Biomimicry education as a vehicle for circular design

Biomimicry is one of the most ‘relevant theoretical influences’ of circular economy (CE), where design is characterized by its closed-loop system; resources that go in, remain in the loop. Biomimicry tools and methods serve as guidelines useful in circular product development. Biomimicry also meets the concept of a CE by understanding and implementing the same complex multi-functional strategies learned from ecosystems such as the forest, for example, mimicking these processes and interconnections within a circular design cycle. This chapter considers ‘Conceptual Systems Thinking, or the consideration of multiple functions and relationships within the design solution realm’ to examine a semester of Biomimicry Design Thinking for an Industrial Design Engineering bachelor programme in the Spring semester of 2020. Jones and Kijima describe systemic design as being an approach useful for solving complex problems in a holistic manner while using design reasoning and scientific principles. Systems theory provides a method to incorporate and organize patterns.