1. Exploring Biomimetic Interfaces
Exploring Biomimetic Interfaces
CIID Summer Course 2013
Non-human centric design excersize
OVERVIEW
THE DESIGN CHALLENGE: Enhancing communication
From the perspective of your non human user, design a device that improves their meth-
ods of communication or information exchange with others of their own species, other
species, or humans. Build a prototype incorporating a physical and electrical component.
It should have a sensory input, a visual or auditory output, and a feedback mechanism,
preferably using Arduino.
Consider: a design object for a non human user that engages humans to perform an ac-
tion on the non-human user’s behalf.
1. GO OUTSIDE TO THE PARK. Go to a quiet spot where you cannot see people or build-
ings. Bring a notebook and a camera.
2. OBSERVE. Look around. Find a live plant, animal, or an organism in nature that you par-
ticularly connect with. [a tree, a cat, the grass, a mushroom, an ant, etc.]
THIS IS YOUR NON-HUMAN USER that you will embody. Consider life from the point of
view of this organism.
3. EMPATHY: Gather as much information as possible. Document through writing,
photographs, and drawings. Explore by touching, rearranging, and physically-interacting.
From the perspective of the organism / object, consider the following questions:
What are the things I like to do? What do I need to do to stay alive? What do I eat? How
do I move and travel? Do I sleep? Who do I communicate with? Why do I communicate?
Actually act out being this non-human user. Make scenarios; use natural elements as
props. Really dig deep and try to understand life from the perspective of this animal.
4. INTERFACES: What Are Some Interfaces That This Organism / Object Interacts With? How
does this organism communicate with others?

2. CIID Summer Course
5. DEFINE
DEFINE the Non-Human USER: is it an animal, insect, plant fungus? What is its name?
DEFINE the NEEDS: what are the emotional & physical necessities when that user interacts
with others? Needs should be ACTIONS not NOUNS.
Ask : WHY when you notice something particular, or contradictions.
INSIGHTS: Write down some insights, contradictions, surprises.
Generate 3-6 POV [point of view] statements from the perspective of the organism that
deal with its communication and interactions with its own species, other species, or
humans.
USER [Bumblebees] NEED to communicate with each other to come join in eating honey
BECAUSE [some people left a big sugary sandwich on the ground].
or
USER [Spider] NEEDS to run away when it sees shadows BECAUSE [it fears that the shad-
ow is a human foot that will crush it].
Choose 1 POV statement you like the most:
It should be the most remarkable realization that you can leverage for a design solution
that pertains to communication.
Refer back to the design brief on the previous page.
6. Identify / Plan.
Gather materials that you might use in designing your solution.
RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM
8. 12:00 PM tomorrow morning: Demo your design, perhaps outside.