20th October 2015
I had to explain what parametric design is to someone. First I tried giving google’s answer
“Parametric design is a process based on algorithmic thinking that enables the expression of parameters and rules that, together, define, encode and clarify the relationship between design intent and design response.”
He then asked me to explain in plain English. This was my response
“In stead of drawing lines (like normal people), I give the computer a set of commands and click play and cross fingers. When it doesn’t work I proceed to shouting at my computer, threatening it will fly out the window soon. If, by fortunate circumstances, it does work, I proceed to smile, humbly, infront of my computer, and then give it new commands to process…”
I also needed to explain 3D printing to my Dad. My best analogy is:
“imagine a tube of toothpaste, constantly squirting out toothpaste – this is called the “extruder”. Your arm moves the toothpaste in a certain path, layering one line of toothpaste over the other – your arm is the robot. Together this is 3D printing.”