Biomimetic design-project-final

1. United Nations
Biomimetic Design Project – Final
John Longhamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015

2. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
United Nations Biomimetic Design Brief
Design Challenge: Leveraging Biomimetic Design Methodologies to
Support youth employment and career development.
Introduction:
United Nations experience indicates that investing in the development of
young people promises to benefit society in the present and in the future.
However, there is an epidemic youth employment crisis at hand. The United
Nations is positioning interagency alignment to support initiatives to foster
sustainable economic growth through actions aligned with the Post-2015 UN
Development Agenda. The UN agency spearheading the development of youth labor
frameworks is the International Labor Organization (ILO).
The Problem:
The following information and statistics are excerpted from ILO video
materials. As a potential consultative candidate for the UN, you would do
well to review said video materials here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LykE1Soyjwc There are 74.5 million
unemployed young persons (ILO). In advanced countries, youth unemployment and
discouragement remain persistent (ILO). The youth unemployment rate is 13.1%,
nearly three times the rate of adult unemployment (ILO). Young people with
higher levels of education are increasingly taking up jobs for which they are
overqualified (ILO). In developing countries, the challenge is not only
creating jobs, but also finding decent jobs for those young people who are
under-employed and working within the informal economy (ILO). More than 228
million young people are working poor (ILO). The economy will have to create
600 million productive jobs over the next decade (ILO). In 2012 the
International Labor Conference made a call for action that identified 5 key
policy areas: (1) economic policies for increased creation of employment, (2)
labor market policies for vulnerable youth, (3) education and training, (4)
entrepreneurship and self-employment, and (5) labor rights for youth (ILO).
The Opportunity:
The United Nations is seeking to engage a sustainable design consultant to
utilize biomimetic design methodologies to develop a context-adaptive agile
framework to support national youth employment and career development in the
United States through local modes of implementation.
Goals:
In alignment with the resolution and conclusions of the 101st Session of the
International Labor Conference, Geneva, 2012, project goals include: (1)
practical national frameworks for vulnerable groups of young people including
youth from low-income families and young women, to prepare for, enter, and
remain in the labor market, (2) assessment and recommendations for graduate
unemployment and national labor market needs, and (3) supporting national
entrepreneurship education for vulnerable youth. Goals one through three

3. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
correlate to biomimetic design concepts in the following way, respectively:
(1) systematically protecting and promoting diversity with the labor market
ecosystem, (2) whole-system analysis of the resources available within
graduate talent pools and the resource needs of the national labor market,
and (3) incubating and growing the latent entrepreneurial potential of
vulnerable youth.
Target Audience:
The following audiences will be supported through the efforts of this special
project: (1) vulnerable groups of young people including youth from low-
income families and young women, (2) recent college graduates, (3)
systematically disenfranchised creative and high-potential entrepreneurial
youth.
What this Initiative is Intended to Do:
I. Establish a context-adaptive agile framework to support national youth
employment and career development in the United States through local modes
of implementation that:
1. Respects the diversity of national situations to develop practical
frameworks that span across sectors, are context-specific, and
engage a comprehensive range of stakeholders
2. Prepares groups of vulnerable young people including
low-income youth and young women for entry into the labor market.
3. Enters this group of vulnerable young people into the labor market.
4. Retains this group of vulnerable young people in the labor market.
5. Assesses and provide recommendations for graduate unemployment
policy integration into higher level framework architecture.
6. Assesses and provides recommendations of national labor market
needs.
7. Supports entrepreneurship education for disenfranchised youth.
8. Empowers vulnerable young people to apply their creativity and
ability.
Functions this Initiative Must Perform:
1. Long-term systemic sustainability through leveraging diverse, locally
attuned functionality and response.
2. Incubation of youth skills.
3. Incubation of youth mental health.
4. Integration of traditionally isolated groups of youth into various
tiers of the labor market.
5. Assessment of the environmental conditions of the graduate un- and
under- employment.
6. Assessment of the environmental conditions of national labor market
needs.
7. Nurturing and growth of entrepreneurial skills in vulnerable youth.
8. Growth of skill and executive function within the minds of vulnerable
youth.

4. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
Guiding Values:
In alignment with the resolution and conclusions of the 101st Session of the
International Labor Conference, Geneva, 2012, the following guiding values
should be embodied in the methods, application, and outcomes of the practical
frameworks resulting from the efforts of this special consultative project.
(1) Respect for the diversity of national situations to develop practical
frameworks that span across sectors, context-specific, and engage a
comprehensive range of stakeholders, (2) ensuring the rights of all young
people are respected, (3) ensuring youth are heard and their creativity
engaged in the creation of the solution. Biomimetic design harbors the
primary methods in which to manifest these guiding values from the design of
all deliverables through to the manifestation of intended outcomes.
Existing Initiatives:
Seeds of Promise is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Grand
Rapids, Michigan. Seeds of Promise looks to empower urban residents to direct
their own strategies to create a self-sustaining, self-transforming
neighborhood (www.seedsofpromise.org). Seeds of Promise seeks to
increase sustainable employment of local youth by implementing support
systems, and cultivating the development of businesses with local stakeholder
ownership.
Timeframe for Completion:
Completion within one year, following the establishment of the Post-2015 UN
Sustainable Development Agenda.
Non-negotiables:
 A fundamental belief that the rights, voices, creativity, and value of
all young people should be respected.
 Scope-of-work adherence as defined by the resolution and conclusions of
the 101st Session of the International Labor Conference, Geneva, 2012.
 Previous consultative experience.
 Previous experience in policy design and framework architecture.
 Previous experience conducting biomimetic design exercises leading to
actionable output.
 Flawless adherence to kick-off meetings, reviews, committee
correspondence expectations.

5. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
Intended Outcomes & Functions
Design Challenge
What is the Design
Intended to Do?
Functions
Support youth
employment and
career
development.
I. Establish a context-adaptive
agile framework to support
national youth employment and
career development in the
United States through local
modes of implementation that:
1. Respects the diversity of
national situations to
develop practical
frameworks that span
across sectors, are
context-specific, and
engage a comprehensive
range of stakeholders
2. Prepares groups of
vulnerable young people
including
low-income youth and
young women for entry
into the labor market.
3. Enters this group of
vulnerable young people
into the labor market.
4. Retains this group of
vulnerable young people
in the labor market.
5. Assesses and provide
recommendations for
graduate unemployment
policy integration into
higher level framework
architecture.
6. Assesses and provides
recommendations of
national labor market
needs.
7. Supports entrepreneurship
education for
disenfranchised youth.
8. Empowers vulnerable young
people to apply their
creativity and ability.
1. Long-term
systemic
sustainability
through
leveraging
diverse, locally
attuned
functionality and
response.
2. Incubation of
youth skills.
3. Incubation of
youth mental
health.
4. Integration of
traditionally
isolated groups
of youth into
various tiers of
the labor market.
5. Assessment of the
environmental
conditions of the
graduate un- and
under-
employment.
6. Assessment and
accommodation of
national labor
market needs.
7. Nurturing and
growth of
entrepreneurial
skills in
disenfranchised
youth.
8. Growth of skill
and executive
function within
the minds of
vulnerable youth.
9. Protect-end users
and the system
from scams.
10. Develop
partnerships for
tracking metrics.

6. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
Design Process
Round 1:
Identify: Assessment and accommodation of the national labor market
needs.
Translate: Reworded function: how does nature maintain community
within the same species?
Discover (Bio Strategy) 1: White-fronted bee-eaters modify individual
behavior for the benefit of the group. They place priority on
collective survival rather than self-survival. However, this is still
an expression of genetic selfishness, only, rather than achieving
species survival through self- preservation, these helper birds have
adapted to expend their energy in assisting their neighbors.
image: asknature.org
Discover (Bio Strategy) 2: “For hermit crabs, finding a shell is not an
easy process. Unlike snails and mussels, hermit crabs cannot grow their
own shell, and must therefore search periodically for empty snail
shells to switch into as they grow. Not only must they find a shell
that is not broken, but the shell must be the right size, and there is
often considerable competition for these new homes. Hermit crabs have
developed two separate systems for quickly and efficiently finding the
perfect shell. These systems, known as asynchronous and synchronous
vacancy chains, allow hermit crabs to trade shells with each other
(AskNature).”
Discover (Bio Strategy) 3: “Within ant colonies, each ant has a specific
role. In the leaf-cutter species, foraging ants are tasked with
collecting leaf fragments and bringing them back to the colony. One may
think that a forager would collect the largest possible payload.
However, high payloads are not shown to result in more efficient
transport. Instead, foragers generally carry loads well below their
maximum potential. Load size is influenced by two factors: a more
manageable workload for processor ants, and the speed of other
foragers…

7. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
…When foragers return to the colony, they pass their loads to the
processor ants. Processors collect the material and distribute it among
the colony. There are more foragers than processors. If every forager
brought large of loads to the colony, the processors would be
overwhelmed by the volume of leaves coming into the colony and fall
behind. As a result, materials would not be distributed throughout the
colony in a timely manner (AskNature).”
Abstract (For Bio Strategy 1): Individual behavior in human end-user
groups on both the talent supply and talent demand sides can be modified
for the benefit of the whole.
Emulate: The collective needs of regions can be expressed, visualized,
and aggregated through a web-portal. The collective voice expressed
through the web-portal will allow diverse stakeholders to support each
other’s needs through distributed contributions aimed at creating
increased jobs, which will result in greater economic sustainability.
Emulated Design Concept:

8. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
Round 2:
Identify: A comprehensive context-adaptive agile framework to
support national youth employment and career development in the
United States through local modes of implementation must be created.
This framework must contain comprehensive instruction (all available
information) at a high level, and be able to discern when are where
certain information is appropriate to put into action.
Translate: Reworded function: how does nature store and locally
distribute resources?
Discover (Bio Strategy) 1: “The genome, which is comprised of DNA,
is the entire genetic composition of an organism. Most of the genetic
material is found in the cell nucleus. The primary function of the
genome is to encode the proteome, which is the entire protein
complement of a cell or organism. Proteins are largely responsible
for the structure and function of cells and complete organisms.”
(Brooker, et al. “Biology.”)
Image: Brooker, et al, “Biology” [book]
Discover (Bio Strategy) 2: “Geoffrey Coates and others at Cornell
University have discovered a highly efficient chemical route for
synthesis of a polymer known as poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate) or PHB, a
thermoplastic polyester found in nature, particularly in some
bacteria. Bacteria use it as a storage form of carbon and energy
(AskNature).”
Discover (Bio Strategy) 3: "The cation exchange is one explanation
for why Sphagnum can grow in extremely poor habitats. Another factor
is the ability to conserve nutrients. As the lower parts of the
shoots are incorporated into peat, the plant faces the risk of
losing essential nutrients and minerals. By tracer techniques (l4C,

9. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
32p) it has been shown that Sphagnum can translocate metabolites to
the growing capitulum further down. This transport occurs internally
and is dependent upon the plant being alive (Rydin and Clymo 1989).
This is somewhat surprising, since Sphagnum mosses lack specialized
conductive tissue. It is made possible since the cell ends in the
stem are connected by small perforations (plasmodesmata) through
which the transport occurs. Nitrogen is accumulated in new biomass,
and it is likely that it is translocated internally in the same way
(AskNature).
Abstract (For Bio Strategy 1): The web-portal contains the entire
information footprint of the system. Information is “encoded” and
applied to the creation of region-specific implementation guides.
Emulate: Action is implemented at a regional level using comprehensive
frameworks for economic development contained at a high-level. In
emulating the genome, a “bottom-up” approach is utilized, in that
regions and stakeholders (public, private, entity, and individual) will
indicate their needs and desires (both self-indicated, and through
systemic auditing) and the centralized portal will draw from its
resources to create a custom regional “implementation guide” for
creating in-field action towards increased job creation. The indication
of needs through aggregated self-expression and systemic auditing is
handled through human-to-human interviews on the web-portal, as shown
below.
Emulated Design Concept:

10. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
Round 3:
Identify: Integration of traditionally isolated groups of youth into
various tiers of the labor market.
Translate: How does nature: maintain biodiversity?
Discover (Bio Strategy 1): “Prairie ecosystems maintain soil and
water quality and nutrient cycling because they are perennial and
have diversity (AskNature.org).”
"If we look to the planet's many different natural, land-based
ecosystems for answers on how to effectively manage soil and
water resources in our agricultural systems, the plant
communities in nearly all of them have two critical attributes in
common: perennialism and diversity. This holds true from tropical
rainforests to temperate-zone grasslands…While in many cases we
cannot entirely rewind the tape by converting annually cropped
land back to diverse perennial plantings, there is ample evidence
that reverting back to vegetative structures more closely
resembling that of the previous natural system provides
substantial benefits in terms of improved soil and water quality
and nutrient cycling." (asknature.org)
Image: asknature.org
Discover (Bio Strategy 2): “Mature savannahs maintain stability and
biodiversity by forming a complex mosaic of patches, each of which
is composed of many niches. (AskNature.org)”

11. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
Discover (Bio Strategy 3): “The mounds created by some termites
increase diversity in wetlands because they form 'islands,'
supporting trees and other species during the wet season
(AskNature.org).”
Abstract (For Bio Strategy 1): Economies are resilient and thrive in
the long-term through leveraging diversity. Resource cycling are stems
from advanced exchanges between public and private entities. No
entities should be isolated. On the contrary, all entities are
contributors who reinforce the vitality and sustainability of one
another.
Emulate: The proposed web-portal will provide national and region-
specific real-time information, indicating where there is a demand for
labor (and specification of what kind) and where there is a supply of
talent in vulnerable and underrepresented youth talent pools. Youth can
self-identify an aligned interest with the vast availability of career
development options. Vulnerable and underrepresented youth set up on-
line profiles including their interests, natural abilities, and
aspirations and begin scouting for companies – and vice-versa.
Diversification and fresh new perspectives will emerge within this
framework and benefit the entire system. The image below illustrates
the selection of career opportunities that the web-portal would present
to a youth, based on their person-to-person interview, and self-
identified interests (in alignment with regional economic needs in both
private and public sectors).
Emulated Design Concept:

12. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
Round 4:
Identify: Protect end users and the system from scams.
Translate: How does nature: protect from biotic factors?
Discover (Bio Strategy 1): “The inflorescence of a fig is protected
from insect penetration by overlapping scales. The gall wasp that
lands on the fig's inflorescence is always a female. She has already
mated and is needing to deposit her eggs. She begins to force her way
into the tiny hole in the inflorescence. This is not easy for the
entrance is guarded by overlapping scales. (AskNature.org).”
Abstract: The structure of the web-portal will make entrance of
scammers extremely difficult, protecting end-users and the system as a
whole.
Emulate: The structure of the web-portal includes a security gate set
in place including “Captcha” verification. The “Captcha” verification
will ward off bots. However a human “predator” (scammer) will be able
to get past the “Captcha” verification, so a profile review and
verification process will remove any illegal practices.
Round 5:
Identify: Develop partnerships for tracking metrics.
Translate: How does nature: cooperate between species?
Discover (Bio Strategy 1): “Australian Myrmecodia plants, which may
weigh several kilograms, have a bulbous stem honeycombed with tunnels
occupied by the ant Iridomyrmex (and, in addition, a butterfly larva).
Ants living in such 'ant-house' plants clearly gain protection: is
there any advantage to the plant? Another myrmecophyte species,
Hydnophytum formicarium, has specialised absorptive chambers. Ants
deposit their debris here, and it has been demonstrated experimentally
that when the colony is fed radioactively labelled Drosophila larvae
radioactive compounds are absorbed into the plant. The relationship is
therefore mutual: ants obtain shelter, and the plants a supply of
scarce nutrients, particularly nitrogen. (AskNature.org).”
Abstract: Partners will “deposit” information in the web-portal.
Emulate: The mutually beneficial relationship between the web-based
portal implementers and the partners will take the form of
“depositing” information that partners collect into the web-based
portal, receiving compensation and making the tool more effective.

13. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
Design Presentation
The primary focus of this biomimetic design exercise is the creation
of a web-portal to support regional and national economic growth by
integrating new UN human-rights legislation, public-private
partnerships, and career training and placement for vulnerable youth
(special focus on low-income youth and young women). The web-portal
presents an efficient and effective framework for creating actionable
and accessible change capable of contributing to national resiliency
through modes of disruptive innovation. The images below highlight
select user scenarios with the proposed web-portal. Central to the
portal is the comprehensive input from both the talent demand side,
and the talent supply side – elevating the unfiltered voices of
stakeholders themselves for the sake of strengthening their region.
1: Interview / Intake Process
3: Regional Supply/Demand Dashboard
2: Regional Collective Voice
4: Implementation Guide

14. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
5: Talent Pool (Supply Side)
Prototype Proposal
The following proposal details the assets, process, and cost to
develop a functional web-portal prototype, up to, and through launch.
Digital Assets
 Development computer
 Development platforms (Dreamweaver, Muse, Acquia, Drupal)
 Web host (local or offsite may affect pricing)
 Domain / URL sequestration
 Server-side platforms (PHP, MySQL)
 Computers with webcams (demonstrate person-to-person function)
Prototype Development Process
1. Concept formation (biomimetic design process)
2. Content development (copy, photos, establish aesthetic)
3. Site mapping
4. Wire-framing
5. Digital mock-up
6. Dev. site
7. Launch live site

15. John Longchamps
Denise DeLuca
Biomimetic Design
MCAD | Summer 2015
Cost
 Prototype (digital mock-up) - $10,000
 Prototype (dev. site) - $20,000*
 Finished (live site) - $100,000*
* These prices include the purchase of hardware - such as computers
with webcams – to demonstrate the advanced functionality of the web-
portal.