounded theory to closely examine the research material drawn from published articles, interviews, and audio-visual material for analysis. Inferences and insights are drawn to suggest methods that may assist novice designers to reinvent their design methods and approaches.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Cross, N.: Designerly Ways of Knowing. Verlag London Limited, Springer (2006)
Lutchmansingh, L.D.: Evolutionary affinity in Arthur Mackmurdo’s botanical design. Design Issues 6(2), 51–57 (1990)
Sala, N.: Complex and fractal components in industrial design. Int. J. Des. Nat. Ecodyn. 1(2), 161–173 (2006)
Chen, C.H., Sung, P.Y.: The investigation of organic design style—take design elements of Ross Lovegrove as an example. In: International Association of Societies of Design Research (IASDR 2013), Tokyo, Japan (2013)
Wong, J.F.: The text of free-form architecture: qualitative study of the discourse of four architects. Des. Stud. 31(3), 237–267 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2009.11.002
Burgess, S.C., King, A.M.: The application of animal forms in automotive styling. Des. J. 7(3), 41–52 (2004). https://doi.org/10.2752/146069204789338389
Irwin, T., Baxter, S.: The dynamical view of natural form. Design Nat. IV: Comparing Des. Nat. Sci. Eng. 114, 129–138 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2495/DN080141
Strauss, A., Corbin, J.: Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA (1998)
Charmaz, K.: Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide Through Qualitative Analysis. SAGE Publications Inc., Thousand Oaks (2006)
Lincoln, Y.S., Denzin, N.K.: Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA (2000)
Kellett, R.: Le Corbusier’s design for the carpenter center: a documentary analysis of design media in architecture. Des. Stud. 11(3), 164–179 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1016/0142-694X(90)90004-V
Suwa, M., Tversky, B.: What do architects and students perceive in their design sketches? A protocol analysis. Des. Stud. 18(4), 385–403 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-694X(97)00008-2
Lloyd, P., Snelders, D.: What was Philippe Starck thinking of? Des. Stud. 24(3), 237–253 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-694X(02)00054-6
Blaich, R.I.: Philips corporate industrial design: a personal account. Des. Issues 5(2), 1–8 (1989)
Lemons, G., Carberry, A., Swan, C., Rogers, C., Jarvin, L.: The benefits of model building in teaching engineering design. Des. Stud. 31(3), 288–309 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2010.02.001
Lovegrove, R.: Organic design inspired by nature. In: TED Conferences (2005). https://www.ted.com/talks/ross_lovegrove_shares_organic_designs
Colani Trading AG: https://www.colani.ch
Phaidon: Ross Lovegrove on His Approach to Design. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebEnzMrAug
Dresser, C.: The Art of Decorative Design. Day and Son, Lithographers to the queen, London (1862)
Jones, O.: The Grammar of Ornament. Day and Son Limited, Lithographers to the queen, London (1856)
The Design Museum. Luigi Colani. https://designmuseum.org/designers/luigi-colani
Designer Ross Lovegrove at His Studio in London, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6epm8fkUwzw
Dresser, C.: Studies in Design. Cassell, Petter and Calpin, London (1876)
Morris, R.: The Fundamentals of Product Design. AVA Publishing, Switzerland (2009)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Verma, S.K., Punekar, R.M. (2021). Decoding Nature-Inspired Form Generation Processes. In: Chakrabarti, A., Poovaiah, R., Bokil, P., Kant, V. (eds) Design for Tomorrow—Volume 3. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, vol 223. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0084-5_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0084-5_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-16-0083-8
Online ISBN: 978-981-16-0084-5
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)