Time for Sinusoids
When you take an oscillating math function, like a sine wave, and plot it on polar coordinates (instead of the perpendicular x/y scale), you end up with a bloom of a sort of “mathematical rose”.
Depending on how complicated the oscillating function, or sinusoid, is, you can get some pretty crazy patterns. Jason Davies put together a gallery of these geometric flowers here, each based on more complicated functions, and trust me, you want to check them out!
These same polar patterns, and their more angular cousins, have been used by textile designers and architects for ages. Ever fancy a clock made of concrete featuring one of these patterns? Check out paraclocks.com, as seen in the photo above.
Math + Design = :)
(ht to Robert T. Gonzalez)