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Fungal Fusion 🍄
 Embracing Biomimicry in Visual Design

︎︎︎Overview


This portfolio of experiments investigates the possibilities of integrating biomimicry into the field of visual design. With a focus on fungi, these experiments explore alternative methods for creating typefaces and grid layouts.

︎ Experiments

1. Mycelium Cultivation Typography

︎︎︎Experiment Log 1A
︎︎︎Experiment Log 1B
︎︎︎Extended Methodology

    ︎︎︎Alphabet Archive (1A)

    ︎︎︎Alphabet Archive (1B)


2. Mushroom Kit Grid System

︎︎︎Experiment Log 2A
︎︎︎Extended Methodology


3. Mycelium Formation Radial Layout

︎︎︎Experiment Log 3A
︎︎︎Experiment Log 3B
︎︎︎Extended Methodology

Fungal Fusion 🍄


 Embracing Biomimicry in Visual Design

︎︎︎Overview


Biomimicry has been successfully incorporated in various areas of design including fashion and textiles, architecture, and product design. However, it has barely been explored in visual design.

This portfolio of experiments investigates the possibilities of integrating biomimicry into visual design. With a focus on fungi, these experiments explore alternative methods for creating typefaces and grid layouts. 

︎ What is Biomimicry?

︎ Context

︎ Experiments


What is Biomimicry?

Biomimicry is innovation inspired by nature. 

It is an approach that learns from nature and how it functions as inspiration for design processes and systems (Benyus, 1997).

Nature has gone through evolution and natural selection to develop solutions for problems that designers, engineers, and architects have spent years working on. Successful uses of biomimicry have already been seen in fashion and textiles design, architecture, and product design. One example of this is Velcro. From clothing, footwear, camping equipment and even playing a vital role in the moon landing, Velcro has transformed the world.

In 1941, Swiss engineer George De Mestral was walking his dog when his clothes and his dog's fur got covered in burdock burrs. When he looked at these tiny burrs under a microscope, he found hundreds of tiny "hooks" that could attach to fabrics and hair. Upon discovering this, De Mestral recognised its potential and was inspired to replicate its structure for use as a fastening mechanism. After constant experimentation  with various fabrics, he eventually produced this product we now know as Velcro fastening.

Read more about Velcro here.

Benyus, J. M. (1997). Biomimicry: innovation inspired by nature. Quill.

BIOMIMETIC DESIGN PROCESS 


    1. Select
      Select from nature what animals, plants, or organisms you will emulate.

    2. Observe, research and analyse.
      Be one with nature. Watch and connect with the natural world and witness it living. Ask questions. What would nature do? How would it utilise form within function? Research, analyse and observe to gain an understanding on its functions and processes.

    3. Define
      Identify and define the area you are exploring. What discipline of visual design are you focussing on? If you have identified a design problem, what knowledge from biomimicry can you use to solve this?

    4. Implement
      Implement the functions of the organism you have chosen and researched about into the visual exploration and process of your design.

    5. Iterate
      Experiment and refine through the creative process.

    6. Evaluate
      Evaluate and assess if the function or processes from the chosen organism was successful or not in the designed outcome. Reflect on the process and outcomes and suggest new findings and questions.