Designing Math ft. Grant Sanderson (3Blue1Brown) I Config 2026
Summary
Grant Sanderson reveals that mathematicians and designers face identical challenges: finding clarity through abundant choice and complexity. By visualizing abstract concepts like e^(πi)=-1 through multiple design lenses, creators unlock deeper understanding—a framework applicable to explaining any complicated idea.
Key Takeaways
- Both mathematicians and designers solve the same core problem: navigating abundance of choice and potential for complexity to find a clear path forward. Apply this principle when explaining any complex topic by identifying multiple visualization approaches.
- Use conceptual anchors to make abstract ideas concrete. For complex numbers, anchor 'i' to rotation (multiplying by i rotates 90 degrees) rather than abstract 'imaginary' terminology. This mental model becomes a tool for manipulating two-dimensional space.
- Design multiple distinct visualizations for the same concept depending on what question you're answering. The equation e^(πi)=-1 has fundamentally different visual explanations based on whether you're asking 'what does this mean,' suggesting design decisions should be question-driven.
- Reframe terminology that obscures understanding. 'Imaginary number' is a misleading name that creates unnecessary mystery. Instead, describe complex numbers as extending one-dimensional number lines into two-dimensional planes, which immediately clarifies their purpose and utility.
- Connect abstract math to tangible design applications. Once viewers gain fluency with complex numbers and rotation, they gain 'a new tool in your belt for how to manipulate two-dimensional space'—making math immediately relevant to designers' daily work.
Related topics
Transcript Excerpt
Hello. >> Hello Config. Are you ready for day two? There we go. Let's go. I'm Lorna Croshawn, Figma's Chief Design Officer, and I'm excited to welcome you to the second day of Config. I'm going to introduce our first speaker of the day. Now, I know many of you were up late hanging out with friends and playing with motion and shaders. I've seen all of your work online. Keep it coming. So, to start us off today, we went with with a chill subject, math. Now, math is often misunderstood. I should know, I went to music school and I didn't get math until it connected with something that I loved. Uh in my case, first sound, then visuals animation. When you look at it that way, math becomes a field full of creativity, ideas, choices that fundamentally change how you see the world. Our next speaker…