Tetrahedron - Visualising Complexity 

The brief

Use a supplied tetrahedral shape to demonstrate both an understanding of complexity and creativity as an engineer. The response needed to connect different frameworks at a systems level rather than simply defining them.

The concept

• I proposed a modular knowledge-mapping system built from triangular segments. Each segment represents a concept drawn from frameworks including Cynefin, Maslow’s hierarchy and data-information-knowledge-wisdom.

• The edges encode the direction and strength of relationships between neighbouring concepts. Complementary magnetic patterns act as keys and locks; when segments align, their combined magnetic field changes a ferrofluid display. Rearranging the model therefore produces a different visual representation of the relationships within the system.

• The project explored how physical form and interaction could make abstract systems easier to compare and understand.