"Programmable Ink" by Szymon Kaliski (Strange Loop 2022)

## Dynamic Medium, Static Tools

Szymon Kaliski of Ink & Switch presents "Programmable Ink" at Strange Loop, questioning why digital drawing tools simulate paper instead of exploiting computation. Even sophisticated paint programs remain static regarding behavior—you cannot sketch seating charts that reorder when guests RSVP or bookshelves that parametrize after drawing.

## Tyranny of Formalisms

Professional design software demands pixel perfection early, pulling creators into rigid workflows. Kaliski argues the dynamic medium should blend sketching freedom with programmable behavior, avoiding premature commitment to final layouts.

## Spatial Queries Prototype

Demonstrations introduce spatial queries: canvas regions that ask which objects overlap them, returning live lists bound to UI properties. Drawing a checkbox near queried zones toggles state bidirectionally—mark removal clears lists; new marks repopulate them. Lists convert to Boolean conditions driving other elements.

## Research Toward Programmable Sketching

Programmable Ink prototypes explore how informal diagrams gain reactive logic without traditional coding. The research track targets creators who think visually first, enabling iterative exploration where hand-drawn structures carry executable semantics—a middle ground between whiteboards and production CAD systems.