For the second experiment in this series, I wanted to keep the rules almost identical to the first project and change just one thing.
Study 01 used multiplication to determine the rotation of each line. This time, I’ve replaced the lines with outlined squares and changed the mathematics from multiplication to addition.
The question became:
What if every square knew where it was?
Each square sits within a regular grid. Its position is described by two values: its column and its row. Instead of multiplying those values together, I simply add them.
float angle = radians(column + row);Every square is then rotated by the angle produced from that calculation.
The result is surprisingly different. Squares that share the same column + row value also share the same rotation, creating gentle diagonal bands that flow across the composition. Where the multiplication project felt more complex and unpredictable, this one feels calmer and much more structured.
Nothing else changes.
- The grid remains fixed.
- Every square is the same size.
- Every outline has the same weight.
- Only the mathematical relationship has changed.
This is what fascinates me about working in code. A tiny adjustment to a single formula can completely alter the visual language of the piece.
Like the first project, this isn’t about creating a finished artwork. It’s about asking a simple question, changing one variable, and observing what happens.
Sometimes the smallest mathematical change produces the biggest visual surprise.