Nervous System
n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com · Company blog · on HN since 2011
Nervous System is a design studio that makes generative-design jigsaw puzzles and 3D-printed jewelry and clothing.
What HN saysHN commenters point to it as an example of generative design that sells as physical products, citing its puzzles and 3D-printed pieces.
37HN people shared it
17linked it in comments
23stories submitted
510story points
1 year agolast shared
2011people per year2026
Most-shared posts
- 1Generative design6 people · 1 points · first shared 2011 · discussion on HN
- 2A puzzle that tiles infinitely across both sides, based on the Klein Bottle2 people · 273 points · first shared 2016 · 51 comments on HN
- 3Product2 people · first shared 2020
- 4Software2 people · first shared 2015
- 5The Flummoxagon1 people · 135 points · first shared 2025 · 36 comments on HN
- 6Kinematics Bodice1 people · 75 points · first shared 2014 · 31 comments on HN
- 7Radiolaria: WebGL and generative design for 3d printing jewelry1 people · 3 points · first shared 2012 · 1 comments on HN
- 8Simulation and Nature in Design1 people · 2 points · first shared 2018 · discussion on HN
- 9Puzzle Cell Lamp1 people · 2 points · first shared 2022 · discussion on HN
- 10WebGL 3D printed jewelry creator1 people · 2 points · first shared 2012 · discussion on HN
- 11Bismuth Crystal Puzzle and the Matrix Cut1 people · 2 points · first shared 2023 · discussion on HN
- 12MOMA Acquires First Kinematics Dress by Nervous System1 people · 2 points · first shared 2014 · discussion on HN
- 13Designing a Better Laser Nozzle Using 3D-Printing1 people · 2 points · first shared 2020 · discussion on HN
- 143D Printing Ceramics1 people · 1 points · first shared 2017 · discussion on HN
- 153D printing a flexible, draping dress out of tiny hinged components1 people · 1 points · first shared 2013 · discussion on HN
What HN people wrote when they linked it
xyzzy_plugh · 2024-05-20
Of course, it's exactly the same as all artwork.
The first example that springs to mind is Nervous Systems: https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/
It seems to me that the problem you're struggling with is that there is no market for generative art PNGs, which I'd generally agree with. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part NFTs are a gold rush in speculative investing coincidentally often coupled to things which inherently cost nothing to reproduce, like digital images, because for some reason artificial scarcity is an amazingly effective hack for humans.
Making money in art tends to boil down to making something that somebody with money wants, just like everything else. The most successful artists I know recognize it for what it is.
meatsock · 2022-04-08
here[1] are some artists using algorithms based on biological organisims to create some stuff that's just visually fantastic. in this example they've created a nice looking objects based on reaction diffusion wrt brain coral growth.
[1]: https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/
sdedovic · 2020-09-28
If you're into this kind of design check out https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/
They have some really cool (and very complicated) jigsaw puzzles [1] that I bought as gifts for my family. The Inifinity Puzzle is topologically a torus so you can infinitely tile it by taking a piece of off the left and placing it onto the right side.
I have a set of their coral coffee mugs [2] which I absolutely love, especially after toying around with my own reaction-diffusion based designs/art.
[1] - https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/blog/?p=7821
[2] - https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/blog/?p=8222
nickpinkston · 2011-10-02
As a 3D printing dude - right now the main emphasis is either hobbyists can DIY print stuff at home (since they couldn't do that before) or you can use 3D printers to make really crazy geometries that aren't possible - think of nuts lattice-work.
Here's group that have amazing algorithmic 3DP art: http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com
Other practical uses are like InvisAlign mouthpieces that are each 3D printed to your specific teeth. It would've been possible using CNC, but would have been very hard to do.
pencerw · 2015-08-26
As others on this thread hinted at, I'm not sure that would be economical in titanium. But Nervous System (designers of that dress - website is http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/) are awesome at that stuff when it comes to polymers!
ingenieros · 2024-05-03
Google has a Creative Lab which employs a handful of creative coders who primarily work with emerging tech on experimental projects. They also offer a one year paid fellowship to young grads to join their labs in either NY or London: https://www.creativelab5.com/
Creative coding is everywhere these days. From the parametric architecture of Zaha Hadid and MAD architects to procedurally generated furniture designs and jewelry. https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/projects/
xavieralexandre · 2024-04-15
Some types of glue absorb a lot of the laser energy. There are dedicated plywood optimized for laser cutting https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/blog/?p=6042
thewebcount · 2020-09-28
I have one of their Mobius puzzles[0] that has no edges. Very fun to put together!
[0]https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/shop/product.php?code=346
haar · 2020-08-19
Somewhat related, but I thoroughly enjoy my infinite galaxy jigsaw puzzle:
https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/shop/product.php?code=346
Edit: To clarify it relates to the title, rather than the content of the article. :D
__MatrixMan__ · 2020-08-19
They don't always, but the obvious/boring thing to do is to start with a shape that tiles the plane, like rectangles or hexagons. A Penrose tiling might be an interesting approach to take.
I discovered these a few years back: https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/shop/ and I really dig 'em. They might be using a grid in some cases--but if so it's pretty hard to tell.
I'm working on my fourth. It's hard to worry about the apocalypse when the complexity of the puzzle requires your whole brain to make progress.
kleer001 · 2020-02-14
Neat! But I'm not sure what problem it solves, even that it's an artistic tool. This effect is pretty easy to accomplish in already available free software.
I might be biased, having used 3D animation software for over 20 years, but your GUI is awful. Please take a look at software like Maya, Blender, or Houdini for how to treat interacting with 3D. Consider dropping all the explicit buttons and parameters, adding snapping to whole/15 degrees and to grids.
https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/projects/software/
They also do pretty good interfaces.
In addition you've got waaay too much text. Boil that stuff waaay down. Assume your user is smart and can figure stuff out themselves, but also needs it simple because they're very busy.
inconvergent · 2019-05-29
thank you. btw, the green one is rather similar to floraform by Nervous System. https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/projects/sets/floraform/
nervous_jessica · 2018-05-02
This one is a Klein Bottle but we just released a cross cap one yesterday: https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/blog/?p=8068
phinnaeus · 2018-05-01
They're available on the same site as the article: https://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/shop/line.php?code=12
Sven7 · 2015-08-03
Interesting...thanks for the link.
And here you go...
http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/projects/software/
This one I found interesting too
http://www.tienchiu.com/how-tos/equipment/a-comparison-of-jacquard-loo…
oscilloscope · 2015-07-24
Floraform is another tool for exploring differential growth http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/blog/?p=6721
NelsonMinar · 2012-11-29
They have a blog post about the web app as well: http://n-e-r-v-o-u-s.com/blog/?p=2803