inspiration from animals ethology

1. WHAT DESIGNERS CAN LEARN
FROM DIFFERENT ANIMALS

2. Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and
genius.
#Edward O. Wilson
Designers of all types can gain inspiration from animals found in the
wild. Many great designers exhibit behaviors similar to the
movement, characteristics and instincts of nature’s creatures.
Accomplished designers understand that there is no greater and
more perfect creation than what can be found in nature. Designers
that adapt the behaviors, instincts or habits of animals into their
approach will find that they will develop designs that are innovative
and efficient.
This article will examine how animals can inspire designers of all
types to greatness.

3. 1. LION

4. Lions are considered the King of the Jungle because they prey on nearly
every animal from leopards to cheetahs. They are brave animals that will
challenge nearly every animal in the wild. Every day, they spend two to
three hours walking and 50 minutes eating. The remaining 20 hours they
are resting, socializing, or grooming. Most of a lion’s hunting is completed
during the night hours until dawn.
-Designers in the same way must be fearless. They must be brave enough
to be innovative in their designs and land major contracts with companies.
Designers must be highly adaptable to any environment, while maximizing
their full potential. Great designs often come when we are alert and well
rested. But often, designers must burn the midnight oil to present clients
with their best options.
As lions and lionesses, designers must remain competitive and remain
ahead of the competition to maintain their position as lead designers in
their region or in the world. Lionesses are often more agile and do most of
the hunting for their pride. Keep in mind that lioness designers may also
dominate in some areas of design because of their natural instinct. Use this
knowledge to your company’s advantage.

5. 2. TIGER

6. Tigers have recently beaten out the dog for the world’s favorite animal.
This animal is territorial and maintains a solitary lifestyle. They are
camouflaged by their stripes and are simply unafraid to challenge any
animal in the wild. Though the elephant is too large for the tiger to kill, the
tiger will still try to intimidate the elephant nonetheless. Tigers have been
known to successfully kill a rhinoceros, crocodile, moose, leopard, and
numerous other large animals of the wild. They are faster than lions and
can leap 10 meters or more, but they have very little stamina.
-Tiger designers must not be afraid of the large projects that seem out
of their scope. Just as the tiger challenges the elephant, designers must
also meet challenges without fear. Designers must take their numerous
solitary moments to create and develop a solid design. Though there are
some moments of collaboration with the team and the client, designers
must retreat to create their designs as quickly as possible to meet the
client’s deadline. Like a tiger’s hunting style, designers must be strategic in
accepting and planning projects to continually generate fresh new designs.

7. 3. GIRAFFE

8. Giraffes have several advantages over other animals in the wild kingdom.
The most obvious is the giraffe’s height. They can reach and consume more
nutrients than their competitors in the wild, such as the impala or kudu.
The giraffe also has the shortest sleep requirements of any mammal in the
wild. The average is approximately 4.5 to 4.6 hours per 24 hours.
- Like giraffes, Designers must be able to land more projects and reach
higher peaks than our competitors. Designers must strive to view
challenges from a different perspective and tackle the projects in a new
light. Designers often have to adopt the behavior of giraffes and survive on
4.5 hours of sleep per night for short periods of time to complete major
projects.

9. 4. CAMEL

10. Camels are resilient creatures that can withstand incredible temperatures
and water consumption levels that would kill other animals. They can
retain a significant amount of water in their cells, kidneys, and intestines.
They then can go long periods without water, because the fat tissue in the
humps of the camel metabolizes and produces energy for the animal.
-Designers need to be resilient and adapt to changes in the work
environment that may seem unreasonable in other environments. The
work hours are often long, but the end product of the designs are
rewarding. Designers must be energetic and constantly evolving to provide
a design that is better than the competition in the least amount of time
possible.

11. Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own
and makes it so much the larger and better in every
way. — John Muir

12. 5. CHEETAH

13. The cheetah, by far, has the fastest speed of any animal on land. The
cheetah reaches speeds between 70 and 75 miles per hour. The cheetah
can reach 62 mph in three seconds or less. After long sprints, they must
rest for at least 30 minutes before achieving those speeds again. They may
be the fastest in the wild kingdom, but their prey often escapes them
because they will let them go, rather than risk an injury. Consequently, the
cheetah’s success rate of landing their kill is only about 50%.
-Designers must acquire some the cheetah’s instinct to survive. They
must be agile and fast to land the project and complete it according to the
deadline. Designers must not overwork themselves or they will “burn out”
and produce lower quality work. Additionally, designers may run the risk of
losing half of their clients. Speed, however, will delineate a designer from
their competition.

14. 6. DOLPHIN

15. Dolphins are highly intelligent animals. Their brains are highly complex, and
they can hear frequencies ten times higher than the normal human being.
Dolphins are social creatures and form strong bonds with people. They
have been known to rescue injured humans or aid in human therapy. They
also enjoy communication through a variety of clicks, whistles, and other
sounds. Play time is an important part of their lifestyle and culture.
- Design relies upon listening to the client and determining exactly what
they need and desire. As designers, they must learn to listen better than
their competitors. Designers must pick up on the nuances that their
competitors will miss during the consultation. This will help your firm
deliver a solution that meets the needs of the client.
Loyalty is a large part of building brand image. Designers must form
relationships with customers and also fellow designers to build business. If
a client is the victim of a bad design, designers must rescue them and offer
a better solution. Designers, like dolphins, must engage their customers
and peers in play to discover innovative ideas and solutions to problems.

16. 7. WHALE

17. Whales are one of the largest animals to have ever existed. They spend
90% of their lives under water and only surface to breathe through their
blow holes. Whales cannot afford to consciously sleep or they will drown.
Therefore, a portion of their brain is always functioning to keep them
afloat.
Like whales, our creative juices are always flowing. At night, when we
sleep, our subconscious may be thinking about the latest design. In the
middle of the night, designers may wake up and sketch out an idea to avoid
forgetting.
-Some Designers never achieve a deep sleep, because their most
innovative ideas come when they lay down to rest. A designer’s job is often
spent at the computer, drafting board, or with the client. When we come
up for air, a designer truly needs to release just as the whale releases
accumulated water through its blow hole.

18. • Living with animals can be a wonderful
experience, especially if we choose to learn the
valuable lessons animals teach through their
natural enthusiasm, grace, resourcefulness,
affection and forgiveness. — Richard H.
Pitcairn

19. 8. TURTLE

20. Turtles are excellent at hiding from their predators. They retreat into their
shells and can hide completely submerged in water or on land. Some
turtles are more agile than others depending upon their preference to
water or land. Though turtles have incredible night vision, they move
slowly because of their shells.
- Often Designers must hide or retreat to privacy to focus on a design for
a client. Designers must learn to be methodical in their designs to ensure
that they meet codes and also the client’s specifications. Being a visionary
in design often allows you to see the entire picture when other designers
fail to understand the client’s request. Turtles are protective of themselves
and highly adaptable to different environments, as designers should be.

21. 9. OWL

22. An owl’s hunting strategy is highly dependent upon the element of
surprise. They blend in with their environment and are virtually invisible at
times. Their feathers, also, allow them near silent flight. Their camouflage
and silent flight comprise their competitive advantage in the wild.
- Designers must know their competitive advantage in the world of
design. Like the owl, designers must establish an edge that delineates them
from the competition. Designers must be like owls and design for any type
of environment. If you are an interior designer, you should be able to
design modern contemporary, French country, or Renaissance spaces.
Versatility and capturing your audience’s attention with the element of
surprise is instrumental to success.

23. IDEAL
DESIGNER

25. CONCLUSION
Whatever your style that you may have cultivated, you should demonstrate
your ability and creativity by showing others your animal instincts through
fearless and flawless design work.
Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion
to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. –
Albert Einstein
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2011/12/what-designers-can-learn-
from-different-animals/