A Multi-Level Approach to Biomimetic Design Education: Developing a Biomimetic Transfer Framework and Matrix for Design Analysis

This study presents and pilot-tests the Biomimetic Design Education Framework, a structured pedagogical model developed to systematize the translation of biological knowledge into furniture design within studio-based educational contexts. Positioned as a pilot implementation, the study introduces the Biomimetic Transfer Matrix as an accompanying analytical tool for assessing the depth of biological knowledge integration in student design work. It is based on 18 student projects developed during a furniture design course, assessed through qualitative content analysis. The projects were evaluated according to four types of biomimetic transfer: formal, structural, mechanical, and functional/behavioral. Results reveal that structural transfer was the most prevalent category (38.9%), followed by functional/behavioral transfer (33.3%), formal transfer (16.7%), and mechanical transfer (11.1%). This distribution indicates that structured pedagogical guidance can successfully direct students beyond surface-level morphological imitation toward deeper principle-based biological abstraction, while also identifying mechanical and system-based transfer as areas requiring targeted curricular development. On this basis, the study presents the Biomimetic Design Education Framework and introduces the Biomimetic Transfer Matrix as an analytical tool for examining different levels of biomimetic knowledge transfer in design. Results underline the importance of structured approaches to support deeper levels of biological abstraction in design education. The findings contribute to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by advancing evidence-based approaches to biomimetic design instruction.