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_iconDennis vanEngelsdorp: a plea for bees

Dennis vanEngelsdorp: a plea for bees

16:28 Posted: Dec 2008

Views: 272,043 | Comments: 94

Play_iconRichard Preston on the giant trees

Richard Preston on the giant trees

19:31 Posted: Dec 2008

Views: 276,131 | Comments: 43

Play_iconGeorge Smoot: The design of the universe

George Smoot: The design of the universe

19:00 Posted: Nov 2008

Views: 610,861 | Comments: 231

Play_iconGraham Hawkes flies through the ocean

Graham Hawkes flies through the ocean

12:11 Posted: Nov 2008

Views: 141,921 | Comments: 26

Play_iconAnn Cooper talks school lunches

Ann Cooper talks school lunches

19:42 Posted: Sep 2008

Views: 445,043 | Comments: 179

Play_iconKeith Bellows on the camel's hump

Keith Bellows on the camel's hump

16:06 Posted: Sep 2008

Views: 106,987 | Comments: 12

Play_iconJane Goodall helps humans and animals live together

Jane Goodall helps humans and animals live together

23:46 Posted: Sep 2008

Views: 263,666 | Comments: 49

Play_iconDavid Griffin: How photography connects us

David Griffin: How photography connects us

14:53 Posted: Aug 2008

Views: 608,403 | Comments: 62

Play_iconRobert Lang: The math and magic of origami

Robert Lang: The math and magic of origami

15:53 Posted: Jul 2008

Views: 864,700 | Comments: 50

Play_iconLouise Leakey digs for humanity's origins

Louise Leakey digs for humanity's origins

15:36 Posted: Jul 2008

Views: 200,662 | Comments: 50

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