Bronze Generative, Algorithmic, Parametric and AI-Assisted Design · 2020
Cava Light Installation
by Yingri Guan
- A' Design Award 2020 Bronze Winner in Generative, Algorithmic, Parametric and AI-Assisted Design
- Awarded April 15, 2020
- CLIENT: ARiceStudio
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 36,042
- Verification code 9DC6804520 · Verify this award
About Cava Light Installation
Through combining mathematical formulas, cave mineral structural formation angles, mineral composition data, a series of vector images were generated through computational design. Yingri Guan visualizes cave patterns through generative designs. She transforms these data into three-dimensional installations.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This project is generated using mathematical methods to visualize cave patterns and formation. Caves are formed by water going through rocks and deposit minerals through this process. This piece expresses this formation process while abstract the relationship between the patterns in the cave and also different rocks.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Width 228 mm x Depth 62 mm x Height 508 mm
- Tags
- generative, abstract, light, LED, cave, imagination, design, art, visualization
- Production Technology
- This Cava series is realized through, first generating a series of images and vectors based on the analytical processes of the cave formations. Then those shapes are etched onto acrylic glass using a laser cutter. The final process is to assemble together the etched acrylic glass, LED lights and the pedestals.
- Design Challenge
- During the process, the most challenging aspect was how to abstract naturally occurring visual patterns and formations into an abstract mathematical formula that can be implemented and substitute using different values to create different images.
- Project Duration
- This series of artwork spans across 6 months to complete and was created in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Operation Flow
- These lights could be installed in houses, interior spaces and so on. They can be installed singularly or in different numbers to accommodate what's the best spatially.
- Research
- The initial research was carried out through traveling to the mountains and seeing the physical caves myself. I was totally in awe of how these rocks were formed. Afterward, a few sessions of online reading and coding explorations were carried out. Once I have figured out the situation, then mathematical formula was applied to the different values to figure out the actual cave objects.
- Inspiration
- This piece is inspired by the cave formations and different patterns in the caves. The cave generation is a long and iterative process. It's completely organic.
- Image Credits
- Yingri Guan, 2019
- Patents
- IP pending
Colors of Cava Light Installation
Design Interview about Cava Light Installation
The series of designs is mainly inspired by cave patterns and formations.
The main focus in designing this work is to explore. I want to explore different ways of data visualization. The other part is to explore materials. How material combinations in different formats can generate different effects to create physical visualizations.
The future plan for this award-winning design is to explore further on subjects with the same property to cave formations.
The concept took about a month on and off in total. The production of this format of physical visualization is a method I have always used for my works. The main work lies in the research of the inspiration, design functions to achieve the goal of presenting reality to my audience.
This was a pursuit of inspiration. I love how laser-cut acrylic glass could create a really interesting and stunning installation in combination with LED lights.
Right now this work is mainly produced by myself. It is in my plan to sell this work if opportunity prevails.
Experimentation and also the curiosity of materials inspired me to create this type of work. I have had the chance of learning about interactive art with computer coding.
Yes, many designers are my inspirations for these designs. I constantly look for inspirations online or at galleries. People that I come to close contact with like my fellow classmates from grad school, advisors, friends are all my inspirations.
The target customers are people who are into innovative ideas as this work combines art, design, technology, and science to form mixed-media installations. They are also enthusiastic collectors who might or might not have a particular interest in light installed pieces.
This design is different from other similar concepts as this is combining information, creating visualization and generate a physical visualization in the final form.
The name means cave in Greek. The form really resembles the cave installations I have visited that inspired this design concept.
The design tools that I used are processing, adobe creative suite, laser cutter etc.
The most unique aspect of my design is that they are products of the combination of technology and science which would seem cold and futuristic. The end product aims to feel organic and give this close association to human beings.
There were some advice from my boyfriend who I constantly discuss designs and show my work to get feedback. I do consult with technical staff at maker space where I would use laser cutter machines to produce these works.
Technology serves as a guide and tool to produce this particular design. For the development of the design concept. Technology in combination with design and art generates the design patterns that later being used on laser cutters to produce the final output.
Yes. I have researched on the formation and process of limestone caves. Checking out information in regards to the different cave formation.
Some challenges I faced would be to figure out an algorithm that would represent the cave patterns and yet having organic forms.
I saw the call for art in my email feed and thought to myself I'd submit to this international design competition to see what would happen.
I have learned more about physical visualizations. I always love works involving physical visualization to present reality from a new perspective.
I'd love to hear any feedback from you. Feel free to share with me your thoughts about design, my work or things in general at yingriguan@gmail.com.