Abstract: Non uniform growth of thin sheets can lead to the formation of elaborate three-dimensional configurations and to induce non trivial shape transformations. In particular, complicated configurations appear in thin sheets when growth leads to geometrical frustration, as often occurs in biological tissues.

I will present examples of different types of systems and discus different types of self shaping principles, together with the theoretical framework of incompatible elasticity which is used to study such systems. Experimental methods for the construction of “programmed” responsive sheets will be reviewed and the connection of the topic to shape selection in chemical and biological systems, as well as to design and art, will be presented.