Even under a microscope, Nature’s lessons in design range from simple structures to complex patterns. German (Prussian) zoologist Ernst Haeckel’s Art Forms in Nature was originally published around the turn of the 19th century and influenced practitioners of Art Nouveau such as René Binet and Louis Comfort Tiffany. Haeckel’s artistic rendering of the “structural peculiarities” of organisms emphasized the ornamental aspects of natural forms. Browsing through Art Forms in Nature provides me with all manner of design ideas for garments, interior decorating, character sketches and sci-fi landscapes or architecture.

“Discomedusae” from Ernst Haeckel. Art Forms in Nature Prestel Publishing, 2004

René Binet’s jewelry, interior design and architecture were directly influenced by Haeckel:

entrance to the Paris World Exposition in 1900 by René Binet, based on Haeckel’s drawing of a radiolarian. From Ernst Haeckel. Art Forms in Nature Prestel Publishing, 2004

René Binet’s designs for electric lighting, Paris.

A chandelier designed by Constant Roux hanging in the Oceanographic Museum, Monaco was also modeled from a Haeckel drawing:

“Discomedusae”, detail. From Ernst Haeckel. Art Forms in Nature Prestel Publishing, 2004

the Oceanographic Museum chandelier from From Ernst Haeckel. Art Forms in Nature Prestel Publishing, 2004

Apart from the purely aesthetic, Haeckel’s illustrations of microscopic organisms included practical structures that can be seen in modern architecture, such as Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes. Fuller himself was a true believer in Nature’s elegant efficiency and based many of his designs on observations of the natural world.

“Phaeodaria”, detail. From Ernst Haeckel. Art Forms in Nature Prestel Publishing, 2004

Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome, centerpiece of the U.S. Pavilion at Expo 67 in Montréal

What could be mistaken for a helmet:

“Cyrtoidea”, detail. From Ernst Haeckel. Art Forms in Nature Prestel Publishing, 2004

The following are reminiscent of David Lynch’s interpretation of Guild Navigators from Dune:

“Cubomedusae”, detail. From Ernst Haeckel. Art Forms in Nature Prestel Publishing, 2004

“Cubomedusae”, detail. From Ernst Haeckel. Art Forms in Nature Prestel Publishing, 2004

Taking cues from organic forms results in some of the more beautiful and innovative design concepts. For example, Tomomi Arata’s jewelry seems to be grown in and harvested from the ocean:

Tomomi Arata “treasures from under the sea” www.deuxpoissons.com

Tomomi Arata “pearl ring” www.deuxpoissons.com

Tomomi Arata “garnet sands ring” www.deuxpoissons.com

Tomomi Arata “can ring with coral” www.deuxpoissons.com

Tomomi Arata ring www.fvandenbosch.nl

Tomomi Arata “stamping can ring” www.deuxpoissons.com

Tomomi Arata brooch, 2004 www.marzee.nl