Living Typography: Robotically Printing a Living Typeface

Brendan Alexander Harmon, Hye Yeon Nam, Hunter Gilbert, Nasrin Iravani

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Artists and designers have been exploring how robotics can be used to interact with our environment in new ways. Robots connect computational design processes with the physical environment, making digital interaction with nature possible. We present a robotic process for planting that enables the computational design of landscapes. We demonstrate how robotic planting can be used for generative art and design by creating a living typeface grown from seed. The robot draws a message by 3-dimensionally (3D) printing a blend of planting media and seeds. When the seeds germinate, the glyphs emerge from their substrate in a flush of green. The letterforms become dynamic living organisms. Artistic agency shifts from the artist to nature.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationCHI 2022 - Extended Abstracts of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
ISBN (Electronic)9781450391566
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 27 2022
Externally publishedYes
Event2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2022 - Virtual, Online, United States
Duration: Apr 30 2022May 5 2022

Publication series

NameConference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings

Conference

Conference2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityVirtual, Online
Period4/30/225/5/22

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Software
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design

Keywords

  • digital craft
  • nature
  • robotics
  • typography

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