The Conditional Design team created a manifesto that aims to alter their designers’ ways of working to correspond with the change in this technologically driven society (see fig. 3). With such specific purpose in mind, Conditional Design makes it appropriate for designers to embrace the change in environment due to the way its methodologies are developed. Their methodology consists of three main principles; process, logic and input. First and foremost, logic, it comes from the conditional designer using algorithmic thinking approach, only methods of “philosophers, engineers, inventors and mystics” (Maurer et al.).

They believe that conditions formulated with clarity and precision around an idea is necessary (Maurer et al.). In this way, the conditional designer is able to minimise possible issues that might surface during the process as well as to further guide the process.

Unlike design thinking which is outcome based, Conditional Design focused on the process itself (Stoduy and Maurer). Studio Moniker is an interactive design studio currently run by Luna Maurer and Roel Wouters which often practices Conditional Design approach commercially. In one of Studio Moniker’s projects called Fungus Series requires the participants to connect their given stickers onto another by its ends. This clearly shows that through a designed framework, it is nowhere near rigidity as the input is the participants themselves (see fig. 4) which would result in arbitrary outcomes (Boddington). This challenges participants to expand their creativity (see fig. 5) to think within the box, in which are written conditions. With this in mind, it shows how Conditional Design can introduce algorithmic thinking in a creative way that could help better understand digital literacy for design students who are interested. This activity encourages participants to think creatively while involving them in the making process as co-authors, this makes it clear that it is suitable for designers allowing them to see the relevance of learning computational thinking through condition design.

1928—2007

Known for:
Conceptual Art: Instructional Art

American-based conceptual artist Sol LeWitt is known for his instructional art (and design) practices. His drawings often use basic geometric shapes, lines and colours.

In ‘Sentences on Conceptual Art (1969)’, LeWitt wrote how an artist should not have a preconceived idea of how his art is going to turn out until its completion. Moreover, others may perceive given instructions differently; this subjectivity is not any better or worse from the artist itself.

LeWitt’s idea is his art. His drawings were executed by other draftsmen or artists who followed his instructions. This is made possible due to the precise logical instructions crafted by LeWitt himself.

Instructional means strictly working with the specific given instructions. For LeWitt, his method stimulates a rather mechanical process with no space for any iterations. Whereas, conditional means working around within the parameters of the given framework. Though there is little room for expression, the framework ensures sufficient room for surprising outcomes.

1930-2017

Known for:
Swiss typography, graphic design and design systems

Karl Gerstner is a Swiss designer known for his systematic approach towards design solutions. Instead of designing for solutions, Gerstner developed a system for solutions (Gerstner et al. 9).

Gerstner claims that there is no definite solution to problems as there will always be certain solutions best suited within each particular condition.

Furthermore, creative decisions are not to be made based on mere feelings but by intellectual conditions. In this sense, it is an automation of designing through the creative process of selections and combinations.

Through applying these methods in the process, the designed solution is no longer appropriate to a particular solution but also the solutions to other forthcoming problems. This process allows the discovery for potential solutions will not be compromised (Gerstner et al. 9).