Jonathan Woodham and Jyri Kermik
What was R.Buckminster Fuller's model of nature, and how did that model affect his design philosophy and practice of industrial design?
The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of nature in the design process of an industrial designer whose work is frequently described as “nature-inspired,” namely R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983). Although Fuller is not the only designer to share this distinction, an in-depth look at his design philosophy, process, and resultant works allows us to better understand how Fuller’s unique and personal model of nature informed his designs. It also allows us to investigate the social, technological, economic and cultural context of his work as well as its presentation and reception within the public sphere.