Name: Form: Tech group: BIOMIMETICS

Situation:

Designers and inventors have always taken inspiration from nature when creating new products. From Leonardo Da Vinci's flying machine to Speedo’s Sharkskin swimsuits. This is called Biomimetics. (as in, to mimic or copy nature).

Success criteriaPeer

assessment

Teacher assessmen

t

4b Has chosen a natural source of inspiration and designed a product linked to the source in some way.

4a The design has a clear link to the source of inspiration.

5c Has also labelled their design clearly.

5b Has also added colour of their design and filled out the evaluation.

5a Has also shown creativity in their interpretation of the natural inspiration.

6cHas produced an original and interesting design based on the inspiration which is labelled with materials that would be used.

6b Has researched their own source of inspiration and designed a suitable product.

6a Has researched their own source of inspiration and designed an appropriate product

7c+ Has included highlighted and annotated research related to their own source of inspiration.

You should hand in…

Challenge

Choose a source of natural inspiration and design a textile product which mimics or copies your inspiration in some way. Textiles products are made from fabric and include clothing, interiors such as curtains and bedding, outdoors products such as tents and hammocks and even building materials such as insulation. Use the success criteria below to support you in meeting or exceeding your MEG level.

Your research for level 6a and above(key information should be highlighted)

Your design(coloured and labelled)

Evaluation(written in full sentences)

Examples to support……...

Or come up with your own natural source of inspiration. Print our your research and highlight important phrases – you could also annotate your research with initial ideas.

1. Honeycomb

Bees produce a hexagonal structure for their young. The hexagons have the advantage of

• Strength• Warmth• Take up less space

2. Leaves

The membrane (skin) of a leaf allows to moisture to escape whilst remaining waterproof from the outside… think about waterproof clothing that might need to let sweat out!

3. Octopus suckers

The shape of octopus suckers allow them to stick onto a surface and unstuck as needed… think about non slip safety features/ stickable products.

Example:

Product:_________________________Inspired by:______________________Draw and label your design below, don’t forget to label and add colour.

Evaluation:Explain what Biomimetics means _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is the function of your product and how is it related to nature?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What are the strengths of your design?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What are the weaknesses?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How could your design been improved further?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________