Generative Digital Design

 

Graphic design and technology have been intertwined for decades and continues to be an exciting field to explore and push expectations outward. Generative design, or “algorithmic image creation” is a process of using computer code to drive creative development and create complex visuals that are generated by programming. However, as with any technology, it is best when used as a creative tool.

Generative Digital Design is a combined process of using computer code, visual design, mathematics, and a healthy amount of controlled chaos.

All attributes of a particular element can be considered a variable that can be specific or randomized including size, shape, color, transparency, position, and rotation. A word of caution, this can get out of hand very quickly, so it helps to begin conceptually with an end in mind while making good design decisions along the way.

This process can be used to create complex visuals, patterns and designs that would be extremely time consuming to develop using Adobe Illustrator or similar applications. Variations can be generated quickly, and experimentation is as simple as changing a few parameters.

 
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When randomness is introduced, every time the code is run, a new variation of the original design is produced. By changing a few parameters an evolution of a particular design can be created as a custom graphic to match a client’s brand, interior space, or personal style.

A practical benefit to this technique is that after spending hours developing a visually complex design, which would be difficult to produce “by hand”, a completely original layout can be created by running the code again, saving hours on having to create a duplicate variation.

There’s a direct correlation between the results of generative design and many visual themes that have been explored by traditional artists in the modern era such as: the visual chaos of Jackson Pollock; the expressive shapes and dimensionality of Frank Stella; the whimsical randomness of Wassily Kandinsky; the visual movement of Vincent van Gogh; and even the reductionist order of Piet Mondrian.

 
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Additional inspiration can also be found in the patterns and mathematical order found in the seemingly chaotic randomness of the natural environment.


JZ Design Group is capable of multidisciplinary design and architecture, with a team ready to take on any challenge. We bring quality, care and extensive experience to each project and look forward to our future opportunities.

 

Blog post written by:

The JZ Design Team

 



Posted: January 4, 2022