Think of Everything with Back Calculation: Computational Aesthetics of Hair Design

Abstract

Hair design, which has been developed by S. Tsuchiya is typical example of Computational Aesthetics, where all the details are algorithmically designed.

Epilogue: From the Stand Point of Computational Aesthetics

• Yasuhiro Suzuki 

There are two big points in general design in connection with methodology of hair design by Mr. Tsuchiya. One is product design whose concepts or functions are pre-established. In this case, the direction and object are clear, so a designer just designs toward them.

The other is the design by combining some elements, so that means it isn’t a grand design. For example, sun-dried bricks are subtly different in color and shape one by one. A wall made by a craft person heaping up sun-dried bricks has unique texture however this texture can’t be designed in advance.

In the case of hair design, there are two design ways as above however ordinary people don’t clearly understand the difference. For example, hair moves by walking or shaking one’s head, so does it mean that these movements may create unique texture? We think of dreadlocked or afro hair as fixed hairstyle whose texture of the form is created by assembling small elements.

Mr. Tsuchiya’s model of carving hairs is controlled by evolving emergent computation; in his algorithm, carving hairs is constructing an architecture; firstly, the outer shape is designed and the structural calculation is performed and then he obtains construction drawings and starts cutting hair. However, hair design is fatally different from architecture, each of elements is moving and time developing. His works (hair designs) are instauration arts; they are exhibited on physically moving galleries, his customers; they are real instauration arts that participate to complete his art work every day by arranging their own hair style and exhibit the art work in public.

From Computational Aesthetics point of view, Algorithm of hair design, which is controlled emergent evolutional computing, is one of the most advanced algorithm and many useful algorithms are hidden there.