01 Feb 2018
16:00
Salón de grados, Departamental II
Computational Design in the Age of Digital Fabrication
Ponente: Bernhard Thomaszewski, University of Montreal. Abstract: One of the most exciting promises of digital fabrication is the immediate and effortless transition from an idea to its tangible realization. But in order to leverage this technology to its full potential, we need software tools that tear down barriers to creativity by automating the technically difficult parts of the design process. In this talk, I will argue for a new generation of design tools that rely on three key components: simulation models that are able to predict the functional aspects of a given design; optimization algorithms that can invert the simulation model in order to determine design parameters that lead to desired functional aspects; and graphical interfaces that integrate these two components to help users navigate the design space in an intuitive and efficient way. I will highlight a number of challenges that arise in this context and illustrate some key concepts on several examples, including mechanical characters, robotic creatures, and physical surfaces.