Nature Inspired Design

• By Sonali on 05 November 2009

Just listened to the first podcast by 37 signals and was struck by a comment that Jason Fried made about seeking inspiration from nature for Design.  What a refreshing idea - and simple too, but based on sound logic -
1. What we see in nature is true perfection achieved over millions of iterations.  It truly is the best design and functionality that exists; ruthlessly perfected by Darwinian concepts.  So why re-invent the um.. leaf?  Lets copy Mother Nature at her finest.
2. We are genetically coded to respond to and appreciate natural color palettes.  Fall is in all of its glory outside my window - that color scheme is something I naturally respond to. 

Coincidentally, I was thinking about the very same concept on a visit to the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC.   Some of the birds have irrediscent color pallets.  Sometimes a simple design feature like  a ring around the neck has a complex rainbow of colors. Check out the following images from the Smithsonian site to be inspired -

Birds at the Smithsonian National Zoo

Blue Grey Tanager	Lilac Breasted Roller	Superb Starling

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