Cubing the SphereA three dimensional model of complex events David Walker Paul Oliver Paul Oliver has a background in graphics advertising and cookery. His first degree is in computer science.He is currently studying for an MA in Design Strategy and Innovation at Brunel University.His work placement is with the management consultancy Coopers and Lybrand.
Student BriefPreparation
Tutor NotesA three dimensional cube can be used to portray a set of factors. Each face of the cube offers a graphic representing a single factor. Where two faces meet, the graphics at the adjoining edges are styled in such a way that one factor flows into another. In this way a complex set of factors, and their inter-relationship, may be vividly represented - at both a macro and micro level. This project was originally devised by David Walker for the Design Management MA at the RCA in 1989-92.Then it was a technique to embody the main messages of the opening taught Modules of that course ...condensing six months work into six ideas!. However the technique of boiling down a complex reality into a simple graphic model is more widely applicable.The following example is based upon the more general brief above and executed by Paul Oliver on the MA Design Strategy and Innovation at Brunel University. Fig 01 The aims of this project are as follows:
Students should be encouraged to pursue a subject of great concern to them. The early period is one of assembling and refining complex information and prioritising the main factors. The limit of six factors is arbitrary but allows two groups of three, or four main specific factors set against two generic ( past and future, as the attached example). The graphics can be a contrary mix of realistic images,graphs,icons and signs.The subject matter will offer vivid examples. Each face of the cube should ideally share a dimension with its neighbouring faces.This is a modification of what Edward Tufte calls rug plots (see Tufte et al 1). The cube has the properties of a visual mnemonic, whereby the original events and structures are held in the mind more easily by recalling the cube. When using this physical cube to represent a complex sphere of events, the observer is able to obtain greater insights than that achieved through a two dimensional model. If a class of students conduct this project together then the resulting cubes can be cross matched and compared....with sometimes surprising new connections made visible. At the least you will construct a patchwork wall of multiple changing images. The Paradigm Cube- worked example Based on project work by Paul Oliver From Newbury to NudityPreparation In January 1996 the issue of the building of a vehicular by-pass around Newbury, Berkshire, received headline attention in the UK National press. This story continues to run and has been accompanied by a wealth of articles.This story has everything- a major conflict of view, straights v hippies,environment v technology,bizarre images of tree life, plus a little recreational violence. Digestion This set of events may be summarised as follows: Newbury By-pass Protests 2,3 Protesters: Protesting against the destruction of country side by proposed town by-pass. Argument: pollution - visual, chemical (emissions), noise. Action: physically blocking clearing of site. Government: Committed to building under previous Thatcherite road building plan. Argument: traffic relief, part of roads program, people want it. Action: attempted forced removal of protesters. New Research 'Emerges' 3 Research indicates that demand will increase to meet supply. This research heralded as new (by politicians), actually extends back to 1938.Research implies that purpose of by-pass - relief of traffic - is invalid. Government Policy Government building policy of by-passes and motorways, to meet predicted demand, instigated in mid 1960s as a response to The Buchanan Report4. Policy strengthened and implemented by Thatcher Government. Government Policy U-turn 5,6 Government ministers state 'off the record' that the Newbury by-pass will 'probably [be the] last' to be built. Argument: primarily political: '... there are votes in not building roads.' Newbury By-pass 4 Current situation: By-pass might not be built if protesters stall tree felling until March as EEC directive bans tree felling during bird nesting period (March ~ August). The time delay would produce greatly increased costs which the government wish to avoid. By Jan 1996 a construction firm had not been appointed. Motor Industry - 100 Year Anniversary 7 Motor Industry celebrated as 100 years old. Industry chiefs assemble for a church service at Coventry Cathedral: cars (old & new) driven into cathedral. A female protester demonstrates against industry and its effects by removing all her clothes inside the building during the service. Record Number of Vehicles Produced (UK) 8,9 Motor industry releases new predictions that the level of cars produced in UK is set to increase and that exports are set to decrease. This implies that the number of vehicles on UK roads will increase. Coupled with reduction in roads, this implications are : increased congestion, which implies increased emissions, which implies an increase in global warming10. Global Warming 11,12 Scientists are now able to confirm that the world surface temperatures are increasing - determined by observation. Previous warnings have been dismissed as inaccurate as they were drawn from modelling techniques which are open to interpretation and hence doubt. Warming attributed to burning of fossil fuels, of which vehicle emissions are a major contributor. Warming is producing extreme weather patterns, e.g. massive snow-falls in New York, USA and flooding in Philippines. Crystallisation The set of events described above may be represented graphically. Whilst not describing the issues in precise detail, the graphic, figure 01, does illustrate a connected historical context. Fig 02 Graphic time line of the Newbury by-pass and associated events Fig 03a Walker's cube Fig03b Paradigm cube The concept of the Paradigm Cube may be applied to the Newbury set of events described above. This provides a diagrammatic overview and perhaps a way of perceiving the key influences operating within the system.The corners of the cube represent the crucial interfaces. The six faces and the main components of the set of events are listed below .
Construction By establishing two frames as the 'past' and the 'future' the fourth dimension of historical time may be depicted. If the 'past' frame is at the bottom of the completed cube and the ' future' at the top, each of the four other frames can be read as a progression in time form bottom to top..thus in simplified form...Government moves from research to new policy,Protesters move from historical perception to polarisation of issues. In this way,when the cube is assembled,the broad arrows indicate the alignment of the associated influences . Note the overall direction of historical time implied by the lines of influence emanating from the past, towards the future. Relative time is implied by 'circumnavigating' the paths of influence around the cube. When assembled, the Paradigm Cube as illustrated here delivers an insight into the subtle influences contained within the system. To achieve the maximum advantage of the cube it must be actually assembled, rather than viewed in flat two dimensions. A paper model of the Newbury cube, for the reader to assemble, may be found in Figure 04 . Figure 04. Newbury Paradigm Cube There is no doubt that the modelling of a system of events by two dimensional graphics can provide a good overview. This overview is often much easier understand than a one dimensional textual narrative There is, however, a further case to be made for the three dimensional modelling of a system of events. The additional dimension allows for the introduction of more subtle concepts. The tactility of holding a physical cube provides the observer with another method of understanding the subject matter.
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