Atomic Makeup - Design Manifesto (Year 1 Graphic Theory)

The impeccable design of every living creature, plant and substance as well as how they came to be is truly inspiring. While no design is perfect, the intricate process of evolution spends millions upon millions of years causing all species to adapt and thrive in their environment (which, too, has evolved). However, like with all manner of designs, they experience failure. But extinction is nature correcting its self and soon returns improved. From something as unconscious as atomic makeup, the conscious designer can learn so much.

PHYSICAL DESIGN.

The praying mantis; its small stature is made up for its camouflage, speed and ferocity. Even the weight of its arms contributes to its motion. A male mantis will fight with a female for 20 seconds and immediately need food to avoid starvation. But they can still tear the head off a wandering cockroach at 60mph. The ant has the largest brain and can carry the most weight in comparison to its size. A creature we deem as worthless vermin have their own societies and means of survival. Even when gathering food, they work together in an organized, single file line; something most humans are incapable of doing.

MENTAL DESIGN.

The essence of instinct is that it’s followed independently of reason. The brain generates emotions, decisions and reactions through a bout of chemical reactions. What a fascinating design. Look at a dog or wolf. A dog will instinctively cover urine or faeces with grass to hide the source of a scent so it will still be smelt, but not found. Something as simple as the act of going to the toilet, for a dog, has a consequence. The chimpanzee, our closest relatives, have their own hierarchies. They can move their way up the hierarchy by grooming the leader’s offspring or sharing food. They have the awareness to comfort a comrade who’s down, or introduce a juvenile to play. What we’re taught to do, they do through instinct. Are we, therefore, trading instinct for intellect? Successful design makes those ignorant ask questions.

COSMETIC DESIGN.

All species use colour (or lack of) for various purposes. Plants use colour to attract insects to pollinate and reproduce, or a lack of colour to avoid being consumed or touched; a rose is more attractive than a nettle. The bright green flesh of a female praying mantis makes her distinctive from the mottled brown male. This is where design opens its self to interpretation; is the bold green of the female a display of dominance? Ferocity? Attraction? Is the brown coat of the male camouflage? If so, why does he need it? Or are they both camouflaged for different habitats? In this respect, design provides us with scientific knowledge. The poison dart frog has bright blue skin. Assuredly not camouflage, but a warning for an animal with no physical strength. The same applies to snakes, but not the rattlesnake. A maraca on their tale produces high frequency sounds to signal their toxicity.

... BUT WHERE DID IT ALL BEGIN?

A question that can not be answered with certainty. A concoction of elements that one day made the right combination were pulled into a force of gravity to create a gargantuan oasis for life. All of which can be broken down into a singularity; the atom. A collection of electrons, protons, neutrons and empty space colliding together, free of reason and intent, to continuously multiply into several unique combinations. Chaos slowly organizing its self through a mass current of time. Existing, evolving, failing and correcting its self to one day produce a substantial purpose; that is design.