EP #6 | Michelle Fehler, Clinical Assistant Professor at ASU, on Biomimicry and why taking a walk in Nature should be part of everybody's job description

Episode Summary

Michelle Fehler works as a Biomimicry Professional, Visual Communication Designer and Clinical Assistant Professor at The Design School at Arizona State University and thrives to enable designers to tap into nature’s database of inspiration. Her research focuses on defining a life-centered design thinking methodology that allows an easy approach for designers to apply Biomimicry.

In our episode Michelle explains the concept of Biomimicry and talks about its potential if applied to challenges within our complex human systems. She also gives advise to fellow designers and talks about the levers she perceives to accelerate change towards a more resilient and regenerative future.


What we talk about

• In our episode Michelle gives us a great overview of Biomimicry and its application in our everyday life. 
• She tells a colourful example of the Japanese Shinkansen Bullet Train designed after the shape of a Kingfisher bird's beak to become more efficient, use less energy and significantly reduce noise.
• Michelle draws from her experience as a Graphic Designer and an example from Systems Thinking to transmit the powerful message of why we need to reconnect and value nature in order to take better decisions for a common future.

About Michelle Fehler

Michelle is a Biomimicry Professional and a Visual Communication Designer who is passionate about connecting Nature’s strategies to design. Her goal is to enable designers to tap into nature’s database of inspiration in order to find innovative solutions. Her research focuses on defining a life-centered design thinking methodology that allows an easy approach for designers to apply Biomimicry. 

As a Clinical Assistant Professor at The Design School at Arizona State University, she teaches various multi-disciplinary courses to undergraduate and graduate students in design, as well as part of the Master's Biomimicry Program at ASU. 

She has presented her work at various conferences such as at the World Usability Day, AIGA, SustainbleUX, Liberty Wildlife, and Target HQ, Renaissance, Swiss Design Network, and more. Her work has been published in the Cooper Hewitt’s Summer 2019 Design Journal.

Resources mentioned

• Book "The Silent Spring" by Rachel Carlson
• Climate Designers Network
• Japanese High-Speed Shinkansen Train inspired by the Kingfisher bird

Connect with Michelle Fehler

• Website of Michelle Fehler
• Master of Science in Biomimicry at Arizona State University (Online Program)

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