Jacobs, J. "Algorithmic Craft: the Synthesis of Computational Design, Digital Fabrication, and Hand Craft"
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Jacobs, J. "Algorithmic Craft: the Synthesis of Computational Design, Digital Fabrication, and Hand Craft"
The use of programing is currently limited as a medium for art and design for young people and amateur programmers. Many potential users view programing as a highly specialized, difficult and inaccessible skill that is only relevant for career paths in science, engineering, or business fields. Despite this perception, programing can serve as a creative tool and enables unique forms of personal expression in the medium of computation. Visual and physical art, craft, and design are interrelated domains that offer exciting possibilities when extended by computation. By forging strong connections between the skill of programming and the construction of personally relevant physical objects, it may be possible to foster meaningful creative experiences in computation and making for non-professionals. The term algorithmic craft describes the combination of computational design, digital fabrication, and craft to create functional artifacts. This thesis describes my work in developing a set of software tools that attempt to make the practice of algorithmic craft accessible for novice programers. Through it, I describe the design of each tool and discuss my experiences in engaging people in the creation of objects that are imagined by the mind, designed with programming, formed by machines, and shaped by hand.