Instructions are part of our everyday lives. It can be used to describe a series of steps to achieve the desired outcome, and it can be applied across a wide range of applications, from house chores to creative processes.

Every algorithm takes in defined inputs (the things being acted upon) and has the goal of producing defined outputs (the results you want). For example, maybe you have a set algorithm for making yourself a sandwich for lunch. Your goal, or output, might be to make a sandwich that will fill you up. The inputs are all of the ingredients that will go into the sandwich, and your algorithm is how you order and arrange these things so that you can get your desired result, or output, of a sandwich.

Rub the spindle between your hands as fast as you can,

moving your hands up and down the spindle rapidly.

To use this method, make a v-shaped notch in a board or log ​

Place the spindle tip on the v-shaped notch

When the board or log begins to smoke, use your tinder

nest to catch the glowing spark you've produced.

Blow on it until the spark burns.

Algorithms can be defined as having four qualities. These qualities can be easily understood when defined in relation to travel directions.

There are many ways to write an algorithm. In other words, there are always multiple ways to get from point A to point B. Different people will create different sets of directions, but they all get the reader to their intended destination.

An algorithm requires assumptions. Hiking directions assume that you know how to hike, from knowing to wear the right shoes, to understanding how to follow a winding trail, to assuming that you know to bring plenty of water. Without this knowledge, the hiker may end up lost and dehydrated with blistered feet.

Form+Code in Design, Art, and Architecture

Reas, Casey, McWilliams, Chandler

An algorithm includes decisions. Directions often include instructions from different starting locations. The person reading the directions will need to choose a starting position.

A complex algorithm should be broken down into modular pieces. Directions are often divided into small units to make them easy to follow. There may be separate directions for coming from the North or South, but at a certain point the directions converge and both groups follow the same instructions.

Form+Code in Design, Art, and Architecture

Reas, Casey, McWilliams, Chandler

Sol LeWitt was an iconic American artist whose work helped to establish both Minimalism and Conceptual Art. LeWitt’s practice was based primarily within his own intellect, establishing a rubric of formal instructions which his assistants followed to create the works. Some of the artist’s most integral pieces are his Wall Drawings, in which he explored myriad variations of applying drawn lines onto walls.

Sol Lewitt,

Paragraphs on Conceptual Art

Sol Lewitt,

Wall Drawing 260A

Sol Lewitt,

Wall Drawing 260A

On blue walls, all two-part combinations of white arcs from corners and sides, and white straight, not straight, and broken lines within a 36-inch (90 cm) grid.

Manfred Mohr

P-021/A + B, "band-structure", computer generated algorithmic plotter drawings, ink/paper, 1969, 50cm x 50cm

The elements are horizontal, vertical, 45 degree lines, square waves, zig-zags, and have probabilities for line widths and lengths. The algorithm places elements in a horizontal direction and has a high probability to move from left to right and a limited probability to backtrack. Thus an abstract text is created.

TheGreenEyl,

MIT Media Lab Logo

Phase,

Elias Hanzer

Nutella

Ogilvy

20 minutes

You already use algorithms in your personal life. But what does it look like when algorithms are used in social spaces? What do we as a society or group gain or lose from allowing algorithms to inform or make our decisions? To begin answering these questions, let’s design our own social algorithm. 

Work in groups of 3-4 to:

1) Identify a possible use of algorithms in your social life, it can be a real world scenario or a social media algorithm that will sort/filter/curate content or make recommendations. ( eg: I want to create an algorithm in spotify that recommends music based on my current mood )

2) Identify the key criteria that will help you to decide whether a user/post/content has more value . (eg: Analysis of voice recognition, social media, movement & others)

3) Based on outcomes discussed in 1) and 2), create an algorithm based on the input > process > output model , written in a step by step instructional format.

10 minutes

To complete at home

Sol Lewitt, Adapted to A3 format

1) On a piece of A3 size paper, using a hard pencil,

2) Place 20 points at random.

3) The points should be evenly distributed over the area of the paper.

4) All the points should be connected by straight lines.

90 minutes

Sol Lewitt Wall Drawing #289, Adapted to A3 format

1) Mark out 2cm dots of a grid covering a piece of A3 size paper. All lines should connect to grid points

2) Twenty-four lines from the center,

3) Twelve lines from the midpoint of each of the sides,

4) Twelve lines from each corner.

(The length of the lines and their placement are determined by the drafter.)

30 minutes