Reading 1 – Conditional Design
In the Conditional Design Manifesto, designers and artists utilize a process that implements certain rules regarding time, relationship, change, and more. While they do focus on sets of parameters and a principle of planning, they seek unexpected outcomes with formations, subjective intentions, and various patterns. They emphasize that communication is key in the process of creating a design, especially while working with others, so that everyone has the same understanding and visions. There are specific rules correlating with logic, such as maintaining relationships in the design by implementing constraints, avoiding erraticness, and having reasons for disparities. The role of having a process is to impose a system that allows individuals to focus without straying away from the overall vision, to create a visually appealing and captivating image.
In my previous artworks, I vary between carefully planning out a design or starting with a random sketch and letting it stem from there. In comparison to the approaches mentioned in the manifesto, my process is not as constrained nor does it follow any specific rules. I tend to let my artwork flow randomly rather than follow specific patterns to create a conceptual piece. The result of my approach is typically an intricate artwork that contains various elements of shapes, sizes, and lines. The pieces are appealing as there is much detail to trail the eyes around. In the designs from both the manifesto and the paint machine, there is an explicit pattern, flow, and concept that is executed; every line and shape correlate and accentuate each other clearly.
Regarding the concept of conditional drawing, a short set of rules may contain: not touching the edges of the page, no repetition of same length strokes or shapes, no realistic depictions, no symmetry, use of overlapping lines, and use rule of thirds. These instructions may produce an interesting piece as the drawing will be scattered throughout the page, but will not be boring to look at.
In my imagination, the artwork would have the comparable strokes and shapes but vary in the lengths and sizes, which creates an emphasis on similarity, but also differences. Since symmetry is prohibited, there would be no reflections, meaning designs cannot be directly repeated, making the image more captivating to the eye. Realistic depictions are not allowed so the artwork will also have a sense of authenticity and uniqueness, which allows its viewers to decipher both the purpose and concept.