Project Overview
During the Conditional Design workshops, I got hands-on with how set rules and constraints can really shape creative results. Each group came up with a different activity that had its own special conditions, which influenced not just how things were drawn but also the final look of the artwork. Instead of just caring about how pretty things turned out, the exercises were all about behavior, decision-making, and seeing how people react to rules on the fly. Check out the next sections for a breakdown of the instructions and my key takeaways from each group's activity.
What is Conditional Design?
Conditional Design is all about focusing on systems, rules, and processes instead of just aiming for a specific visual result. Instead of crafting a final image right off the bat, designers set up conditions that shape the creative process. This way, the outcome takes shape through participation, repetition, and how people interact with it. It’s like sharing the creative spotlight, with everyone involved contributing to the result.
Group 1
Everyone grabbed a corner of the paper, mashed it up, and then smoothed it out again. With colored pens in hand, they traced along the folds. Each color had its own vibe—some drew wavy lines, others made straight lines that were always the same length, and a few added circles where the lines crossed.
Observations
From afar, the finished artwork looked like constellations or some kind of abstract typography. The creases added a natural, unpredictable vibe, while the color rules brought in a sense of order and purpose. This mix of chaos and control showed how a few simple guidelines can shape some pretty complex visuals.
Running Notes
Group 2
Everyone got paper cups and were told they could tear, crush, or mess them up however they wanted. They laid the pieces out on a big sheet of paper, with four whole cups marking the corners to set up a boundary. Then, they tossed a ball in there and tracked its path with continuous pen lines.
Observations
The activity demonstrated how movement can serve as a drawing tool. With the ball's unpredictable path and the changing positions of the crushed cups, the drawings became layered and lively. The finished pieces seemed more like diagrams capturing movement and interaction rather than just still pictures, focusing on the process instead of precision.
Running Notes
Group 3
Each person picked a color to represent themselves and took turns drawing a WiFi-inspired symbol. Every new symbol had to connect one to three lines to the one before it. They could also decide the direction, size, and length of their lines.
Observations
A lot of the results looked like maps or simple charts, showing how people worked together and made decisions in a very visual way. But some people thought the instructions were too tricky and had trouble remembering everything. This just shows how complicated rules can get in the way and make things less clear when you're trying to get everyone involved.
Running Notes
Group 4
Participants took turns drawing shapes, each one adding to or changing the one before it. They could tweak the shapes by turning, stretching, or changing them in some way. This went on for ten rounds.
Observations
At first, the activity felt chill and almost like meditation, but it got more competitive as everyone tried to outshine each other visually. Still, it stayed fun and interesting. The way things changed showed a cool transformation, kind of like playing a visual version of the telephone game, where little choices start to add up.
Running Notes
Reflection
I noticed that when the rules were kept simple, everyone got more into it, and the results were way more interesting. Clear and straightforward instructions meant people could dive right in and really interact and explore. But when things got too complicated, it just left everyone feeling confused and unsure.
These workshops really drove home the point that in Conditional Design, it’s not about the designer controlling the final look. Instead, it’s about setting up a system where things can unfold naturally through what people do, how they work together, and even through their little mistakes.