Three bio-inspired optimization schemes, integrated into a robust frequency domain 2-D finite-element code, have been assessed by the design of two novel nonintuitive photonic crystal-type devices: an unbalanced power splitter and a micro-to-nano waveguide coupler. The bio-inspired schemes were taken from three biological-based classes of algorithms: genetic algorithm, evolution strategy, and artificial immune system. The results show that such schemes constitute valuable and powerful tools for the design of advanced and sophisticated photonic devices, where pixels concept was changed by photonic crytals structures to enable their future fabrication. © 2006 IEEE.