CDFAM Computational Design Symposium

Duann Scott
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CDFAM Computational Design Symposium Presentation Recordings www.designforam.com

  1. 2D AGO

    Math Whittaker - Beyond Surfaces: Applying Intrinsic Geometry Processing in Art and Design

    Recorded at CDFAM Amsterdam, 2025 While computational tools have revolutionized design, many approaches focus on explicit modeling of form. This presentation delves deeper, exploring the creative application of intrinsic geometry processing properties – characteristics inherent to a surface regardless of its embedding in space. These techniques are typically confined to mathematics or specialized engineering domains, however looking this presentation will look at their practical use in art and design. Key concepts such as the generation and application of smooth vector fields on complex meshes (illustrated through a personal jewelry design project), the use of the cotan Laplacian for simulating surface phenomena or achieving specific smoothing effects, and the deployment of reaction-diffusion systems to generate intricate, organic patterns directly on geometry will be examined. This talk aims to illustrate these powerful methods and demonstrate how leveraging the inherent mathematical structure of shapes can unlock novel aesthetic possibilities, sophisticated surface treatments, and approaches for design expression beyond conventional digital craft. Attendees will gain insight into applying these advanced computational techniques to enhance their own creative explorations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    19 min

  2. 5D AGO

    René Medel - Molding the Future: Computational Design in Footwear Tooling - Frames

    Blending generations of tradition with technology innovation. Exploring how computational tools and additive manufacturing transforms the footwear industry empowering design and production. From the acceleration of ideation with AI, design through to the optimization of production tooling and mold making with generative design and additive manufacturing. Recorded CDFAM Amsterdam 2025 René Medel - Molding the Future: Computational Design in Footwear Tooling - Frames This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    20 min

  3. 6D AGO

    Geodesic Slicing: A Generalised Framework for Multi-Axis 3D Printing

    Recorded at CDFAM Amsterdam, 2025 Alessandro Zomparelli - AiBuild Multi-axis 3D printing has become a widely adopted technology across a range of industries. In recent years, computational designers and engineers have increasingly explored non-planar slicing strategies for large-format and robotic 3D printing in order to produce support-free parts with better strength and surface quality. While many solutions remain tailored to specific applications, the development of more generalised and automated toolpath generation workflows is essential to broaden the accessibility and scalability of these technologies. Geodesic fields offer a highly adaptable approach to 3D volumetric slicing, enabling optimised toolpath generation for complex geometries. This presentation introduces the geodesic slicing framework implemented within Aibuild, showcasing its integration with the platform’s comprehensive suite of design and fabrication tools. The method supports a general-purpose workflow that minimises the need for complex input parameters, making it suitable for a wide range of use cases. We will demonstrate the current implementation and available controls, and present a variety of outputs generated using this method, including freeform surfaces, multi-directional features, and branching structures, highlighting the potential of geodesic slicing to streamline fabrication in both experimental and production environments. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    19 min
  4. LightSpray: A High Performance Footwear with Spray-on 3D Printing - Maia Zheliazkova - On

    JUL 21

    LightSpray: A High Performance Footwear with Spray-on 3D Printing - Maia Zheliazkova - On

    In this episode, Maia Zheliazkova of ON explores LightSpray, a radical new approach to performance footwear manufacturing from her presentation at CDFAM Amsterdam. Developed by ON’s Innovation Team, LightSpray fuses computational design, robotics, and thermoplastic materials to create ultra-light, seamless uppers in a single automated step—directly onto the shoe’s midsole. Zheliazkova explains how the process eliminates traditional multi-part assembly, reduces waste and emissions, and enables unprecedented control over fit and function. The result is the Cloudboom Strike LS, a 30-gram running shoe produced with 75% less CO₂ compared to standard ON shoes. From robotic toolpaths to programmable material behavior, this talk highlights how integrated design and fabrication can unlock new performance frontiers, not just in footwear, but across industries. Subscribe to the CDFAM podcast for more conversations and talks on computational design, and visit cdfam.com to learn about future events around the world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    15 min

  5. JUL 17

    Mathew Vola on Computational Design, Ikigai, and Collaborative Practice

    In this first episode of Season 4 of the CDFAM Podcast, we kick off a new series of talks recorded live at CDFAM Amsterdam 2025. This season will feature presentations from across the event, with new episodes released weekly. We begin with the closing keynote by Mathew Vola, Director and Computational Design Fellow at Arup. Mathew shares his perspective on the evolving role of computational design in the built environment, offering a unique framework for interdisciplinary collaboration based on the Ikigai concept: finding alignment between what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. He walks through two in-depth case studies, demonstrating how data-driven design processes, parametric modeling, and early-stage machine learning can help reconcile diverse stakeholder needs, reduce risk, and improve project outcomes. Topics Discussed: * The evolution of computational design at Arup * Parametric and AI-powered workflows in architecture and engineering * Applying Ikigai to stakeholder alignment and design process * Designing for outcomes across sustainability, performance, and constructibility * Lessons from complex, high-stakes urban development projects To learn more about CDFAM events and upcoming talks, visit cdfam.com The presentation with visuals can also be found on YouTube: This episode is part of the CDFAM symposium series, where designers, engineers, researchers, and software developers come together to explore the future of computational design across scales—from materials to buildings, components to systems. CDFAM events are held in cities around the world and focus on applied innovation at the intersection of computation, performance, and fabrication. To learn more, access recordings, or find out about upcoming events, visit cdfam.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    36 min

  6. JUN 19

    Shape of Generative AI - Onur Yüce Gün - Closing Keynote

    Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, Berlin, 2024 Presenter: Onur Yüce Gün Organization: New Balance This presentation speaks of computation and design, exploring the depths of machine intelligence and the philosophy of being. The aim is to empower the audience with tools so they can navigate the effects of computational design thinking across the disciplines of Architecture Engineering and Construction, product design, and visual arts, and develop strategies to take insightful steps amid fast-developing AI technologies. The CDFAM Computational Design Symposium Series brings together leading experts from design, engineering, architecture, academia and software development for a series of knowledge sharing and networking events focusing on computational design at all scales. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    32 min

  7. JUN 17

    Concept to Manufacturing: Evaluating Vision-Language Models for Engineering Design - Kristen M. Edwards

    Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, Berlin, 2024 Presenter: Kristen M. Edwards Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s DeCoDE Lab Engineering Design is undergoing a transformative shift with the advent of AI, marking a new era in how we approach product, system, and service planning. Large language models have demonstrated impressive capabilities in enabling this shift. Yet, with text as their only input modality, they cannot leverage the large body of visual artifacts that engineers have used for centuries and are accustomed to. This gap is addressed with the release of multimodal vision language models, such as GPT-4 with vision, enabling AI to impact many more types of tasks. In light of these advancements, this work presents a comprehensive evaluation of GPT-4 with vision across a wide spectrum of engineering design tasks, categorized into four main areas: Conceptual Design, System-Level and Detailed Design, Manufacturing and Inspection, and Engineering Education Tasks. The CDFAM Computational Design Symposium Series brings together leading experts from design, engineering, architecture, academia and software development for a series of knowledge sharing and networking events focusing on computational design at all scales. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    27 min

  8. JUN 12

    Perfect designs for imperfect AM - Prof. Ole Sigmund

    Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, Berlin, 2024 Presenter: Prof. Ole Sigmund Organization: TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK Ole Sigmund is a Danish Professor in Mechanical Engineering who has made fundamental contributions to the field of topology optimization, including microstructure design, nano optics, photonic crystals, Matlab code, acoustics, and fluids. Read an Interview with Prof. Ole Sigmund from 2022 and his thoughts on AI for Topology Optimisation in 2024 The CDFAM Computational Design Symposium Series brings together leading experts from design, engineering, architecture, academia and software development for a series of knowledge sharing and networking events focusing on computational design at all scales. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.designforam.com

    37 min
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CDFAM Computational Design Symposium Presentation Recordings www.designforam.com

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