Dominoes are a game piece that can be used in many different games. They are typically rectangular in shape and have one side with a pattern of spots, called pips, while the other side is blank or identically patterned. The pips on dominoes range in value from six to blank; the sum of the values of both sides of a single domino is also known as its rank, and can be a defining characteristic of a set.

Most people are familiar with the traditional domino game, where players line up the pieces on end in long lines and then tip them over. This causes the next domino in the line to tip, and so on, until all of the pieces have fallen. This can lead to complex designs or simply be enjoyed as a simple game.

While the basic game is a popular one, domino has also been used in art and engineering. Dominoes can be used to make shapes and structures, such as curved lines, grids that form pictures, stacked walls, and 3D structures like pyramids. The pieces can even be arranged in ways that produce light shows or music.

The name domino is derived from the Latin for “falling together,” and the word is also used to refer to a system of law or order arising out of a chain reaction. The first written mention of the term dates to the early 18th century, but it was not until after 1750 that the game became a fad in France. The French word domino has since been incorporated into English, and the word is now commonly used in both languages.

Hevesh started her career as a domino artist when she was 9 years old, and she hasn’t stopped since. Now, she has more than 2 million YouTube subscribers and creates spectacular domino setups for movies, TV shows, and events—including the recent album launch for Katy Perry.

Although Hevesh works on some larger installations, she still starts each project with a small test version. This allows her to make precise corrections before assembling the whole thing. She then films each section in slow motion, ensuring that it functions properly. After that, she adds flat arrangements and then the lines of dominoes that connect all of the sections.

Hevesh uses a variety of tools in her woodshop, including a drill press, radial arm saw, belt sander, and welder. But she says that the most important tool is her brain. She spends a lot of time thinking about how to plan her designs before she ever picks up a piece of wood. This allows her to create stunning domino sets that can be enjoyed for years to come.