The design of products, processes, and organizations guided by principles observed in living systems can be referred to as "Bioinspired System Design." In a series of posts, we delve into the potential of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to generate bioinspired product design concepts as a part of the idea management process. Specifically, we will look at how living organisms can serve as inspiration to redesign common products and human artifacts including bags, cars, bags, pens, tanks, trains, and umbrellas. In each of these articles, we will examine how the unique characteristics and behaviors of a particular living organism can be incorporated into the design of the bioinspired product.
- Elephantcopter: AI Designed Elephant Inspired Helicopters
- Camelar: AI Product Ideation for Camel Inspired Cars
- Koafa: AI Product Ideation for the Koala Inspired Sofas
- Paradiso: AI Product Ideation for Birds-of-Paradise Inspired T-Shirts
- Tigoes: AI Product Ideation for Tiger Inspired Shoes
- Flutterbag: AI Product Ideation for Butterfly Inspired Bags
- Squink: AI Product Ideation for Squid Inspired Pens
- Eaglex: AI Product Ideation for Eagle Inspired Trains
- Honeypot: AI Product Ideation for Honeybee Inspired Cups
- Pandabode: AI Product Ideation for Panda Inspired Beds
- Hippotub: AI Product Ideation for Hippo Inspired Bathtubs
- Spidercopter: AI Designed Spider Inspired Helicopters
- Owlock: AI Product Ideation for Owl Inspired Clocks
- Tortool: AI Product Ideation for Tortoise Inspired Stools
- Peasock: AI Product Ideation for Peacock Inspired Socks
- Avivant™: AI Enabled Ideation for Bird Inspired Clothing Brand
- Porush: AI Product Ideation for Porcupine Inspired Brushes
- Beetlux™: AI Enabled Ideation for Beetle Inspired Lighting Brand
- Penggle: AI Enabled Ideation for Penguin Inspired Bottles
- Squar: AI Enabled Ideation for Squirrel Inspired Jars
- Jellabrella: AI Enabled Ideation for Jellyfish Inspired Umbrellas
- Sharkeye: AI Enabled Ideation for Shark Inspired Kitchen Knives
- Beavertable: AI Enabled Ideation for Beaver Inspired Tables
- Sheepdreams: AI Enabled Ideation for Sheep Inspired Pillows
- Rhinotank: AI Enabled Ideation for Rhino Inspired Tanks
- Androne: AI Product Ideation for Ant Inspired Drones
- Catuum: AI Product Ideation for Cat Inspired Vacuum Cleaners
- Karoodle: AI Enabled Ideation for Kangaroo Inspired Cradles
- Slothchair: AI Product Ideation for Sloth Inspired Chairs
- Zebtain: AI Product Ideation for Zebra Inspired Curtains
- Deerlanger: AI Product Ideation for Deer Inspired Hangers
- Dogobot: AI Product Ideation for Dog Inspired Robotic Toys
- Torscion: Car Bioinspired by the Tortoise and the Scorpion
- Phantafly™: Chair Bioinspired by the Elephant and the Butterfly
- Snaise: AI Product Ideation for Snail Inspired Vases
- Floxpers™: AI Product Ideation for Fox Inspired Slippers
- HiGiraffe: AI Product Ideation for Giraffe Inspired High Chairs
- Armadase: AI Product Ideation for Armadillo Inspired Briefcases
- Monkeyring: AI Product Ideation for Monkey Inspired Keychains
- Horserock: AI Product Ideation for Horse Inspired Rocking Chairs
- Crabbatoy: Reverse Ideation for Crab Inspired Toys
- Fluttertoy: Reverse Ideation for Butterfly Inspired Toys
- Froogles: AI Product Ideation for Frog Inspired Goggles
- Croacket: AI Product Ideation for Crocodile Inspired Jackets
- Batealth: AI Product Ideation for Bat Inspired Model Stealth Planes
- Snukzle: Reverse Ideation for Snake Inspired Wooden Puzzles
- Rabbitooth: AI Product Ideation for Rabbit Inspired Graters
- Hmmbee: AI Design Ideation for Bee Hummingbird Jugs
- Stickuana: AI Product Ideation for Iguana Inspired Tape
- Cicadian™: Design Ideation for a Cicada Inspired Gadget
- Dolphatch: Design Ideation for a Dolphin Inspired Yachts
- Platoplays™: Generative AI for Platypus Inspired Toy Brand
- Phantafly™ Toys Inspired by The Elephant and the Butterfly
- Phantafly™ Artisanal Chocolate Design Ideation with Generative AI
- Phantafly™ Bag Design Ideation with Generative AI
- Phantafly™ Cake Design Ideation with Generative AI
- Raytoor: Design Ideation for Manta Ray Inspired Scooters
- Eelectrun™: Electric Eel Inspired Running Shoes
- Cameleot™: A Home Inspired by the Lion, Camel, and Chameleon
- Zootle: Designing Bioinspired Rattle Toys using Form Leads Function
Function Follows Form in AI-Enabled Product Ideation
Atypical designs generated by generative AI models that challenge the status quo can be valuable inputs during the early stages of new product development. These designs can inspire designers to think beyond their preconceptions of what is possible or desirable in a product, both in terms of form and function. An unusual or atypical form can encourage designers to consider the potential benefits of this novel design. This approach, which can be referred to as "function follows form," can help overcome biases such as design fixation, functional fixedness, and the Einstellung effect, where previous experience can prevent new ideas from emerging. This can lead to creative solutions that may not have been discovered using a more traditional "form follows function" approach, where the functions are determined first, and the form is designed to accommodate them.
Reverse Ideation
In the realm of product design, the "function follows form" approach to idea generation allows for intentional vagueness in the early stages of the ideation process, a method we refer to as reverse ideation. The objective is to use generated images with vague functional features as a catalyst for further ideation. For instance, specifying that we desire the image of a "product" or "toy" without providing additional specifications can result in a plethora of design concepts, some of which may lack clarity in terms of function. The crucial aspect of this approach is inferring the functionality of the product from the abstract designs produced by text-to-image models.
Generating a multitude of designs can stimulate creative thinking and the exploration of new possibilities. These designs can also serve as a valuable tool in market research or focus group exercises, yielding new perspectives on potential products. For an example of reverse ideation, see Crabbatoy: Reverse Ideation for Crab Inspired Toys.
Generative AI Business (GAIB) Models
Once generated, these concepts can then be submitted to a business, who would then create a personalized version of the product based on the customer's design. Alternatively, user-submitted designs may be posted on a crowdsourcing platform, where they can be evaluated by the community and top designs selected for further development.
Democratizing Innovation
By using generative AI, businesses can quickly and easily generate a large number of design options, which can help them to uncover new and innovative designs that they may not have considered otherwise. This can help businesses to stay competitive and find new ways to differentiate themselves in the marketplace.
This approach of using generative AI also plays a role in "democratizing innovation" by giving individuals with unique ideas, but without specialized design skills, the ability to easily create visual representations of their ideas and have them considered by businesses or the public. It also allows businesses to tap into a wider pool of ideas and potentially uncover new and innovative designs that they may not have considered otherwise.
Crowdsourcing coupled with the capabilities of generative AI technology makes it possible for individual users with unique and innovative ideas, who may not have access to the resources or knowledge needed to create professional-looking designs, to have their ideas considered by businesses. This can also lead to the improvement of ideas in crowdsourcing challenges, which have been criticized for leading to mostly poor-quality ideas. This can help to level the playing field and give more people the opportunity to contribute to the innovation process.
Further Reading
- How Generative AI Is Changing Creative Work (hbr.org)
- What is Generative AI? (fastcompany.com)
- Finding a Business Case for Generative AI | eWEEK
- Form Follows Function | The Guggenheim Museums and Foundation
- The Meaning of 'Form Follows Function' (thoughtco.com)
- Democratizing innovation | Eric Von Hippel
- Democratizing Innovation - HBS Working Knowledge
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