Bio-informed design in practice: Are current processes aligning with the needs from practice?

Bio-informed design processes have steadily advanced, yet research on effective processes for industrial methods remains limited. Practitioners report a disconnect between industry needs and the current processes available. They are motivated to develop their own bio-informed design processes primarily due to the need for flexibility and integration with existing workflows. Industry professionals value tools and processes that can be adapted to their specific project requirements, personal skillsets, and company expectations. Standardized or rigid processes are often difficult to implement in diverse industrial contexts, prompting practitioners to customize or combine multiple tools to better fit their needs. This study explores the motivations of practitioners for adopting bio-informed design and examines their practical approaches to implementing these processes. Through semi-structured interviews with professionals actively engaged in bio-informed design, the research reveals that practitioners often develop individualized methods due to the lack of standardized processes that adequately address real-world requirements. Motivated by the need for flexibility, relevance, and alignment with industry demands, practitioners tailor their workflows to better integrate bio-informed principles into their practice. Intrinsic motivation also plays a significant role; practitioners are often driven by a strong interest in sustainability and a desire for creative freedom. The ability to exercise control and autonomy in the design process fosters creativity and encourages practitioners to tailor their own methodologies. The findings highlight the practical adaptations made by practitioners and underscore the importance of developing processes that reflect the complexities and needs of professional bio-informed design. Finally, collaboration across disciplines, such as between biologists and engineers, further motivates the development of individualized processes to bridge gaps in goals, timelines, and communication styles. The study, therefore, proposes further alignment between research in the field of bio-informed design as well as current ongoing practice.