RSUSSH 2020

IN20-263 Random Pattern Generation Method Using Shape Grammar and Application to Clock Dial

Presenter: Keita Yamane
Kyoto Institute of Technology, JAPAN

Abstract

          Computational design has the advantage of being able to quickly test the possibility that humans will take a long time or not reach it. But dealing with many of them requires programming skills and is a tricky tool for many designers. So Stouffs and Li (2020) are developing a computational design tool that requires no programming skills. The shape grammar program is a tool that creates rules for visually replacing shapes and adapts them to the specified initial shape. This tool gives the user many design choices without any programming or other techniques. There are various ways to use it, but this time we will propose some versatile knowledge and specific application examples in a limited area.

In this research, we make use of the characteristics of the program, and propose a method of generating a random pattern using regular hexagonal Tessellation and a method of folding it. We will also introduce the dial and grille of the watch as a concrete example of the use of the pattern.

Keywords: Shape grammar; Computational design; Pattern

Citation format:

Yamane, K.. (2020). Random Pattern Generation Method Using Shape Grammar and Application to Clock Dial. Proceeding in RSU International Research Conference, May 1, 2020. Pathum Thani, Thailand.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Walaiporn Nakapan (Participant)

Hello Keita, thank you for your nice presentation. I have a question about the initial rule, that you scale down the hexagon tiles by 50%. So why is it 50%? And after you applied the next rules, do you have to scale the created patterns back to its original size?

Nakorn Paleethunyawong (Visitor)

It's a fascinating topic. I understand that the shape-grammar has been used with the design for quite a long time now. I would like to ask no questions about this study. But will ask for your opinion on how do you think about the saying that shape-grammar is a barrier to the imagination? Or it's just a product of technology. and the way of "initial shape" that must be fitted in a hexagon is a limitation or design advantage?

Keita Yamane (Presenter)

@ WALAIPORN NAKAPAN

Thank you for your interest.

>> I have a question about the initial rule, that you scale down the hexagon tiles by 50%. So why is it 50%? 
In fact, it doesn't have to be 50% scaled down, as adjacent shapes don't share edges. More specifically, if it is line symmetric and 6-fold point symmetric, it does not have to be a regular hexagon. (For example, it may be a regular hexagram.)

>>After you applied the next rules, do you have to scale the created patterns back to its original size?

Yes, it must be applied in the size of the original hexagonal regular tiling to connect the lines next to each other.

Keita Yamane (Presenter)

@NAKORN PALEETHUNYAWONG

 

Thank you for your questions.
I don't think shape grammar is a barrier to imagination. Rather, I think it's a tool that shows results we couldn't imagine. Or maybe it's the starting point for your imagination. Because shape grammar can be an opportunity to challenge computational design for designers who cannot handle programming. And you can make many patterns just by adjusting the rules. Sure, it's important to note that shape grammar and computational design are tools rather than goals. On the other hand, I think that there are ideas and designs that can come from these tools. Certainly the initial shape of the hexagon limits the directionality in which it can be folded, for example. But that limitation helps us to figure out how to use the pattern. For example, like this clock example.