Exploring Data-Driven Approaches to Pattern and Form Development in Design

This study examines the potential of data-driven design in pattern-making and form development. It shifts the focus from traditional cultural or aesthetic influences to data itself, using visualization techniques like violin plots, Sankey diagrams, and heat maps to inform design. Artificial intelligence is employed to analyze sketches and identify patterns without cognitive biases, offering a repeatable method for translating abstract data into tangible design elements. A case study involving a furniture design project demonstrates how data visualization can guide form development, creating a coffee table inspired by a bar graph that captures the essence of a Canadian cottage experience. The research contributes to broader initiatives in computationally driven craft and product design, aiming to refine methodologies for systematically translating data into physical forms.