A 5.3b Biomimetic Design Brief

The following is a hypothetical design brief drafted from a fictional toy company. The brief requests a design for a biomimetic, safe-to-use bug catching kit that allows kids ages 8-12 to capture, study, store, and release insects in a safe manner.

 


Biospsire Toys, LLC.
Biospire Insect Catcher Design Brief
July 2015

  • Project Description
    • The Biospire Insect Catcher is a bug catcher for kids that allows kids to take part in observing and participating nature without encouraging them to disrupt it.
    • It will help them capture, study, and release bugs safely and in a way that doesn’t harm the insects.
    • It may or may not have electrical components.
    • It should have a magnifying component so that kids can see the insects up close and personal.
    • It should come in a kit with accessories for different kinds of bugs or different kinds of situations.
    • The accessories should not be floating but should nest or attach to the main body of the insect catcher.
    • The insect catcher should be rugged enough to use and be left outside.
    • It should be easy to clean, and all components that could possibly contain an insect should be completely see-through so that supervising adults can be sure that the catcher is empty before storing it away.
  • The purpose of the design, what the design is intended to do
    • Help inspire future entomologists
    • Allow kids to study insects closely
    • Get kids outside
    • Keep kids (and insects) safe as they study insects
  • The aim or goals of the design (e.g. generate sales, modify behavior)
    • Allow kids to play with bugs in a way that doesn’t teach children to harm the environmen
    • Inspire the future leaders of entomology
    • Enable curious minds to study insects
    • Create the best, safest, best selling bug catcher on the market
    • Keep kids safe
    • Keep bugs safe
  • What do we want the design to DO?
    • Catch insects
      • In a way that is harmless to the insects
      • In a variety of circumstances
        • Inside
        • Outside
        • In the dark
        • From the ground
        • From the air
        • Off of leaves
        • Off the wall
        • In tight corners
        • In water?
    • Store insects for study
      • Secure
      • Harmless
    • Store different sizes of insects for study
    • Allow for magnification of study
    • Allow for easy release of insects
    • Hold multiple insects
    • Not break under duress
    • Keep water out
    • Viewing compartments maintain transparency
    • Clean easily
  • What functions will the Insect Catcher need to perform
    • Attach
      • Temporarily (compartments for insects)
    • Protect from biotic factors
      • Animals
      • Fungi
      • Microbes
    • Protect from abiotic factors
      • Light
      • Temperature
      • Excess Liquids
    • Prevent structural failure
      • Deformation
      • Melting (from being left outside)
    • Modify
      • Light/color (magnification)
      • Size/shape (different sized insects?)
    • Capture
      • Organisms
    • Store
      • Organisms
    • Expel
      • Organisms (releasing insects)
      • Solids/liquids (keeping insect catcher clean)
  • The target consumer, user, or audience for the design
    • Ages 8-12, boy or girl
    • Their parents
  • Any values or messages you want the design to communicate
    • Insects are crazy cool!
    • They were here first, and they’ll be here after we’re gone. Study them, enjoy them, but respect them and their homes.
    • Sometimes insects are cool to look at, but sometimes it’s better not to touch them
    • Anyone can study insects
  • The context or operating conditions within which your design will function
    • The design will need to be sturdy enough to survive the treatment of a 6-year old, and leaving it outside all night or all day.
    • It will also need to be able to contain live insects in a way that keeps the insects alive, but prevents them from escaping.
  •  
  • Examples of existing similar designs
    • Discovery Kids Outdoor Adventure Bug Collector
  • Weather Wiz Kids Bug Collector Kit
  • Chad Valley Insect Catcher Kit 
  •  Timeframe for completion
    • 5 weeks
  • Any constraints or non-negotiables
    • Can’t break easily
    •  Can’t kill or injure the insects
    • Can’t let insects escape on their own
    • Leaving the toy outside can’t compromise the design.
    • Doesn’t need to be waterproof, but getting it wet shouldn’t break it
    • Easy to clean out