Jigsaw puzzles for the 21st century! Each generative puzzle is a one of a kind creation with unique art and pieces. Our goal was to marry the artistry of traditional, hand-crafted jigsaw puzzles with the possibilities of new technologies. Custom software simulates crystal growth to create an organic interlocking pattern. Our laser cutter translates this into a unique set of plywood pieces. We collaborated with contemporary digital artists who created engaging artwork for the puzzles.

size: 7.75" circle
material: 1/4" birch plywood
number of pieces: approximately 80
packaging: black box with unique label

To create the organic shape of the pieces, we designed a system based the simulation of dendritic solidification, a crystal growth process similar to the formation of snowflakes that occurs in supercooled solutions of certain metallic alloys. By varying the parameter space, it can produce a variety of cut styles. You can read about how our simulation works here.

Featured Artist - Jonathan McCabe
This series features art by Jonathan McCabe which combines multiple scales of reaction diffusion with fluid flow to create a kaleidoscopic landscape of colors and patterns. Read more about Jonathan's work here.

Featured Whimsies - "Microscopic Life"
This series comes with a selection of figural pieces with the theme "Microscopic Life." Each puzzle is a veritable petri dish, teeming with special pieces resembling algae, diatoms, radiolarians and other minuscule creatures. A key to identifying the whimsies is available here.

For more information visit the Generative Jigsaws Project Page