Curiosity Blocks 數碼藝術 by Yuko Suzuki is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 銀獎 in 生成式設計 Competition Category.

銀生成式· 2025

Curiosity Blocks 數碼藝術

by Yuko Suzuki

Client: NTT InterCommunication Center (ICC)

A' Design Award 銀獎 Winner in 生成式 Category

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Colors

The Design

About Curiosity Blocks 數碼藝術

此作品為一個旨在向兒童介紹編程樂趣的展覽而創作。作品運用了一種稱為變形畫的技術來製作動畫,即預先將影像扭曲,當反射於圓柱形鏡子中時便會呈現正確的影像;本質上是一個動態變形畫。多個動畫部分結合在一起,代表當好奇心相互連結與重疊時,新的發現便會由此誕生。藝術家本身亦是一位版畫家,將版木與印刷品之間的關係疊加於顯示器上的影像與鏡中影像之間的關係之上。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銀獎

Curiosity Blocks 數碼藝術是 A' Design Award 銀獎得主，這是授予頂級、華美而令人印象深刻的設計的極為崇高的認可。銀獎得主是極其卓越、極具創造力的作品，展現出其設計師傑出的專業技能、才華與敏銳。預計Curiosity Blocks 數碼藝術將成為一件出色的典範之作，兼具非凡的專業性與深刻的創新性。這件贏得 A' Design Award 銀獎的設計是一項備受矚目、令人欽佩的發明，造福並拓展藝術、科學、設計和技術的界限。Curiosity Blocks 數碼藝術是一件令人羨慕的創作，它喚起渴望，帶來積極的情感，並激發驚嘆與讚嘆。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: This work is an animation that uses a technique called anamorphosis, in which images are drawn that are distorted in advance so that they will look correct when reflected in a cylindrical mirror.
The artist used a technique of combining multiple animation parts to imagine how curiosity connects and overlaps to create new knowledge and discoveries.
Dimensions & Packaging: 1920 × 1920 pixel, 5 minutes 42 seconds, 2 pieces
Tags: Generative Art, Coding, Trick Art
Production Technology: This work was created using a programming language called Processing. The animation is designed with a structure that combines multiple parts like blocks, and has a layered structure for each color like a print. 16 different animation parts and their variations were created, and the program transformed them from a flat surface to a circular shape.
Design Challenge: The most difficult part was converting the flat animation into a circular animation using a program, and then experimenting to see if the design would look visually interesting when projected onto the mirror.
We projected a number of patterns onto the mirror and adjusted the overall balance to determine the optimal shape. This process involved trial and error to get a visually appealing and consistent result, and it took a lot of time and effort, especially adjusting the design when reflected in the mirror.
Research: In this study, we used a program to distort an image and observed how it changed when projected onto a cylindrical mirror. Through various observations and feedback, we were able to gain a deeper understanding of how the distorted image was shaped by the mirror, and we confirmed that it was possible to create visually appealing and innovative designs. In addition, the animation incorporated mathematical elements (such as trigonometric functions and vectors) that students will learn in junior high and high school, allowing them to visually experience concepts they will learn in the future.
Inspiration: The artist, who is also a printmaker, has overlaid the relationship between a block and a print with the relationship between an image reflected on a display and an image reflected in a mirror, incorporating into the animation the way that, like a multi-colored print, each color has its own unique layer and overlaps to form a layered structure.
The title "Blocks" contains connotations such as "a mass," "a section divided into grids," "a series of commands in a program," and "a woodblock print."
Project Duration: This work was exhibited at "ICC Kids Program 2024 you().code().world()." held at NTT InterCommunication Center in Tokyo from July 23rd to August 25th, 2024.
Operation Flow: In this animation, pre-distorted images are used so that they appear in the correct form when reflected in a cylindrical mirror. The interaction occurs primarily as the user observes in front of the mirror, with the deformation of the animation changing based on the angle and viewpoint of the mirror. The interaction is visual and depends on how the user perceives the image. To achieve better results, it is crucial to carefully adjust the patterns of distortion and the timing of the animation. The performance stands out due to its consistent visual deformation and movement, providing a strong visual impact through the mirror.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photo courtesy NTT InterCommunication Center, Curiosity Blocks, 2024.
Image #2: Photo courtesy NTT InterCommunication Center, Curiosity Blocks, 2024.
Image #3: Photo courtesy NTT InterCommunication Center, Curiosity Blocks, 2024.
Image #4: Photo courtesy NTT InterCommunication Center, Curiosity Blocks, 2024.