Compound Analogical Design: Interaction between Problem Decomposition and Analogical Transfer in Biologically Inspired Design

Abstract

Biologically inspired design (BID) can be viewed as an example of analogical design from a cognitive standpoint. Existing models of analogical design cannot fully account for the generation of complex solutions in BID, especially those which contain compound solutions. In this paper we develop a conceptual framework of compound analogical design that explains the generation of compound solutions in design through opportunistic interaction of two related processes: analogy and problem decomposition. We also present our study of BID and apply this framework to analyze three sample designs that contained compound solutions.