Which term describes a solution to a problem in one field that is used to provide a new idea for a design problem in another?

• A. Act of insight
• B. Adaptation
• C. Analogy
• D. Architectural innovation

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is using a solution from one field to spark a new idea for a design problem in another through analogy. Analogy is a way of recognizing a similarity between two domains and applying the underlying principle from the familiar field to the unfamiliar design challenge, then adapting it to fit the new context. For example, studying the way a bird’s wing achieves lift can inspire the shape and materials of a model airplane wing, transferring knowledge across domains.

This isn’t just a moment of sudden insight within the same problem, which is why that option isn’t the best fit here. It also isn’t about modifying an existing solution to another context (adaptation) or about innovations within architecture (architectural innovation). The cross-domain borrowing described here is best captured by analogy.