Jewelry Automata

Our interest in the concept of Cellular Automata (CA), introduced in class, led us to explore real-world applications and products built on this algorithm. Among our findings, the 3D Printed Shoes by Francis Bitonti stood out. These shoes apply CA to create wearable art and visually captivating designs that reflect the convergence of technology, fashion, and art. The design process uses CA algorithms to simulate patterns resembling natural textures, which are then materialized through 3D printing.

This approach produces intricate, organic-looking structures that would be difficult to achieve through traditional manufacturing. It also embodies a futuristic vision in which fashion transcends conventional boundaries, highlighting the potential of CA to push the limits of design.

Building on what we learned in class about the Cellular Automata algorithm, we established a similar rule set in Grasshopper. However, because we wanted our project to be defined as a material and shape that can form organic connections between surfaces, our variable is driven by input — specifically, the surface shape the user needs.

The diagram below shows how that definition is initialized and assembled, from the input curve through to the final visualization.