Our brains are hardwired to recognise patterns, shapes and colours. We did not evolve to read spreadsheets or search endless lists of files. 

We've been stuck in this frame of mind since computers were created - using the analogy of folders and filing cabinets, building labyrthine libraries of data towering around us like the walls of a maze.

Now there is a way to rise above the maze, to avoid the struggle of navigation and to simply see, everything.

When you look at a list, you're really looking at a one-dimensional object. 

Move up or down the list to get new information. Even a tree-like folder structure is just a one-dimensional line if you think about it. Every single item can be written one after another, and that is often how we search for things as well. Go down a branch, don't find what you want, back up, down another branch.

So when we convert our list into a two-dimensional visual, we really are going up into a higher dimension. 

There are several ways to represent hierarchal structures, and you may be familiar with "Trees" or "Tree Maps" - we considered them all, but none of them give the balance between showing the hierarchy and showing all the information in a contained space.
Trees naturally spread out, your standard folder tree goes off the bottom of the screen almost immediately. When you're talking about showing upwards of 500,000 things, you want to keep it contained.

In some ways, it is! Most folder structures evolve over time, to suit the needs of the project or the data they store.

Some file structure pattern occur naturally. We can draw parallels with petri dishes, bacteria, and even cancer, when unchecked and sporadic. But also fibonnaci spirals, phylotaxis, and the golden ratio all coexist here. They're emergent properties. We're discovering new things as we build this. If you find something cool, please email us at nircles.for.files@gmail.com

A fractal is a complex mathematical pattern that looks self-similar at any level of magnification. They are found throughout nature as well as mathmatical sets.

Unlike a true fractal, which is infinitely self similar, our folder structures have limits bound by mundane things like file path character limits. But the self similarity at scales is self evident. We haven't found a practical use for it yet, but we think it's cool.

"Mandala" literally means circle in Sanskrit. It is a geometric, symbolic diagram or configuration of symbols used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism to represent the universe, sacred spaces or divine deities. Typically designed with a central point surrounded by intreicate symmetric patterns, they are used as tools for meditation, focus and spiritual guidance. 

The Three Circles of Enlightenment

⊙ ◯ ◎

Kensho or Satori are the Japanese terms for the initial awakening, the first taste of enlightenment. Imagine a large circle with a small dot in the center. The large circle is the universe or all that is. The small dot in the center is you.