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Jood Elbeshti

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Contours Of Duration

Movement Authored Through Form — A Behavior Archive

Insect anatomy offers an elegant example of motion derived from structure. Inspired by insect movement, Contours of Duration employs a cam-and-follower system consisting of moving, leg-like parts, designed to engage a series of rotating cams, such that the shape of each cam’s surface activates the legs in unique ways, generating repetitive movement, and demonstrating how geometry produces distinct motion behaviors over time. Through iterative experimentation and controlled variation, trace emerges as a central methodology, whereby movement, over time, creates a distinct pattern of marks, making motion legible and reflecting how subtle changes to surface and form generate different behavioral outcomes.

As the research develops, trace becomes central not only as a record of motion, but as a design tool for reading, comparing, and understanding behavior over time. The outcome takes shape as a behavior archive, where mechanical iterations and their traces reveal the relationship between geometry, movement and time.

The 3 Behavior Archive pieces

A video showing the movement and behavior of the Pill Bug Study

The Caterpillar Study

The Caterpillar Study Trace Behavior: Rhythmic Continuity A sequence of related parts passes movement forward, creating repeated marks over time.

The Pill Bug Study

Pill Bug Study Trace Behavior: Clustered Density Compact repeated contact points create a denser field of marks and accumulated pressure.

The Beetle Study

The Beetle Study Trace Behavior: Directional Impact Sharper leg-like contact translates rotation into more defined marks and directional movement.

Jood Elbeshti

MFA in Design 2026

Insect anatomy offers an elegant example of motion derived from structure. Inspired by insect movement, Contours of Duration employs a cam-and-follower system consisting of moving, leg-like parts, designed to engage a series of rotating cams, such that the shape of each cam’s surface activates the legs in unique ways, generating repetitive movement, and demonstrating how geometry produces distinct motion behaviors over time. Through iterative experimentation and controlled variation, trace emerges as a central methodology, whereby movement, over time, creates a distinct pattern of marks, making motion legible and reflecting how subtle changes to surface and form generate different behavioral outcomes.

As the research develops, trace becomes central not only as a record of motion, but as a design tool for reading, comparing, and understanding behavior over time. The outcome takes shape as a behavior archive, where mechanical iterations and their traces reveal the relationship between geometry, movement and time.

Tags

Kinetic
Mechanical
Nature

Contours Of Duration

Movement Authored Through Form — A Behavior Archive

Jood Elbeshti

MFA in Design 2026

Tags

Kinetic
Mechanical
Nature

Insect anatomy offers an elegant example of motion derived from structure. Inspired by insect movement, Contours of Duration employs a cam-and-follower system consisting of moving, leg-like parts, designed to engage a series of rotating cams, such that the shape of each cam’s surface activates the legs in unique ways, generating repetitive movement, and demonstrating how geometry produces distinct motion behaviors over time. Through iterative experimentation and controlled variation, trace emerges as a central methodology, whereby movement, over time, creates a distinct pattern of marks, making motion legible and reflecting how subtle changes to surface and form generate different behavioral outcomes.

As the research develops, trace becomes central not only as a record of motion, but as a design tool for reading, comparing, and understanding behavior over time. The outcome takes shape as a behavior archive, where mechanical iterations and their traces reveal the relationship between geometry, movement and time.

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