Themes Inspired by Nature

Inspired by Nature

Who can fail to marvel at the shape of a leaf, the sleek power of a cheetah, the dance of two bodies connecting? These speakers celebrate and take inspiration from the natural world -- in the design of a new chair or in a vision for living lightly upon the Earth.

Janine Benyus talks about biomimicry, the practice of copying nature's own engineers, while designers Ross Lovegrove and Paul Bennett discuss the practice of solving design problems by reducing them to evolutionary principles. And Alex Steffen from Worldchanging.com shares his bright-green vision for a society in harmony.

For your own shot of inspiration, take a look at the work of photographer Frans Lanting, and his spine-tingling images of natural grace.

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Play_iconSimon Berrow: How do you save a shark you know nothing about?

Simon Berrow: How do you save a shark you know nothing about?

16:46 Posted: Feb 2012

Views: 284,596 | Comments: 37

Play_iconErik Johansson: Impossible photography

Erik Johansson: Impossible photography

06:21 Posted: Feb 2012

Views: 960,454 | Comments: 87

Play_botw_iconBjarke Ingels: Hedonistic sustainability

Bjarke Ingels: Hedonistic sustainability

22:25 Posted: Jan 2012

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Play_iconCheryl Hayashi: The magnificence of spider silk

Cheryl Hayashi: The magnificence of spider silk

14:28 Posted: Dec 2011

Views: 532,400 | Comments: 114

Play_iconRobin Ince: Science versus wonder?

Robin Ince: Science versus wonder?

08:38 Posted: Nov 2011

Views: 549,666 | Comments: 137

Play_iconYves Rossy: Fly with the Jetman

Yves Rossy: Fly with the Jetman

14:48 Posted: Nov 2011

Views: 700,200 | Comments: 100

Play_iconNathalie Miebach: Art made of storms

Nathalie Miebach: Art made of storms

04:19 Posted: Oct 2011

Views: 388,488 | Comments: 55

Play_iconChristoph Adami: Finding life we can't imagine

Christoph Adami: Finding life we can't imagine

18:51 Posted: Oct 2011

Views: 461,758 | Comments: 159

Play_iconKate Hartman: The art of wearable communication

Kate Hartman: The art of wearable communication

09:05 Posted: Sep 2011

Views: 483,033 | Comments: 167

Play_iconGeoffrey West: The surprising math of cities and corporations

Geoffrey West: The surprising math of cities and corporations

17:33 Posted: Jul 2011

Views: 974,020 | Comments: 225

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