"Vortexes"

Digital print, 36” x 14”, 2008.

This artwork demonstrates that design is a self-replicating atomic process. It is composed entirely of one single very basic ‘atom’ or ‘molecule’, thus a very basic rectilinear figure -- nothing else. Applying some fundamental point transformations of the plane, I transformed the given figure into another which is related to it in a definite way. I applied the full symmetries or reflections in (about) fixed point of the group to form complex patterns by their interactions. In this design the character of every part of the design is concentrated to a point, which is the center of the vortexes.

"Waves"

Digital print, 33” x 33”,2008.




From single very basic elements to very complex designs, growing in size and complexity, masses of same figures dance a pattern ever more intricate... As Richard Feynman stated “Little particles that move around in perpetual motion, attracting each other when they are a little distance apart, but repelling upon being squeezed into one another”. Extension, figure and motion are the only properties in design, which can be directly represented geometrically. This design is composed entirely of one single very basic rectilinear figure -- nothing else. Applying some perpetual fundamental point transformations of the plane, I transformed the given simple figure into this complex design.

"Boosts"

Digital print, 16” x 10”, 2008.

Line vs. surface; even applying the same transformation rules and process, it is so difficult to recognize at the end that they are the same forms. This design depicts the different stages of the transformation process. It is composed entirely of one single very basic geometric unit, a basic closed surface -- nothing else. I applied some perpetual fundamental point transformations of the plane, and transformed the given simple figure into these two phases of the transformation. I hope these repeated figures are appreciated for their geometric structure as well as their aesthetic value.

"Stars"

Digital print, 16” x 10”, 2008.




This artwork demonstrates that design is a ‘self-replicating’ process, and extension, figure and motion are the only properties in design, which can be directly represented geometrically. Again this design is composed entirely of one single very basic rectilinear geometric figure -- nothing else. Applying some perpetual fundamental point transformations of the plane, and changing the axis of the reflection, I transformed the given simple figure into these complex star motifs.

Fatma Mete, Associate Professor of Apparel Design
Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University Ithaca, NY

"I see design process as an iterative ‘change’ process or a ‘self-assembly’ of design variables and concepts. Starting from a source of inspiration, (or a first idea or a first ‘atom’ or a ‘molecule’, or whatever you wish to call it), designers apply systematic and continuous transformations of the medium, variables and design concepts. The reason I create mathematical art is that I try to understand the design process, creativity and complexity in various design domains, but specifically applied to textile and apparel design. In order to gain a quantitative and mechanistic understanding of design process and ‘designerly ways of thinking’, I believe design researchers have to design and be designer as well."