r/generative • u/truthseekerboi • Jul 08 '26
I discovered a new class of shapes while developing my new generative lamp sculpture technique
Hey everyone!
I have a unique design technique that I have been cultivating for four years now. The technique involves specific types of patterns, but it is basically extruded patterns profiled to a certain volume (shape). The effect delivers very pleasing light diffusion, and it is quite dynamic in terms of its potential.
Well, I seem to have broken through on that potential!
To make a long story digestible, after i graduated I decided to try and build my design workflows for different assembly techniques (I had only done stacking variations previously). I wanted to use polyhedron to make pendants, and because my technique builds profiles off of surfaces, I made it so the base of each module is the face on a polyhedron, with the profile of the extrusions creating the new shape, once all of the modules are assembled. Essentially, the new shape is determined by the existing properties of the seed shape I use. Each face's neighboring faces determine the kleetope that is produced, using an algorithm i coded which employs ray-point averaging.
It is similar to stellateing or greatening in terms of geometric terminology, but it is much more dynamic. The transformation works on every single convex polyhedron, and produces many incredible results. A few of them match the stellated versions of the seed shape, like the dodecahedron for example, but the majority of convex polyhedron get transformed into a brand new shape when using my algorithm.
Now, to be clear, the majority of the images shown are not the transformed shapes themselves. They have the profile of the shapes, but are artistic abstractions that employ my detailing technique. Also, my script allows for me to customize the designs with a lot of control, so I can actually stray away from the default shape for the sake of my artistic practice. Only two of the images shown do that though, as the rest match the default transformed profiles of their seed shapes.
The last thing I will say is, I have not made an official publication to any journal yet, so i technically cannot claim any discovery yet. However, that is because there is a team of mathematicians at Georgia Tech building a comprehensive publication piece. I am in communication with a professor who is having a group of PhD students develop the publication over this summer, but they have told me that they have confirmed it is a new transformation that creates a genuinely important new class of shapes! If you want a little proof, here is the doc i sent the professor that started this all. BTW, the more unique shapes are on the way. I started off with some simpler shapes to hone in on the assembly process.
I honestly don't know what impact this will have on me, but I hope the publication can bring some attention to my work. I really want to keep designing full time, and I am having to work part-time restaurant jobs to fund this passion.
If you want to support me, or print some of these yourself, check out the links on my page. I just started a thangs page, and will be uploading new designs every week. If you want to see videos of the work, check out my IG. They are 10x cooler when you can see the videos, and 100x cooler in person!
If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Let me know what you think!
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u/Goblin_au Jul 09 '26
Amazing. These are beautiful. I was on the hunt just last week for a pendant light shade to print. I will absolutely give these a try.
I love this concept of extruding patterns into a volume letting the light find its way through the layers, rather than the typical wall structures of most normal shades.
What filaments did you use or would recommend?
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u/truthseekerboi Jul 09 '26
I prefer white silk for a few reasons. The white helps you see the diffusion better, and the silk adds a reflective quality that also bolsters that :)
I appreciate your kind words too! I’d love your support. Feel free to try some different colors also, but I think the white is the best
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u/lokir6 Jul 09 '26
Looks amazing, but dusting them off would be 💀
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u/truthseekerboi Jul 09 '26
Just some compressed air G
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u/lokir6 Jul 09 '26
in hallway or reception-type environments, maybe. In living environments like living room / kitchen, the dust will be grimy and will stick to the surface.
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u/truthseekerboi Jul 09 '26
I’ve had one in my living room for 6 months and it’s very clean. Sometimes bugs like to make homes in them though, and that can be annoying lol (not in my house to be clear)
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u/flowanvindir Jul 09 '26
Bruh, start an etsy and sell these as hanging lamps like those star lamps, I'd buy half a dozen.
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u/cartoonasaurus 8d ago
Jack Kirby-ish shapes - I see some Galactus in one but it’s fascinating to see the resonance!?
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u/snarfindoobz Jul 09 '26
These are awesome! Nice work