This work explores the representation of biological phenomena as stimuli to designers for biomimetic design. We describe a study where participants were asked to solve a micro-assembly problem given a set of biological representations of leaf abscission for inspiration. The visual aids presented to the designers are investigated, and the use of functional models of biological phenomena in particular is critiqued. The designs resulting from the study are classified and theories drawn as to

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... le influences of the biological representations. Observations, retrospective conversations with participants, and analogical reasoning classifications are used to determine positive qualities as well as areas for improvement in representation of the biological domain. Findings suggest that designers need an explicit list of all possible inherent biological strategies, previously extracted using function structures with objective graph grammar rules. Challenges specific to this type of study are discussed, and possible improvement of representative aids are outlined. Functional model representation Explicit strategy representation may still take the form of text descriptions and images, and the manner in which these are presented will affect the designer's understanding of them. The use of applied psychology techniques and practices would add great significance to this type of study and we predict will become quite essential to the research. Human information processing models may add clarity to the challenges to target when developing new representational and functional models. SUMMARY This small-scale exploration, using observation through thinkaloud experiments, as well as direct interviews, has led to suggestions on how to approach functional modeling of biological phenomena. By classifying the designs of 7 participants, and by noting the frequency of common challenges and suggestions, it became clear that both understanding the biological phenomenon and performing the extraction task were very difficult. The function structure diagram seemed to help somewhat in the extraction of correct strategies, however they were still perceived as cumbersome to the participants. It is suggested that function structures be used for objective, systematic extraction of strategies, though not by the designers themselves. Another kind of functional model that can explicitly present these strategies to designers is desirable. The design process studied involves 3 components: understanding, extraction, and application. We recommend that the extraction task be performed by a third party, through systematic means, and not performed by the designer, particularly novices to biomimetic design.