Parametric Thinking vs. Traditional Design Tinking

Welcome to the new world of Parametric Thinking! Getting used to this fresh way of thinking could have implications on the design process and the designer himself. This new paradigm of thinking opens up a new horizons and leads to the incredible creation results. It goes beyond skillful use of computer tools, to a deeper knowledge and understanding of computational thinking that represents a potential for a better future for the ever-growing complexity of design.

Firstly, what is exactly difference between traditional design thinking and parametric thinking?

As traditional thinking of design process is already familiar to the majority and aims to ensure easier understanding of parametric thinking, let us make a comparison of these two methods through comparing key items from each approach:

• Traditional design process characteristics: A designer draws a product (building, graphic art or any kind of digital art-piece which could be printed or build) by designing every detail separately. He draws line by line using computer software or by hand and places new details “freely”, with only worries about current state of drawing, without thinking about linking new drawing object with previous or future one, just only thinking about positioning them in wanted place into the whole design. It means that design objects can exist independently. Resulting product is exactly what the designer has drawn during the design process, therefore there is only that one drawn solution available. At the flowing illustration is a administration building part traditionally drawn – line by line…
  

• Parametric design process characteristics: A designer creates product idea by defining key parameters which determine object appearance and/or functionality. Further more, identified parameters should be linked together as representation of object behavior. When all items starting with parameters, their links and values are designated, resulted product can be produced. Resulting product in this design process is not only a drawing/model, but its design process translated into parameters. Therefore, resulted product has not only one solution, but a variety of solutions available!

As purpose of this writing is to explain parametric design process it will be illustrated in more detail at basic example of office building and determination of one office unit, step by step.

1. Firstly we need to define parameters and behavior of one office unit – we will cal it in design process -office object in process.
   
   
2. Testing – following illustrations represent results of using different values for parameters – n and m
   
3. Second part includes determination of whole building occupancy, therefore will be determined parameters of office unit frequency both in horizontal and vertical direction.
4. Finally, whole building solution testing depending on different parameters shown by following illustrations.