defined_not.
Defined_not is a definition of furniture, which does not determine its final shape, an interactive algorithm generating in real-time unique, unpredictable, customized chairs.
It was inspired by optimization in nature and the intrinsic beauty of genuinely functional natural structures. The core of the project is generative algorithm Space Colonization, which in real-time builds an optimized tree-like structure from a set of starting points on the ground to the previously generated seat surface.
Fleeting fashions in design contribute to the problem of waste, which can be reduced by prolonging the life span of products. Generation of unique personalized pieces with the use of parametric tools and the ability to choose a favourite sitting position were introduced to increase the sentimental value of defined_not chairs for the customer.
Defined_not aims for the democratization of the design process, expression of customers' creativity and creation of deeper emotional connections with products. This is achieved with the help of an interactive application allowing users to influence the result.
The laws of nature can be applied in design with the use of Generative Algorithms. Iteration of relatively simple rules, or lines of code, leads to the generation of unique in detail, yet optimized structures. This, in turn, gives the designer an opportunity to truly personalize each design solution.
Prolonging the life span of products is one of the ways to slow down the rate of waste production. Personalized one-off items show to be valued more due to their uniqueness and tailored to particular customer functionality and aesthetics. Another way is to build an emotional connection between the user and the object through user involvement in the design process. Both of those approaches were utilized to increase the longevity of defined_not chairs.
Defined_not chairs could not be designed in the traditional way. The project required a high level of automatization.
Industrial design and mass production have to use averaged body dimensions, it would be impossible to arrange a production line for every possible variation of body shapes. Digital manufacturing and parametric design tools, on the other hand, allow for an automatic adjustment of the chair dimensions to fit a particular human and for production of one-off pieces. At this stage of the project development, the adjustment of body dimensions is handled by simple scaling depending on the person’s height.
To expand the number of possible use scenarios in defined_not algorithm, I introduced a possibility for the customer to choose one of the sitting poses from a list of options. Moreover, in reality, people rarely adopt the standard sitting pose, preferring their favourite ones. Motion Capture technology and surface fitting were used to register such positions and generate suitable seat surfaces.
Defined_not is presented to the user as an interactive application. The interactive interface allows users to modify and influence the result by deleting or adding non-essential parts of the seat surface, changing the density of branches and the level of detail, adding colour. The interactive part is realised through colour recognition on live web camera images.
Author.
Diana Taukin.
University of the Arts Poznan (UAP), Poland, 2019.
III Furniture Design Studio
coordinator: dr Mateusz Wróblewski
assistant: mgr Mateusz Słociński
Transdisciplinary Art and Research Studio
coordinator: dr hab. Joanna Hoffmann
assistant: mgr Piotr SÅ‚omczewski
Exhibitions.
39. edycja Konkursu im. Marii Dokowicz
Międzynarodowe Targi Poznańskie, Pawilon 10
18.11 - 24.11.2019
Ryzosfera. Wielka sieć maÅ‚ych Å›wiatów.
Biblioteka Wydziału Biologii UAM
2.10 - 31.10.2019