How to Learn From Nature

Biomimics don't ask, “How can I use nature?”. Instead, they ask: “How can my product or business function like nature?” And then, they learn FROM nature to get them there.

So, let's explore the question: How do we learn from nature? 

Watch this video, which forms part of the Biomimicry Short Course set, for a short overview of the translation process. 

Learning From Nature (Biomimicry) vs Learning About Nature (Biology)

You may have studied biology in school or university and have accumulated a lot of knowledge ABOUT nature. Biomimicry is different in that it shifts our lens to one where we are learning FROM nature. As you walk in nature you may recognise what you see as a shell, kelp, a leaf, etc. and because you know what it is, you miss the opportunity to explore it for what you can learn FROM it.

When exploring a cell, an organism, or an ecosystem – we don’t necessarily need to know what it is (except as a starting point for research) but rather: what it is doing, how it is doing it, and how we can translate that into the design of new products, processes or systems. Shifting our lens to learning FROM is one of the primary practices in biomimicry.

When we shift from learning about these organisms to learning from them - we have the opportunity to notice new things we might have missed; shapes/structures, recipes or how it fits within the larger system.

Why Biomimicry is Translation 

Biomimicry is essentially translation, and a critical step in the translation process is looking at the function and the context of the natural model we are studying.  

We use the word “design” here to mean anything that we create, whether a product, process, team, or organization. It's a language translation because different disciplines use different jargon or terminology. The key is to create a bridge between the biological organism or system; and the design application. In biomimicry, the bridge is around what the organism, and what the design is doing.

We call this the “verb” or the “function”.

The second part of the bridge is the context. What are the operating conditions that the organism or ecosystem is functioning in and what are the operating conditions that your design is functioning in and how are these similar?

The function an organism achieves can be studied and translated to achieve a similar function in human design, and solve a challenge. Learn more about the design methods used in this translation process in the Biomimicry Short Course set. 

Below, we'll explore step by step how the translation process works, from learning from a natural model right through to designing a product or framework. 

Translation Step 1: Identifying the function

The function is a verb - meaning what it is doing, and a noun is what its name is. 

A cactus and a water bottle have different names but they're both doing the same thing, which is storing liquids. A firefly and a light bulb are different nouns but they both do the same function, which leads us to the verb “create light”. Shark skin and antibacterial soap are two different nouns, but they both achieve the same function, which is to manage bacteria. You get where we’re going with this. 

This image is free to use, provided the user credits and links to Learn Biomimicry. 

Example of  how to apply this: Imagine you were given the task of creating a biomimetic air conditioning system for a building. If you were to ask, are there any air conditioners in nature?  

It would be difficult to find one because an air conditioner is a noun. So instead, you ask what the air conditioner does, and you find its function is to regulate the temperature. Then, you can ask, is there anything in nature that regulates temperature? And you would find that there are thousands of examples of how nature regulates temperature! (Just… AskNature).

Translation Step 2: Understanding the context

In order to narrow down and focus your biological research you need to also define what operating conditions or context your design needs to function within. Context is critical and includes both the local socio-economic and technological contexts and in biomimicry design, we include the big-picture context as well.

You should start with searching for organisms and ecosystems that meet that function in the same operating conditions that your design will be functioning within. When you're designing a building that isn't going to move, the best place to start is to “ask the locals”. If all the locals are burrowing underground then maybe you should do the same with your buildings.

 If you're building foundations in sand, then look to the organisms that are experts at that. If your building is in a hurricane zone, then look at the palm trees that remain standing after a hurricane, and find out how they achieve this. 

If your air conditioning system needs to manage the temperature fluctuations in Zimbabwe,  

then look to the local Zimbabwean organisms that are experts at managing temperature. Zimbabwean architect Nick Pierce did exactly that, and  figured out how to regulate the temperature of a building by mimicking the way termites regulate the temperature of their mounds. 

Are you interested in architecture? Read: How to Apply Biomimicry in Architecture

The building is the Eastgate Center in Harare and it consumes less than 50% of the energy used in conventionally air-conditioned buildings in the area.

For more biomimicry examples, watch: Our Top 10 Biomimicry Examples of All Time

Translation Step 3: Abstracting the Design Principles

This is where biomimicry comes into its own. Once you have found an organism/ecosystem that has a strategy you are interested in – it will almost definitely be described in biological terms. Although this may inspire you with an idea, in general, it helps to be sure the inspiration is accurate. Take the time to distill the relevant components and translate it into a design idea. This step is also a translation step – in that you are translating the biology into design. In biomimicry, we call this ABSTRACTING the DESIGN PRINCIPLE. 

“Biology by itself is interesting, but were you to just hand it over to the design team, most designers wouldn’t know what to do with it. An additional step of translation is now necessary. We call the translation phase ABSTRACTING.” - Biomimicry Resource Handbook by Biomimicry 3.8

You can read even more about the Biomimicry Design Lens on Biomimicry 3.8

Abstracting the design principle is a challenging area to explain. If you are interested in learning more about it beyond the scope of this article - we highly recommend signing up for our Biomimicry Short Course Set. 

In closing

Biomimicry is a translation step or a bridge between biology and design. A critical translation step in biomimicry includes identifying function and context, and this works from biology to design and vice versa. Finally, abstracting the design principle ensures that designers understand the biological function, and ensures biomimicry can begin!

Interested in exploring more through a biomimicry course? Read: The Top Biomimicry Courses and Certificates of 2025 📚