A simulation rather than replication of natural form or function; forms are vaguely reminiscent of those naturally found but use nature as a model.
(e.g., Monet painting of flowers, fleur de lis ironwork, Gaudi's Sagrada Familia)

ABSTRACTION OF NATURE

Research

1. Representational forest image preferred by children ages 5-17 above abstract and impressionist art (Eisen, Ulrich, Shepley, Varni, & Sherman, 2008)

2. Kellert’s reference, historical examples (Feuerstein, 2002)

3. biomimicry used as design inspiration for design students (Tavsan & Sonmez, 2015)

4. Biomimetic process added to interior design process to solve problems (Rossin, 2010)

5. Colour in a pattern is principal component tying it to concept (Olguntürk & Demirkan, 2011)

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References

Eisen, S. L., Ulrich, R. S., Shepley, M. M., Varni, J. W., & Sherman, S. (2008). The stress-reducing effects of art in pediatric health care: art preferences of healthy children and hospitalized children. Journal of Child Health Care, 12(3), 173–190. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367493508092507

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Feuerstein, G. (2002). Biomorphic architecture: Human and animal forms in architecture. Stuttgart: Menges.

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Olguntürk, N., & Demirkan, H. (2011). Colour and design: From natural patterns to monochrome compositions. Optics & Laser Technology, 43(2), 270–281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2009.06.014

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Rossin, K. J. (2010). Biomimicry: Nature’s design process versus the designer’s process. 559–570. https://doi.org/10.2495/DN100501

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Tavsan, F., & Sonmez, E. (2015). Biomimicry in furniture design. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 197, 2285–2292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.07.255