Conditional Design, is a design method created by a group of graphic designs called Luna Maurer, Jonathan Puckey, Roel Wouters and the artist Edo Paulus. The basis of this design method is focusing on the process over a finalized product, with rules of play being set up to regulate that process yet always ending in an unpredictable result.




"Process

The process is the product.

The most important aspects of a process are time, relationship and change.

The process produces formations rather than forms.

We search for unexpected but correlative, emergent patterns.

Even though a process has the appearance of objectivity, we realize the fact that it stems from subjective intentions.








Logic

Logic is our tool.

Logic is our method for accentuating the ungraspable.
A clear and logical setting emphasizes that which does not seem to fit within it.

We use logic to design the conditions through which the process can take place.

Design conditions using intelligible rules.

Avoid arbitrary randomness.
Difference should have a reason.

Use rules as constraints.
Constraints sharpen the perspective on the process and stimulate play within the limitations.



Input

The input is our material.

Input engages logic and activates and influences the process.

Input should come from our external and complex environment: nature, society and its human interactions."


- Luna Maurer, Edo Paulus, Jonathan Puckey, Roel Wouters

Within our workshop, it was focused around the “Conditional Design Workbook”, which provided insight into the design method through light hearted activities that involve around 4 people for most, working in a form of “collaboration”.

The Perfect Circle

Each participant uses a colored marker to draw a perfect circle which is larger than the previous one done by one of the others in the group. Each person is to only take 60 seconds to draw the circle and you’ve completed the task once the page is almost fully filled.

The Beach

This exercise was focused around the group drawing a dot anywhere on the page with their coloured marker. One player takes a turn then has to wait for everyone to place their dot before participating once again. As a group, you have to fill every gap with only 5 minutes to completely cover the page.

Hatching

The third assignment was focused around every participant having an angle to draw a triangle on the page, with their set marker pen colour. For example, one will have to draw triangle at a 0° to 45° angle, with the others having to stick to there’s. The outcome then results in an unpredictable design piece made up of a multiple of hatched angled triangles.

Flux Fold.

For the final assignment in the workshop, we worked on the “Flux Fold” from the workshop book. This particular exercise has some strict rules yet at other points, there’s opportunity of choice. The entire activity is based around folding and placing a dot down, and it’s all done in clockwise turns. The opportunity of choice is in where you decide to place your dot, and throughout this process it’s also focused around interaction between all participants.

Cellular Relationships

To further investigate into the potentials of conditional design, 4 of us within our class decided to do a separate activity. The Cellular Relationships exercise is inspired by growth, natural behaviour and organic materials. The first user has to draw a circle, with the other 3 participants following. One main rule of play is that the circles have to cross over, and when they do, the cross over is rubbed out and replaced with a line to reconnect them. After the three circles have been drawn, the fourth person has to draw a circle inside the circle. In relation, this activity has a set of systematic rules yet the outcome is always unpredictable. It involves collaboration with the other participants to assure the rules are followed.