computational-design-foundationslisted

# Computational Design Foundations This skill auto-activates whenever a computational design context is detected. It provides the foundational knowledge layer, paradigm classification, tool routing, and anti-pattern awareness that underpins every other skill in the Computational Design Skills Plugin. --- ## 1. Computational Design Paradigm Overview Computational design is not a single methodology but a spectrum of interrelated paradigms. Each paradigm carries distinct assumptions about the relationship between the designer, the algorithm, and the artifact. Understanding which paradigm applies to a given problem is the first critical decision in any computational design workflow. ### 1.1 Parametric Design **Definition:** Parametric design establishes explicit relationships between design elements through variable parameters and constraints, enabling the exploration of a continuous design space by adjusting input values. The geometry is not drawn; it is described as a system of dependencies. **Key Characteristics:** - Associative relationships between geometry elements (change one parameter, downstream geometry updates) - Design intent is encoded as a graph of operations, not a static drawing - Enables rapid iteration and variant generation from a single model definition - Parameters can be numeric (dimensions), geometric (reference curves), or categorical (material type) **When to Use:** When the design problem has well-defined variables and the goal is to explore a co