Form Follows Software (2003)
article⁄Form Follows Software (2003)
abstract⁄Software selection affects design outcome. Computer applications externalize in their graphical interface and in their internal logic a set of assumptions about how objects are constructed and space is represented. Accessibility of tools is in direct correlation with their rate of use. Depending on how userfriendly particular functions are, their use will appear with higher frequency than those foreign to the technological frames of the user groups for which software is designed. As each software is geared towards the needs of specific communities, it replicates in digital fashion those disciplinary practices already present in the analog world. However, modeling results are bracketed at its inception the very moment a particular 3D package is chosen from a diverse array of digital offerings. If the application adopted is designed to appeal to the computer animation industry, the modeling results will bear the imprint of those organic qualities buildings will appear characterlike. Since computer programs have builtin slant meant to aid disciplinary specific users, they yield families of designs with formal commonalities. Unquestionably, proficiency of software use also broadens inventiveness of design. Nevertheless some applications make particular transformations harder to achieve, and as a result will be likely to exclude those modeling options from architects’ imaginary world.
