Why?
I have always been fascinated by the process of taking an idea to a thing. My education is in Physics so I am no artist and there is really something about creating something from nothing that appeals to me.
How?
I applied the scientific process to a jigsaw:
Hypothesis: Can I make the most difficult jigsaw with least pieces?
Apparatus: Computer, 3D printer
Method: Remove all visual queues as to which pieces may join
Observations: Using purpose written software I was able to generate various geometries and know all solutions for the joining of the pieces
Results: Solutions for HEXX Puzzles can be plotted on a graph and this graph graded from 2 to 10
Conclusion: HEXX Puzzles can be made with 100 million solutions, or just one, and anything in between, with just 7 pieces. Nearly all visual clues to assembly are gone.
A HEXX Puzzle has no image, no edges or corners, no front or back, no left or right, no top or bottom, when complete it makes a snow-flake like shape.