The functional aesthetic of folding

Folds are everywhere throughout nature, in our DNA, in leaves, in insect wings, in the mountain forming forces of tektonic plates. We see folds in art as ancient as origami, and in design as packaging, lighting designs and surface aesthetics. Contemporary architects and designers have embraced the organic form of the fold, leveraging the complexity of computational and algorithmic design alongside the affordability of automated and programmable engineering processes and the efficiency of transforming flat sheets into three dimensions using only cuts and bends. In the fields of tangible interactions, we see artists, designers and researchers experimenting and developing new aesthetics, functions, and forms of interactions. They are inspired by the simple but elegant beauty of folded geometry, and interaction possibilities latent within the hinged surfaces of folds. Combined with new materials and technologies, this research area opens up the possibility to free the screen and sensor interfaces from the tyranny of the Euclidean plane of monitors, tablets and flat devices.

Artworks such as Oribotics have been focused on flexible, foldable, shape programmed interfaces with mathematically defined geometries through an evolving series of robotic sculptures. The term oribot, literally meaning ori=fold, bot=robot, was originally inspired by the idea to bring an animation out of the flatness of the screen and into reality; to make programmable folded sculpture combined with motion graphics. This keynote addresses specific knowhow and the broader topics within the practice-based-research of Oribotics. Such as: producing kinetic folded membranes with longevity, resistance to corruption and low actuation force; applied techno-origami; biomimetics for design solutions; analysis of interaction metaphors; and horizon edge technologies, materials and ideas for future developments. The future will unfold.