SammieKim-LookingOutwards-02

“Nervous System” is a generative design studio that combines scientific research, computer graphics, digital fabrication to create unique products and artworks. Gaining inspiration from diverse biological systems, Nervous System adapts and translates these natural processes into algorithms, which are encoded and generated by the computer. The “Data Driven Midsoles” was a collaborative project with New Balance for functional 3D printed midsoles for running shoes. What I admire about this project is how the design flexibly adapts to the runner’s performance, where the data is recorded through a grid of sensors underfoot. For this, they had a myriad of concepts and prototypes that they experimented with. One idea was utilizing foam structures from nature (such as wood and bone), in which the low density and highly porous qualities of the cells brought forth a strong and lightweight material. Its flexibility would allow the foams to geometrically adapt to different forces depending on the runner. I think it was clever for the artist to constantly search for systems that are present in our environment, and then logically apply them into usable products for daily life.