24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Computation in Design 1

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

www.slides.com/

sojamo/cid-1-2425

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Ask questions anonymously on slido.com

#3923 236

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Computation in Design 1

What is this class about?

 

Navigate downwards to find out more.

24–25

Computation is often defined as the act or process of calculating something. It often refers to disciplines such as technology, science or engineering and includes practices that involve programming and coding and most recently advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning or Generative AI.

 

Within the creative industries, such practices are rapidly evolving in the field of design, where technology plays a key part in the design process and the experimentation and production of designed outcomes.

 

Over the course of the semester you will be introduced to principles relating to code and computation and applicable to contemporary and emerging design practices and aesthetics. This is achieved by combining technical, form-giving and playful approaches that converge at the intersection of code, computation and visual design. In a series of exercises and workshops we will lay the foundation for skills, context and aesthetics in Computation in Design.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

About

24–25

Computation in Design 1: An introduction comprises a series of exercises and workshops that culminate in a student’s digital showcase at the end of the semester and a digital portfolio that documents the process and the results of the activities carried out.

 

Through prepared exercises you will learn about computation in design and acquire basic computational literacy skills through hands-on and playful challenges and exercises. Here, inputs such as numbers, words, shapes or actions are transformed into formal and visual outputs by describing and exercising a process with the use of code, instructions, rules and conditions.

 

Through a series of workshops, you will learn, experiment, and apply creative coding methods to arrive at a series of visual outcomes informed by design and design practice in general. You will apply a range of coding principles to create a series of static, moving, even interactive images. This is often achieved through trial and error, curiosity and experimentation.

Approach

Computational Literacy building 

Applied workshops

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Define fundamental issues in contemporary design practice including the variety of ways in which visual communication can be applied, and the implementation of common technical and aesthetic standards


Relate to set tasks and project briefs creatively and to generate interesting ideas that can inform design solutions in the field of visual communication

Learning Outcomes

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Organise conceptual and technical steps used to engage with the fundamental components of a design production process and apply traditional and digital design tools and techniques


Demonstrate self-reflection and commitment to set tasks, assignments and exercises and to be able to work both individually and as part of a team

Apply code as a tool and design medium to short design exercises to develop an initial understanding of how code can be used within a design  process and production.

Use code-based sketches to respond to short briefs with a particular code concept in mind

Apply outcomes from code exercises to outcomes such as still image, video, printed matter

Document steps taken and outcomes created in a CPJ

24–25

Resources

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

In a series of group and individual exercises you will be introduced to computational principles applicable to design practices. This is a transitional process from exercises that require an analog approach to others that require an incremental digital approach. Results that are created, then lead to a Digital Portfolio that documents the process, outcome, and reflection.

 

Following the structure of the Digital Portfolio, students will document their learning and outcomes respectively. Outcomes include 

 

Archive → Digital images and videos

Digital CPJ → Documentation of process, reflection and outcomes

Summary → Digital document that summarises your semester work

Requirements

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

The Digital Portfolio is explained in detail in the following slides

Follow these links to selected  outcomes created in previous level 1, semester 2 classes

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

A brief introduction to Computation in Design with some images, practical and creative applications within the design communication discipline.

Introduction

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Andreas

Andreas works across disciplines and creates objects, tools and interfaces where art and technology meet in a curious way. Many of his works are collaborative and have been presented on screen, in code, as installations, in exhibitions, as performances or workshops. His practice focuses on emerging and open source technologies, where outcomes are inspired and informed by computational aesthetics, interactions and networked processes. He likes plants, he hopes they like him back.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Dhiya also known as MDRN is an artist, designer, maker and probably Singapore's only surfboard shaper/builder. He is partner at STUDIO SWELL which works on prints, branding, graphic design. Runs an art studio, neuwave, dealing with installations and object making. Makes surfboards under the label The Happy Poison Gang.

Dhiya

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Jo is an artist working with imaginations of digital and physical spaces that question the role of creativity and agency in our increasingly automated world where views of “machine as tool” and “machine as creator” are being challenged. Jo uses emerging digital technologies to practice a range of modes in space-making, some of which include speculative fiction and visuals using machine learning, virtual reality, and large-scale projections.

Jo

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Kapi is a media artist, designer and technologist with a keen interest in exploring digital interactions, rapid mechanization and computational ubiquity within contemporary society. Using real-time data and audience interactivity as foundational elements, his works span across generative images, sound and animations, mixed-reality experiences, screen-based installations, computer programs, and machine learning models.

 

Kapi

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Graphic Design

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Graphic Design

Generative Design

Motion Graphics

Data Visualisation

Interaction Design

Computational Design

Physical Computing

Experience Design

Interface Design

Machine Learning

24–25

Generative Typography, generated using code.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Try this in code, link

24–25

Motion Design, algorithmically generated dynamic visuals. Field.io, design studio. link-1 link-2

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Live visuals, sound reactive, collaboration with musicians.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Data Visualisation, using data and code as tools and material to generate information or an experience from data.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Interactive surfaces, exhibition displays, physical artefacts, data sculptures.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Generative Design, Processing Software.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Also, NFTs. Crypto Punk 281, One of 6039 Male punks (10,000 total), 0 attributes link

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Playing around with augmented reality and 3D objects, CiD student works.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Experiments in the physical world, designing prototypes of interfaces to bring back the sense of touch into design experiences

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Building and experimenting with physical objects and technology individually or collaboratively.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Physical interfaces designed using electronics and conductive paint, the design becomes the interface.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Physical interfaces designed using electronics and conductive paint, the design becomes the interface.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

United Visual Artists, The Great Animal Orchestra, 2016.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

United Visual Artists

 

UVA’s diverse body of work integrates new technologies with traditional media such as sculpture, performance and site-specific installation.

 

The Great Animal Orchestra is a performative space in which spectrograms specifically crafted for and generated by Bernie Krause’s soundscapes form an abstract projected landscape, a visual interpretation of the various global locations and times of day that Krause made the original recordings.

 

On the floor, in front of the projections a shallow pool of black-coloured water seamlessly reflects the data and brings another dimension to the work. Speakers generate ripples to visualise the sound frequencies inaudible to the human ear. The installation envelops the audience encouraging them to linger and reflect on the language of the living sounds and the phenomenon that each animal has its own acoustic signature in the oral tapestry of its ecosystem.

follow link for more

24–25

NONOTAK, DAYDREAM, 2013.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

NONOTAK

 

 

NONOTAK work with light & sound installations and performance pieces to create ethereal, immersive and dreamlike environments.

 

DAYDREAM is an audiovisual installation that generates space distortions. Relationship between space and time, accelerations, contractions, shifts and metamorphosis have been the lexical field of the project. This installation aimed at establishing a physical connection between the virtual space and the real space, blurring the limits and submerging the audience into a short detachment from reality. Lights generate abstract spaces while sounds define the echoes of virtual spaces. Daydream is an invitation to contemplation.

 

follow link for more

24–25

Ouchhh is a global creative new media studio. The Studio is a pioneer of data paintings & sculptures. link

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Ouchhh, loading ...

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Sougwen Chung and the mark-made-by-machine.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Olivia Jack, hydra, live coding tool.

Jessica In, She draws with code.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

John Maeda is an american technologist and product experience leader. Early catalyst for generative art and computational design for cultural + commercial applications across Web2 and Web3.

 

Maeda has been an influential figure at the intersection of media art, design, and technology since the 1990s. His students include contemporary leaders such as Golan Levin, Casey Reas, Ben Fry, and many others. He has authored books aimed at bringing computation closer to initially unrelated disciplines such as art and design.

Maeda served as the President of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), he was a Professor at the MIT Media Lab (The aesthetics and computation group link). His Design by Numbers project in the late 1990s  was aimed at artists and designers to learn to code.

 

Maeda has compiled a series of technical reports over the past few years to examine the current state of design based on the worldly conditions we find ourselves in today and potentially tomorrow. Take a look at the latest report from 2022 here.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

John Maeda defined three kinds of design as a working model to build upon: Classical Design, which pertains to the design of objects we use in the physical world, Design Thinking, which pertains to how organisations learn how to collaborate and innovate using ideation methods, and Computational Design, which pertains to any kind of creative activity that involves processors, memory, sensors, actuators, screens, and the network.

John Maeda in Design in Tech Report 2019

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

John Maeda defined three kinds of design as a working model to build upon: Classical Design, which pertains to the design of objects we use in the physical world, Design Thinking, which pertains to how organisations learn how to collaborate and innovate using ideation methods, and Computational Design, which pertains to any kind of creative activity that involves processors, memory, sensors, actuators, screens, and the network.

John Maeda in Design in Tech Report 2019

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Classical Design

Design Thinking

Computational Design

Thinking critically about Technology

Use all three kinds of Design

Understand Computation

Actively learning The New

Takeaway Points for Computation in Design

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

John Maeda defined three kinds of design as a working model to build upon: Classical Design, which pertains to the design of objects we use in the physical world, Design Thinking, which pertains to how organisations learn how to collaborate and innovate using ideation methods, and Computational Design, which pertains to any kind of creative activity that involves processors, memory, sensors, actuators, screens, and the network.

John Maeda in Design in Tech Report 2019

24–25

B-DC 332

Graduation Project

Computation in Design

Semester 1

Zach Lieberman

 

Zach Lieberman is an artist and educator based in New York City. He create artwork with code, and focus on building experimental drawing and animation tools. He make interactive environments that invite participants to become performers. His main focus is how computation can be used as medium for poetry.

 

Lieberman is a cofounder of the School for Poetic Computation. He is a professor (MIT Media Lab) at the Future Sketches group  which explores software as a medium for art and design, as well as how toolkits and pedagogical approaches can help inform a new generation of computational craft. In their work and courses they focus on computational sketches, often engaging with the past, as a way of suggesting different possible futures.

 

Zach Lieberman's website link

24–25

B-DC 332

Graduation Project

Computation in Design

Semester 1

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Learning code can be frustrating and it requires a lot of time and a lot of failure. Time and failure and misunderstanding.

To imbue a sense of optimism here is so important–to celebrate this as a new mode of working and to help students to realise that there's all these untapped ideas out there.

Zach Lieberman

Levin, Golan, and Tega Brain. Code as Creative Medium a Handbook for Computational Art and Design. The MIT Press, 2021. 

 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Flexible Visual Systems, the design manual for contemporary visual identities Martin Lorenz.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Not working or thinking in systems corresponds neither to our today's communication networks nor to contemporary communication behaviour. 

Martin Lorenz

Lorenz, Martin. Flexible Visual Systems: The Design Manual for Contemporary Visual Identities. Slanted Publishers, 2022. 

 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Explore

Ideate

Make

Test

Share

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Weekly Schedule

We will meet on a weekly basis every Wednesday at 9.30 in F301. For a breakdown of the weekly schedule, navigate downwards.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Computation, coding and design

1

Computational Literacy building 1

2

Computational Literacy building 2

3

Computational Literacy building 3

4

Introduction to the class and an overview of weekly topics, activities and workshops followed by warm-up activities

The anatomy of a program: syntax, flow, functions, variables, shapes, loops, conditionals.

What can coding do for you and what can you do with coding as a designer? In class activities are conducted in small groups to better understand the relevance, potential and application of code and computation

Structuring a program, planning and organising thoughts and ideas, documenting and taking care of visual materials created. Computational aesthetics with functions, loops, variables and movement.

Weekly Schedule

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied workshop 1.1

5

Applied workshop 1.2

6

Work check

7

Project week

8

In a series of workshops, students are split into smaller groups and will be introduced to topics previously covered in more detail and will be briefed to creatively apply coding in a small exercise for each workshop.

Workshop 1 continues and concludes at the end of the session, Workshop 1 outcomes due week 7

Process and progress review. Digital Portfolio and Creative Process Journal work check

Independent Study, students to review work check feedback and term 1 activities and topics covered

Weekly Schedule

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied workshop 2.1

9

Applied workshop 2.2

10

Applied workshop 3.1

11

Applied workshop 3.2

12

Students continue with their second workshop, introduction to topic and workshop briefing

Workshop 2 continues and concludes at the end of the session. Workshop 2 outcomes to be completed and due week 11

Students continue with their third workshop, introduction to topic and workshop briefing

Workshop 3 continues and concludes at the end of the session. Workshop 3 outcomes to be completed and due week 13

Weekly Schedule

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Submission compilation 

13

Independent Study

14

Assessment

15

Conclusion of the semester with sharing of outcomes. Submission briefing and assessment preparation of materials created over the course of the semester. We are nearing the end of the semester. In this session we will look at how to organise and present your semester work in a digital format, a pdf. You will be introduced to a template and briefed on your submission for assessment.

Use this week to work on your submission.

Your submission should include all materials as required and briefed.

Weekly Schedule

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Navigate downwards to learn more

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

How To

The Digital Portfolio is a digital archive which you will use to document your work based on activities and exercises  conducted in class.

Digital Portfolio

A given folder structure tells you which documents are required. You should update your Digital Portfolio regularly. There are three main elements that are required:

 

1. Archive (update regularly)

2. CPJ (update after class)

3. Summary (end of the semester)

 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Archive

CPJ

Summary

Download

Folder structure

Available for download as .zip from Google Drive

Document your process and outcomes

Archive and organise materials for submission

Read and follow the Digital Portfolio Guidelines

Keep(s) your work organised

 

Digital Portfolio

How To

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Archive

CPJ

Summary

Download

What  goes into the Archive folder? Outcomes like images, videos, code or written documents will be kept in the Archive. Here do follow the folder structure given for each exercise as well as the instructions given in class. Be concise and organised when labelling your files.

 

Digital Portfolio

How To

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Archive

CPJ

Summary

Download

Your CPJ should not only be descriptive, meaning: you should not only describe what you have done step by step, this  is not enough.

Instead, you should elaborate and reflect on your work and write about it: what worked well and what did not work so well, what problems occurred and how they were resolved.

 

What did you learn? What worked well? Were there any highlights or weird moments, anecdotes? You should analyse and reflect more and describe less.

 

This can be as brief as 70-120 words per weekly entry, but if you like to write more, please do.

Update weekly

Keep design and layout simple

Structure content well

Write between 70-120 words per week

Add between 4 to 10 images per week

Be less descriptive

Be more analytical and reflective

Digital Portfolio

How To

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Archive

CPJ

Summary

Download

For your final submission you will create a summary of selected outcomes that you will have created this semester. This summary will be in .pdf format and a template will be provided.

Digital Portfolio

How To

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Archive

CPJ

Summary

Download

Digital Portfolio

How To

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Archive

CPJ

Summary

Download

Digital Portfolio

How To

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Archive

CPJ

Summary

Download

Digital Portfolio

How To

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Archive

CPJ

Summary

Download

Digital Portfolio

How To

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Archive

CPJ

Summary

Download

Digital Portfolio

How To

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Digital Portfolio

Archive

CPJ

Summary

Download

Digital Portfolio

How To

After you have downloaded the Digital Portfolio, read the guidelines document. If unsure, go back to the document to review the handling of files etc.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Code Basics

This section gives an overview of basic coding concepts you should find useful to playfully explore activities and exercises for this class and creative coding in general.

syntax shape function variable conditional loop transformation object array .

24–25

p5js

code

sketch

editor

p5js is a creative coding environment, a community and a JavaScript library for creative coding, with a focus on making coding accessible and inclusive for artists, designers, educators, beginners, and anyone else. 

Code, simply put, is a set of instructions for programming a computer. In Creative Coding, we use instructions to create computer-generated results. Often visual, they can be static, dynamic, poetic, interactive and they can appear on a screen or on paper, as objects among many other things.

In Creative Coding, we call a sketch a computer program. Why a sketch? In art or design, a sketch is a common term for a rough and unfinished drawing, here a coded sketch should be seen similarly, rough and unfinished, to illustrate a thought, to bring a creative idea to life.

An editor, or more precisely a code editor, is a text editor program designed for editing source code for computer programs. In our particular case this semester, we will use a browser-based editor at editor.p5js.org, a web editor for p5js. For demos and tutorials we will use p5live.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

drawing and shapes

functions

loops

conditionals

transformations

variables

Core concepts

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

drawing and shapes

functions

loops

conditionals

transformations

variables

Core concepts

In creative coding, shapes are like building blocks that you can use to draw visual elements such as squares, circles, triangles, and more. By combining and arranging these shapes, you can create intricate designs and artwork, all by writing code to express your creativity in a visual and interactive way.

drawing and shapes

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

drawing and shapes

functions

loops

conditionals

transformations

variables

Core concepts

Functions in programming are like reusable recipes that take inputs, perform specific tasks, and give you outputs. They help organize and simplify code by allowing you to use the same set of instructions multiple times, making it easier to create complex designs and interactions in your projects.

 

 

 

functions

 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

drawing and shapes

functions

loops

conditionals

transformations

variables

Core concepts

In creative coding, loops are like a magical "copy and paste" tool that allows you to draw or repeat elements multiple times without writing the same code over and over. They save time and make it easy to create patterns, animations, and interactive designs by automating repetitive tasks.

 

 

loops

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

drawing and shapes

functions

loops

conditionals

transformations

variables

Core concepts

Conditionals in coding are like decision forks. You tell the computer to do something only if a certain condition is met. For example, if it's sunny, wear sunglasses; else, carry an umbrella. It helps your code make smart choices based on different situations, making it act like a smart assistant.

 

 

 

conditionals

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

drawing and shapes

functions

loops

conditionals

transformations

variables

Core concepts

Transformations in p5.js are like magic tricks for shapes. Think of a shape as a sticker on a sheet of paper. By using transformation commands like push() to save the current state, and pop() to go back, you can stretch, rotate, and move the shape around. It's like bending and twisting the paper without changing the sticker's original shape, making coded animations and designs.

 

 

 

 

transformations

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

drawing and shapes

functions

loops

conditionals

transformations

variables

Core concepts

Variables in coding act like labeled storage containers. They hold data that can change as your program runs. Think of them as virtual sticky notes where you can store numbers, words, or other information, making your code more flexible and responsive.

 

 

 

 

 

variables

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

setup

draw

function

rect

ellipse

line

coordinates

beginShape

endShape

vertex

Commands

The setup() function is called once when the program starts. read more

Called directly after setup(), the draw() function continuously executes the lines of code contained inside its block. read more

A function is a set of statements that perform a task. Optionally, functions can have parameters. read more

All shapes drawn to the screen have a position that is specified as a coordinate. read more

A rectangle is a four-sided closed shape. The first two parameters set the location of the upper-left corner, followed by width and height. read more

Draws an ellipse (oval) to the screen. The first two parameters set the location of center of the shape, followed by width and height. read more

Draws a line (a direct path between two points) to the screen. read more

Using the beginShape() and endShape() functions allow creating more complex forms. read more

beginShape() begins recording vertices for a shape and endShape() stops recording. read more

All shapes are constructed by connecting a series of vertices. vertex() is used to specify the vertex coordinates. read more

Code Basics

Drawing and shapes

Core concepts

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Code Basics

Functions

function setup( )

function draw( )

A function is simply a “chunk” of code, or a block of code, that you can use over and over again, rather than writing it out multiple times. Functions enable programmers to break down or decompose a problem into smaller chunks, each of which performs a particular task.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

function

parameters

arguments

Concepts

Example

Parameters are used in the definition of the function, between the brackets, eg. function add(x,y) here x and y are parameters.

A function is a set of statements that perform a task. Optionally, functions can have parameters. read more

Arguments are the actual values that get passed in when a function is called, eg. add(1,2) here 1 and 2 are arguments.

// 1. function without parameters:
// function hello1 will draw a rect at 0,0. 
// that's all it can do at the moment.
function hello1() {
  rect(0,0,100,100);
}
// call hello1 like this: hello1();

// 2. function with parameters
// hello2 takes 2 paramters, theX and theY
function hello2(theX, theY) {
  rect(theX, theY, 100, 100);
}

// when calling hello2() with 2 arguments
// these arguments will be passed on to the
// function as parameters theX and theY
// in the following call theX will be 50 and
// theY will become 200
// call hello2 like this: hello2(50,200);

Code Basics

Functions

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Transformation  is a concept that initially leaves you scratching your head. Why? Transformations act on the coordinate system rather than on shapes, and transformations are accumulative. Allison Perish has written an extensive and useful tutorial with examples here

translate

rotate by 180 degrees or PI

Code Basics

Transformations 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Commands

Example

When using transformations, the things you draw never change position; the coordinate system itself does. read more

push

pop

translate

rotate

scale

The push() function saves the current drawing style settings and transformations, while pop() restores these settings. read more

The push() and pop() functions can be embedded to provide more control over the positioning and rotation of shapes. read more

Specifies an amount to displace objects within the display window. read more

Rotates a shape by the amount specified by the angle parameter. read more

Increases or decreases the size of a shape by expanding or contracting vertices. read more

// use transformations to draw 2 rects
function draw() {
  fill(0,0,255,100);
  noStroke();
  
  // draw a rect at coordinate 50,200
  // without moving the rect but the
  // coordinate system using translate
  push();
  translate(50,200);
  rect(0,0,100,100)
  pop();
  
  // same as above but now we rotate
  // the rect by 45° (using radians)
  push();
  translate(50,200);
  rotate(HALF_PI); 
  rect(0,0,100,100)
  pop();

}

Above commands are called transformations

Code Basics

Transformations 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

A for loop repeats one or more statements a given number of times.

use a for-loop to create multiple copies 

Code Basics

Loops

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

use a for-loop to create multiple copies 

for(let i=0;i<10;i++) { }

A for-loop, followed in parentheses, the for-loop takes three arguments, initialization, condition and variable modification

The first argument i.e. initialization runs only one time before the execution of the loop; It initializes a variable which is used in the condition for the loop.

The second argument i.e. condition is evaluated before every iteration; the loop terminates when this condition is satisfied. in this example when i is 10 or bigger, then the loop will exit.

The third and the last argument variable modification is used to modify the value of the variable used in condition after every iteration of the loop.

All statements go in between the curly brackets.

A for loop repeats one or more statements a given number of times.

Code Basics

Loops

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Commands

Example

for

for creates a loop that is useful for executing one section of code multiple times. read more

function setup() {
  createCanvas(800, 800);
}

function draw() {
  background(0);
  stroke(255);
  noFill();
  push();
  translate(100,100);
  // here we will use a for-loop to draw
  // 10 rectangles vertically with a distance
  // of 50 pixels.
  for(let i=0;i<10;i++) {
    push();
    translate(0,i*50);
    rect(0,0,600,20);
    pop();
  }
  // the for-loop ends here after 10 rects
  // have been drawn, see code between {} (above).
  pop();
}

A 'for loop' consists of three different expressions inside of a parenthesis.These expressions are used to control the number of times the loop is run. read more

The concept of for-loops

Code Basics

Loops

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Decision making

do things when condition is false

Computers can be programmed to make decisions, to do different things in different circumstances. Decisions take the form of an if-then format. They start with a condition, which is then evaluated as either True or False.

 

do things when condition is true

true

false

Code Basics

Conditionals 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Computers can be programmed to make decisions, to do different things in different circumstances.

Decisions take the form of an if-then format. They start with a condition, which is then evaluated as either True or False.

 

Code Basics

Conditionals 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

When programs are allowed to make decisions, the outcome is non-linear.

Code Basics

Conditionals 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

When programs are allowed to make decisions, the outcome is non-linear.

Code Basics

Conditionals 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Commands

Example

if

Use if to specify a block of code to be executed, if a specified condition is met and true read more

else

else if

true

false

Use else to specify a block of code to be executed, if the same condition is false  read more

The push() and pop() functions can be embedded to provide more control over the positioning and rotation of shapes. read more

Also known as boolean, true when condition is fulfilled read more

Also known as boolean, false when condition is not fulfilled read more

// if–else
// check if mouse is pressed or not
function check2() {
  if (mouseIsPressed === true) {
    background(0,255,0);
  } else {
    background(255,0,0);
  }
}

// if–else if–else
// 3 checks based on the location 
// of mouseX which will change the 
// background color accordingly
function check3() {
  if(mouseX<100) {
    background(255,0,0);
  } else if(mouseX>100 && mouseX<200) {
    background(0,255,0);
  } else {
    background(0,0,255);
  }
}

Code Basics

Conditionals 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

function

parameters

arguments

push

pop

translate

rotate

scale

Concepts

Commands

Parameters are used in the definition of the function, between the brackets, eg. function add(x,y) here x and y are parameters.

A function is a set of statements that perform a task. Optionally, functions can have parameters. read more

Arguments are the actual values that get passed in when a function is called, eg. add(1,2) here 1 and 2 are arguments.

The push() function saves the current drawing style settings and transformations, while pop() restores these settings. read more

The push() and pop() functions can be embedded to provide more control over the positioning and rotation of shapes. read more

Specifies an amount to displace objects within the display window. read more

Rotates a shape by the amount specified by the angle parameter. read more

Increases or decreases the size of a shape by expanding or contracting vertices. read more

transform

When using transformations, the things you draw never change position; the coordinate system itself does. read more

mouse

We can query and use the mouse's location and button state (see interactivity) read more

Code Basics

24–25

Reading Resources

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Online Resources

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24–25

Coding Spectrum

No Code

Low Code

Some Code

All Code

Requires few to no code to quickly build an application. This doesn't mean there is no code involved, the code just all runs in the background. Often purely UI, pull-down and drag-and-drop based.

Similar to No Code, however, some code is exposed in the application development environment you are using. Although often related to visual programming environments, a basic understanding of coding concepts is useful.

Limited to the tool

Some customisation possible

Some coding skills required 

Build your own

Wordpress

TouchDesigner

Code templates

Blender

html, css, JavaScript

Code frameworks (p5js, Processing)

Scripting

Python

Arduino

Unity

Knowing and understanding some code as a designer allows you to innovate, collaborate better, and communicate across disciplines when technical expertise is required. Basic knowledge in software and hardware development required–can be acquired through practice.

This is when you are able to build your own software with ease. Needless to say this needs time and practice but allows you to create your own tools applied to your design practice.

Cargo and similar website builder

Figma

Spark AR

Prompting (Midjourney, Dall-e, etc.)

Pen and Paper

Text Editor

Any programming language

Command Line

Git

B-DC 232

Live Project with R/GA

Computation in Design

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Learning-to-code assistant

In this class, we will introduce ChatGPT as a learning-to-code assistant. It will help students understand and solve basic technical concepts and problems, both in groups and individually. ChatGPT excels at explaining technical concepts and providing coding examples.

The suggested code snippets from ChatGPT can then be further modified, extended, sculpted by students to achieve an (un)expected outcome based on briefs given. It is the playfulness and the experience we wish to expose students to in order to better learn, understand and apply tech as part of their own practice.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ChatGPT

AI Generators

ChatGPT works with algorithms and is trained to generate human-like text that can be used in conversation. It can answer questions, provide information, and engage in natural language discussions with users.


Some potential use cases for ChatGPT include customer service chatbots, virtual assistants, and conversational interfaces for websites or mobile apps. It can also be used to generate content for social media or create chatbot scripts for marketing or entertainment purposes.


Overall, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for creating chatbots that can have intelligent and engaging conversations with users.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ChatGPT

AI Generators

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ChatGPT

AI Generators

ask ChatGPT or Bing to explain something that you already know a lot about. Are the answers accurate?

Lets take 15 minutes to

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ChatGPT

How To

ChatGPT

Generative AI

AI models that can generate open-ended content, often creative content like visuals, music or text.

 

LLMs

Large Language Models, are advanced computer programs designed to understand and generate human-like text.  

Prompting

AI chat prompting is a technique where a computer program provides suggested text or other outputs to help users engage in natural language conversations with AI or to generate creative outcomes like visuals for example.

 

Hallucination

AI hallucination refers to a situation where an AI system generates content that is not accurate or based on real information, often creating fictional or misleading outputs.

 

Bias

Bias in AI refers to the presence of unfair or skewed representations and decisions made by artificial intelligence systems, potentially leading to unequal treatment or inaccurate conclusions.

What is this about?

 

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ChatGPT

How To

ChatGPT

How does that work? How do generative language models work?

 

Predicts words based on previous text given and the data the model has been trained on.

 

To us this looks like magic, to the computer it is a gigantic pile of data that an algorithm ploughs through.

How does this work in the browser at chat.openai.com?

 

ChatGPT provides a free version which you can sign up for at chat.openai.com. You can then use ChatGPT in the browser but also on your phone.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ChatGPT

How To

ChatGPT

What are some of the opportunities that ChatGPT provides us with?

 

We can use ChatGPT as a coding assistant for this class. This does not mean that ChatGPT will do all the work for you, but it will be able to support you in completing the exercises and assignments we give you.

Still, this class is about design and giving form to ideas through code.

What should you be mindful of?

 

ChatGPT can be a very powerful tool and it will, already is, embedded in many applications that we use on a daily basis, hence, it is important that we, you, are able to use this tool. However, we should not blindly trust the technology and we must be mindful and considerate in the content that we prompt and produce. You need to be responsible.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ChatGPT

How To

ChatGPT

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ChatGPT

How To

ChatGPT

Prompting tips

 

Study with ChatGPT, ask questions that you want to ask your teacher or google

 

Summarise concepts for you, for example coding concepts like loops: Can you explain to me the coding concept of loops, I am using p5js and it would be great if you could explain it to a newbie student? or Can you explain to me the coding concept of loops, I am using p5js and it would be great if you could explain it to a child?

 

Explain it to a child

 

Ask for example code that specifically addresses a concept like shapes: can you give me some p5js code that demonstrates the beginShape vertex and endShape commands?

 

Ask  ChatGPT to break down a response into steps: I want to create a p5js sketch with 5 different shapes at random locations and with different colors. Can you break down the steps for me to take? I am using the p5js online editor.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ChatGPT

How To

Acknowledging the use of generative AI

You are free to use generative AI tools like ChatGPT in any way that helps you in your learning for this class. However, any usage of generative AI must be properly acknowledged.

 

At the very least, you need to provide a statement of use that clarifies what, if any, technologies you employed to create content while working on your assignment.

 

It is important that when using ChatGPT, you are treating it as a tutoring session by questions about code you may not understand or want to know more about, and it is not advisable to use ChatGPT to write your whole project in code for you.

Remember that you are in school to learn and become an independent learner and eventually an expert in your field of study and practice.

 

Generative AI tools can help you achieve your ideas, visions, futures, but keep in mind that the quality of your work is determined by talent, practice and knowledge.

24–25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ChatGPT

How To

Others

click options on the right

Tools

Playground

24–25

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Introduction and overview of the Computation in Design class followed by a drawing and coding activity.

Computation, coding and design

1

Why are we learning to code?

What are we learning?

How are we learning?

What are we learning for?

Code is the language that today's technologies run on. Although code is often seen as a more scientific and technical matter, it is now an increasingly important aspect of a designer's toolkit, processes, and knowledge. Also, we can make beautiful things with it. 

We will learn basic and foundational coding skills to create visual outputs. We will learn to structure and apply commands to create browser based computer programs. Through demos, exercises and a final project brief we will learn and practice creative coding and share our findings.

We will use a coding environment called p5js which is a JavaScript library for Creative Coding, with a focus on making coding accessible and inclusive for artists, designers, educators, beginners, and anyone else. p5js will be our main coding tool and environment to learn and practice.

We are learning to build a better understanding of the mechanisms that constitute a computer program. With this foundation and basic understanding of what code is, how code feels, what code can do, the aim is to make code a part of your designer's toolkit.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

p5js

code

sketch

editor

p5js is a creative coding environment, a community and a JavaScript library for creative coding, with a focus on making coding accessible and inclusive for artists, designers, educators, beginners, and anyone else. 

Code, simply put, is a set of instructions for programming a computer. In Creative Coding, we use instructions to create computer-generated results. Often visual, they can be static, dynamic, poetic, interactive and they can appear on a screen or on paper, as objects among many other things.

In Creative Coding, we call a sketch a computer program. Why a sketch? In art or design, a sketch is a common term for a rough and unfinished drawing, here a coded sketch should be seen similarly, rough and unfinished, to illustrate a thought, to bring a creative idea to life.

An editor, or more precisely a code editor, is a text editor program designed for editing source code for computer programs. In our particular case this semester, we will use a browser-based editor at editor.p5js.org, a web editor for p5js. For demos and tutorials we will use p5live.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

p5js editor. Your main tool to develop your sketches with. It is best to create a free account so that you can save your sketches with p5js

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Here is a brief rundown of the editor's interface.

24-25

1

2

3

4

5





 

6
















 

7





 

8

Main menu bar of the p5 web editor lets you access commonly used commands.

1

Use this section here to login or create an account.

2

Run/stop your sketch with these buttons. Enabling ‘Auto-refresh’ will reload the sketch whenever code is updated in the editor.

3

This is the public title of your sketch. Click on the pencil icon to rename it.

4

Click here to access the settings for the editor.

5

This is where you write all the code for your sketches. Notice the numbers along the left edge indicating specific lines of code.

6

The preview area is where you see the visual outcome of the code you write.

7

This is where JavaScript “talks” to you by displaying errors & other information.

8

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Ada Lovelace (1815 - 1852), although not an artist but considered the first computer programmer, asked in a letter to her mother, who was terrified that Ada might end up being a poet like her father: “if you can’t give me poetry, can’t you give me poetical science?” Can code be poetry? Can code make poetry? Can code make visual poetry?

via Ada Lovelace, the first Tech Visionary. New Yorker, 2013.

poetically: with an imaginative or sensitively emotional style of expression.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

syntax

flow

shapes

transformation

loops

conditionals

functions

demotime

The anatomy of a program

syntax

flow

shapes

Ask ChatGPT about code that you don't understand, ask for an explanation for a particular command and to give a simple example.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Demo 1, shaping

Starting with a dot

Zach Lieberman

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Max Bill, Poster, 1980s.

Iterations click letters to view

Demo 2, iteration

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Learning objective for activity 1 and 2

In activity 1 and 2 you are tasked to look through code examples and make changes. This is to give you a first look and feel for code in a playful way.

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

For this first activity, choose one or more of the provided p5js sketches by clicking on the image in one of the following slides. A sketch here is the equivalent of a drawing sketch, but with code.

 

In your group try one or more of the sketches provided and make changes to the code that will show on the left side of the browser window. Above the code section, tick the Auto-refresh box then press the Play button next to it to run the sketch.

 

The easiest is to make changes to the numbers in the code.

 

It is probably more fun to do this in a group than alone. Let one of your group members share their screen and make changes to the code. Use the  line numbers to identify the line of code you want to make changes to.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Go to next slide (navigate downwards)

Part

1 of 2

Group work

24-25

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

Inside the code there are comments (grey text) that humans can read, but the machine doesn’t care much about. You can follow some of the hints given in these comments. 

 

You might break things, but that’s ok. If errors show up in the console, you can fix them or reload the page.

 

Note down and share any idea or application that may emerge while making changes.

Do one screenshots per group member of the rendered image during or at the end of the 30 minutes, give it a title.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Share your screenshots with your lecturers via Google Drive and we will make an online gallery.

Group work

30

24-25

Part

2 of 2

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Share your screenshots with your lecturers via Google Drive and we will make an online gallery.

Group work

Format

Filename

jpg at 72dpi, square, 800x800 pixels

studentID-title.jpg

Now that you know what is expected of you to submit, go to the next slides to find five sketches to work with, select one that you like best.

24-25

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

For this activity, choose one or more of the provided p5js sketches by clicking on the image in one of the following slides. A sketch here is the equivalent of a drawing sketch, but with code. In your group try one or more of the sketches and make changes to the code that will show on the left side of the browser window. Above the code section, tick the Auto-refresh box then press the Play button next to it to run the sketch.

 

The easiest is to make changes to the numbers.

 

It is probably more fun to do this in a group than alone. Let one of your group members share their screen and make changes to the code. Use the  line numbers to identify the line of code you want to make changes to. Inside the code there are comments (grey text) that humans can read, but the machine doesn’t care much about. You can follow some of the hints given in these comments. You might break things, but that’s ok. If errors show up in the console, you can fix them or reload the page.

 

Note down and share any idea or application that may emerge.

 

Do take up to 5 screenshots of the rendered image during or at the end of the 15 minutes, give it a title. Share your screenshots with your lecturers via Google Drive and we will make an online gallery.

 

1 Delaunay Shape

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

2 Waves

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

For this activity, choose one or more of the provided p5js sketches by clicking on the image in one of the following slides. A sketch here is the equivalent of a drawing sketch, but with code. In your group try one or more of the sketches and make changes to the code that will show on the left side of the browser window. Above the code section, tick the Auto-refresh box then press the Play button next to it to run the sketch.

 

The easiest is to make changes to the numbers.

 

It is probably more fun to do this in a group than alone. Let one of your group members share their screen and make changes to the code. Use the  line numbers to identify the line of code you want to make changes to. Inside the code there are comments (grey text) that humans can read, but the machine doesn’t care much about. You can follow some of the hints given in these comments. You might break things, but that’s ok. If errors show up in the console, you can fix them or reload the page.

 

Note down and share any idea or application that may emerge.

 

Do take up to 5 screenshots of the rendered image during or at the end of the 15 minutes, give it a title. Share your screenshots with your lecturers via Google Drive and we will make an online gallery.

 

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

3 Dancing Shapes

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

For this activity, choose one or more of the provided p5js sketches by clicking on the image in one of the following slides. A sketch here is the equivalent of a drawing sketch, but with code. In your group try one or more of the sketches and make changes to the code that will show on the left side of the browser window. Above the code section, tick the Auto-refresh box then press the Play button next to it to run the sketch.

 

The easiest is to make changes to the numbers.

 

It is probably more fun to do this in a group than alone. Let one of your group members share their screen and make changes to the code. Use the  line numbers to identify the line of code you want to make changes to. Inside the code there are comments (grey text) that humans can read, but the machine doesn’t care much about. You can follow some of the hints given in these comments. You might break things, but that’s ok. If errors show up in the console, you can fix them or reload the page.

 

Note down and share any idea or application that may emerge.

 

Do take up to 5 screenshots of the rendered image during or at the end of the 15 minutes, give it a title. Share your screenshots with your lecturers via Google Drive and we will make an online gallery.

 

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

4 I don't like black-white so much

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

For this activity, choose one or more of the provided p5js sketches by clicking on the image in one of the following slides. A sketch here is the equivalent of a drawing sketch, but with code. In your group try one or more of the sketches and make changes to the code that will show on the left side of the browser window. Above the code section, tick the Auto-refresh box then press the Play button next to it to run the sketch.

 

The easiest is to make changes to the numbers.

 

It is probably more fun to do this in a group than alone. Let one of your group members share their screen and make changes to the code. Use the  line numbers to identify the line of code you want to make changes to. Inside the code there are comments (grey text) that humans can read, but the machine doesn’t care much about. You can follow some of the hints given in these comments. You might break things, but that’s ok. If errors show up in the console, you can fix them or reload the page.

 

Note down and share any idea or application that may emerge.

 

Do take up to 5 screenshots of the rendered image during or at the end of the 15 minutes, give it a title. Share your screenshots with your lecturers via Google Drive and we will make an online gallery.

 

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

5 Slitscan ascending

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

For this activity, choose one or more of the provided p5js sketches by clicking on the image in one of the following slides. A sketch here is the equivalent of a drawing sketch, but with code. In your group try one or more of the sketches and make changes to the code that will show on the left side of the browser window. Above the code section, tick the Auto-refresh box then press the Play button next to it to run the sketch.

 

The easiest is to make changes to the numbers.

 

It is probably more fun to do this in a group than alone. Let one of your group members share their screen and make changes to the code. Use the  line numbers to identify the line of code you want to make changes to. Inside the code there are comments (grey text) that humans can read, but the machine doesn’t care much about. You can follow some of the hints given in these comments. You might break things, but that’s ok. If errors show up in the console, you can fix them or reload the page.

 

Note down and share any idea or application that may emerge.

 

Do take up to 5 screenshots of the rendered image during or at the end of the 15 minutes, give it a title. Share your screenshots with your lecturers via Google Drive and we will make an online gallery.

 

24-25

After you have completed activity 1, upload your images to the Google Drive

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Archive activity 1 in your Digital Portfolio

activity-1_1.jpg

activity-1_2.jpg

activity-1_3.jpg

activity-1_4.jpg

images

Video

activity-1-recording.mp4

docx

activity-1-description.docx

Write 50-80 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketch, too.

This is optional: make a timelapse video when making changes to the code and 

Up to four code images should demonstrate the visuals produced by code at different stages. They should demonstrate the variety of your exploration.

prepare and archive the the screenshots you have taken as outlined below. The screenshots should only show the image only, not the code. 

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

24-25

We take a short break to put together the gallery.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Ok, gallery of outcomes is up, click image.

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Code to Drawing

Activity 2

Visit three p5js sketches

Select one to work with

Take a screenshot

Create a drawing from screenshot

Take a picture of your drawing

Write a short description

Print screenshot and drawing on A4

Bring prints to next week's class

How

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Homework and Deliverables

For Activity 2 the following items must be archived in your Digital Portfolio under activity-2

activity-2_1.jpg

activity-2_2.jpg

images

docx

activity-2-description.docx

Write 50-80 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

Code to Drawing

Activity 2

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 2

Homework

Complete Activity 2

Code to Drawing

Activity 2

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Let's develop an initial understanding of computation and (creative) coding through demos and visual exercises

 

The anatomy of a program: syntax, flow, functions, variables, shapes, loops, conditionals.

Computational Literacy building 1

2

24-25

What

Homework show-and-tell. The expected outcome from activity 2 is two printouts on A4. Paste your printouts on the studio walls (arranged by class) so we can look at it and discuss it as a group. Take photos of your work, keep a digital copy of your printouts.

Deliverables for this activity are underlined, do archive them in your Digital Portfolio under activity-2.

 

Please name them

studentid-activity-2-screenshot.jpg

studentid-activity-2-drawing.jpg

Image via @ecal_ch

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Code and Draw

Activity 2

Sharing

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Learning code can be frustrating and it requires a lot of time and a lot of failure. Time and failure and misunderstanding.

To imbue a sense of optimism here is so important–to celebrate this as a new mode of working and to help students to realise that there's all these untapped ideas out there.

Zach Lieberman

Levin, Golan, and Tega Brain. Code as Creative Medium a Handbook for Computational Art and Design. The MIT Press, 2021. 

 

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

setup

draw

function

rect

ellipse

line

coordinates

beginShape

endShape

vertex

Concepts

Commands

The setup() function is called once when the program starts. read more

Called directly after setup(), the draw() function continuously executes the lines of code contained inside its block. read more

A function is a set of statements that perform a task. Optionally, functions can have parameters. read more

All shapes drawn to the screen have a position that is specified as a coordinate. read more

A rectangle is a four-sided closed shape. The first two parameters set the location of the upper-left corner, followed by width and height. read more

Draws an ellipse (oval) to the screen. The first two parameters set the location of center of the shape, followed by width and height. read more

Draws a line (a direct path between two points) to the screen. read more

Using the beginShape() and endShape() functions allow creating more complex forms. read more

beginShape() begins recording vertices for a shape and endShape() stops recording. read more

All shapes are constructed by connecting a series of vertices. vertex() is used to specify the vertex coordinates. read more

Code Basics

Drawing and shapes

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Code Basics

Functions

function setup( )

function draw( )

A function is simply a “chunk” of code, or a block of code, that you can use over and over again, rather than writing it out multiple times. Functions enable programmers to break down or decompose a problem into smaller chunks, each of which performs a particular task.

24-25

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Learning objective for activity 3

Activity 3 asks you to draw shapes using pen and code. You will learn a basic set of commands to draw primitive shapes as well as vector based shapes.

background, fill, stroke, noStroke, rect, ellipse, text, beginShape, endShape, vertex

Where you see shapes, I see code

Ask ChatGPT about code that you don't understand, ask for an explanation for a particular command and to give a simple example.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

3.1

In teams of 2, use the image to the right as a reference point and inspiration to create a coded sketch that echoes the arrangement of the colourful stickers in the foreground. Keep the background of your sketch white.

sketch-size

800x800 pixels

commands

background, fill, noStroke, rect, ellipse, text

anatomy

syntax, flow, shapes

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

3.1

In teams of 2, use the image to the right as a reference point and inspiration to create a coded sketch that echoes the arrangement of the colourful stickers in the foreground. Keep the background of your sketch white.

sketch-size

800x800 pixels

commands

background, fill, noStroke, rect, ellipse, text

anatomy

syntax, flow, shapes

20

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

3.2

Step 1/2

Step 1: In teams of 2, design an organic shape that resembles an everyday object. Use the same style as shown in the picture to the right, plain black on plain colour. Draw the shape on paper first, start in the top left corner at the origin 0,0. Then proceed to the next slide.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

Step 1: In teams of 2, design an organic shape that resembles an everyday object. Use the same style as shown in the picture to the right, plain black on plain colour. Draw the shape on paper first, start in the top left corner at the origin 0,0. Then proceed to the next slide.

15

3.2

Step 1/2

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Step 2: Copy over the shape you have drawn on paper to p5js. Use the template sketch as a starting point. 

 

1. Draw your object using these commands:
beginShape(), endShape(), vertex()

2. write commands into a function called myShape()

3. rename all occurrences of myShape() with a made-up name that describes your object

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

sketch-size

800x800 pixels

commands

beginShape, endShape, vertex, push, pop, translate

anatomy

syntax, flow, function, shapes

3.2

Step 2/2

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

sketch-size

800x800 pixels

commands

beginShape, endShape, vertex, push, pop, translate

anatomy

syntax, flow, function, shapes

3.2

Step 2/2

// starter-code for activity 3.2

function setup() {
  createCanvas(800, 800);
}

function draw() {
  background(0);
  myShape();
}

function myShape() {
}

Step 2: Copy over the shape you have drawn on paper to p5js. Use the template sketch as a starting point. 

 

1. Draw your object using these commands:
beginShape(), endShape(), vertex()

2. write commands into a function called myShape()

3. rename all occurrences of myShape() with a made-up name that describes your object

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

20

Step 2: Copy over the shape you have drawn on paper to p5js. Use the template sketch as a starting point. 

 

1. Draw your object using these commands:
beginShape(), endShape(), vertex()

2. write commands into a function called myShape()

3. rename all occurrences of myShape() with a made-up name that describes your object

sketch-size

800x800 pixels

commands

beginShape, endShape, vertex, push, pop, translate

anatomy

syntax, flow, function, shapes

3.2

Step 2/2

24-25

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

demotime

The anatomy of a program

syntax

flow

shapes

transformation

loops

conditionals

functions

syntax

flow

shapes

transformation

 

Ask ChatGPT about code that you don't understand, ask for an explanation for a particular command and to give a simple example.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

push

pop

translate

rotate

mouseX

mouseY

demotime

Transformations

Ask ChatGPT about code that you don't understand, ask for an explanation for a particular command and to give a simple example.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Transformation  is a concept that initially leaves you scratching your head. Why? Transformations act on the coordinate system rather than on shapes, and transformations are accumulative. Allison Perish has written an extensive and useful tutorial with examples here

translate

rotate by 180 degrees or PI

Code Basics

Transformations 

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Commands

Example

When using transformations, the things you draw never change position; the coordinate system itself does. read more

push

pop

translate

rotate

scale

The push() function saves the current drawing style settings and transformations, while pop() restores these settings. read more

The push() and pop() functions can be embedded to provide more control over the positioning and rotation of shapes. read more

Specifies an amount to displace objects within the display window. read more

Rotates a shape by the amount specified by the angle parameter. read more

Increases or decreases the size of a shape by expanding or contracting vertices. read more

// use transformations to draw 2 rects
function draw() {
  fill(0,0,255,100);
  noStroke();
  
  // draw a rect at coordinate 50,200
  // without moving the rect but the
  // coordinate system using translate
  push();
  translate(50,200);
  rect(0,0,100,100)
  pop();
  
  // same as above but now we rotate
  // the rect by 45° (using radians)
  push();
  translate(50,200);
  rotate(HALF_PI); 
  rect(0,0,100,100)
  pop();

}

Above commands are called transformations

Code Basics

Transformations 

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Example

Drawing a rotating shape

Code Basics

Transformations 

Commands

When using transformations, the things you draw never change position; the coordinate system itself does. read more

push

pop

translate

rotate

scale

Above commands are used to perform transformations on 2D and 3D forms

24-25

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Learning objective for activity 3.3

Transformation is a concept that is not immediately clear, but it makes working with more complex forms and compositions so much easier.

push, pop, translate, rotate, scale

Transformations

Ask ChatGPT about code that you don't understand, ask for an explanation for a particular command and to give a simple example.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Activity 3

3.3

Prepare your sketch so that you draw only one shape, which is contained in a function myShape(). 

 

In a first step, we surround the shape code with push() and pop(). We use push() and pop() to group shapes together.

We will the use the translate() command to move the position of the shape. the translate() command requires 2 parameters, 2 numbers in between the parentheses separated by a comma. The first number represents the x-location, the second the y-location.

concepts

function, parameters, arguments

commands

mouseX, mouseY, push, pop, translate

Where you see shapes, I see code.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

Homework and Deliverables

For Activity 3 the following items must be archived in your Digital Portfolio under activity-3

activity-3-1-coding.jpg

activity-3-2-drawing.jpg

activity-3-2-coding.jpg

activity-3-3-coding.jpg

images

Video

activity-3-drawing-coding.mp4

docx

activity-3-description.docx

Write 70-120 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

Create a short video, 10-20 seconds long, that presents the process, team work and outcomes of your activity 3 work.  

These 8 coding images should demonstrate the progress you have made, when you screenshot your p5js canvas, exclude the code part, rendered image only.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 3

Homework

Complete Activity 3

Reading for-week-3 click here

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

How can we instruct a computer to draw us some shapes using code

What can coding do for you and what can you do with coding as a designer?
 

Computational Literacy building 2

3

24-25

What

Homework show-and-tell. The expected outcome from activity 3 is a series of images, a video and a written description. To review some of the outcomes we will random pick some of your works.

Deliverables for this activity are underlined, do archive them in your Digital Portfolio under activity-3

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

Sharing

24-25

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

What do your lecturers do with code? Some visual examples of your lecturers' work.

quickshots

Manfred Mohr reading
Computer Graphics
~1970s

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

(RE)ROOTING (2021)
By Jo Ho, Presented on National Gallery Singapore Facade during Light to Night Festival 2021

Tools: TouchDesigner, Projection Mapping, Adobe After Effects, Runway ML

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Various live visuals (2021-2023)
By Jo Ho

Tools: TouchDesigner, Projection Mapping, Adobe After Effects, Runway ML

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

a developing slate (2024)
By Jo Ho, Presented at Ames Yavuz in Gillman Barracks

Tools: p5js, Adobe After Effects, Runway ML

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Simulacra 1.0 (2023)
By jo+kapi, Presented at HATCH Art Project at the exhibition Machinations of a Godless Mind

Tools: TouchDesigner, Live webcam feed, Web sockets, Interactive Installation

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

ENZYME 1.2 (2023)
By jo+kapi, presented at Art Science Museum at the exhibition Notes from the Ether

Tools: p5js, Stable Diffusion, Interactive Installation

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Macrocosmic Flux (2016)
By Kapilan Naidu, generative software on LED Wall
Permanent collection of NTU Media Art Nexus

Tools: Processing, LTA Datamall API

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Synthetic Visions For A Future Past (Jurong Dreaming)  [2023]
By Kapilan Naidu, screen-based installation, commissioned by
Singapore Art Museum for Data Visualising Jurong

Tools: Stable Diffusion, GPT-4, Replicate, Web Sockets, p5js, Raspberry Pi

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

soliloquy series  (2024 - present)
By Kapilan Naidu, custom software & LLMs on LED wall
Presented at Fortune Center as part of Crossroads 2024 and Ames Yavuz as part of Paratext

Tools: Stable Diffusion, Runway ML, Ollama, Llama 3, Mistral 7-B, html, css, javascript

soliloquy_bbb, 2024

soliloquy_nlp (Stochastic Philosopher), 2024

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

No Mans Land
By Dhiya, live visuals set for Inch Chua at ArtScience Museum

Tools: Arduino, Processing, LEDs

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

A New Wave, kinetic sculpture
By Dhiya (neuewave), Industry project for a showroom

Tools: Arduino, electronics, LEDs, custom-built structure

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

SG50 at Esplanade
Dhiya with SWELL

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

AB-zine and Kinetic Type Shop (2023)
By Andreas, for a workshop in Doha, Qatar

Tools: p5js, Arduino, risograph printing

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Audio-visual live performances (ongoing)
By Andreas with Electromagnetic Objects and Black Zenith

Tools: p5js, nodejs, shaders, Processing, Arduino, sensors

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

The Oort Cloud and the Blue Mountain (since 2018)
By Andreas with family, site-specific interactive installation

2019

2022

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Instructions are part of our everyday lives. It can be used to describe a series of steps to achieve the desired outcome, and it can be applied across a wide range of applications, from house chores to creative processes.

What are Instructions?

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Sol LeWitt was an iconic American artist whose work helped to establish both Minimalism and Conceptual Art. LeWitt’s practice was based primarily within his own intellect, establishing a rubric of formal instructions which his assistants followed to create the works. Some of the artist’s most integral pieces are his Wall Drawings, in which he explored myriad variations of applying drawn lines onto walls.

 

Sol LeWitt

Considered by many as the figurehead for conceptual art, LeWitt briefly studied art at Syracuse University before being called up for the Korean War in 1951. Once he returned, he soon worked for a year as a graphic designer. It wasn’t until he encountered the early works of Jasper Johns and Frank Stella that he realised that Minimalism was the way for him to pursue his passion. However unlike minimalist artists, LeWitt was not interested in Industrial materials, but rather became fascinated with systems and ideas. This then kick-started his revolutionary body of work, where the idea and system was the art, not the product itself.

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

1. On a piece of A3 size paper, use a hard pencil or pen

Instructional Drawing 1

2. Place 20 points at random positions

3. The points should be evenly distributed over the area of the paper

4. All the points should be connected by straight lines

What

How

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4.1

20

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

1. Mark out 4cm dots of a grid covering a piece of A3 size paper

All lines should connect to grid points

2.  Twenty-four lines from the center

4.  Twelve lines from each corner.

How

3.  Twelve lines from the midpoint of each of the sides

The length of the lines and their placement are determined by the drafter, you.

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4.2

24-25

Instructional Drawing 2

What

20

What

Show-and-tell.

 

Upload your drawings from activity 4.1 and 4.2 so we can look at it and discuss about them.

 

Take photos of your work, keep a digital copy of your printouts.

Image via @ecal_ch

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Code and Draw

Activity 2

Uploading

24-25

Please name each file

studentid-activity-4.1-drawing.jpg

studentid-activity-4.2-drawing.jpg

 

5

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Good Practice. Document your work and nicely clean up your photos so that the background is plain-white and the lines are crispy-black. 

Activity 4

24-25

Instructional Drawings

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4.3

24-25

Instructional Drawing 3A

What

20

1. On a piece of A4 size paper, sketch a simple drawing within a square area

2. On a separate paper, write instructions for someone else simple enough to recreate your drawing in code

3. Before handing your instructions to the lecturers, write your name behind the instructions

4. On each table, put your instructions in a pile. Each table should have their own pile.

How

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4.3

24-25

Instructional Drawing 3B

What

40

1. At each table, shuffle the pile of instructions and distribute them to each other (same table)

2. With these instructions, open p5js and create a canvas on 800 x 800 and start to draw, following these instructions

3. Once done, screenshot your drawing and print it out on an A4 paper, write your name behind

4. Next week, we will pin our sketches up and compare them to the original sketches alongside the instructions

How

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Learning objective for activity 4

Giving instructions to a computer sounds easier than it is. Computers are not the smartest without  proper instructions, and the more precise our instructions are, the more accurate the results we have imagined.

Instructional Drawing

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

An algorithm is a series of steps that allow you to perform a particular task.

 

Jim Campbell, Formula for Computer Art. http://www.jimcampbell.tv, 1996/2003.

Activity 4

Instructional Drawings

After you have completed Activity 4.3, upload your coding outcome to the Google Drive

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Activity 4

Homework and Deliverables

For Activity 4 the following items must be archived in your Digital Portfolio under activity-3

activity-4-1-drawing.jpg

activity-4-2-drawing.jpg

 

activity-4-3a-sketch.jpg

activity-4-3a-instructions.jpg

activity-4-3a-coding.jpg

 

activity-4-3b-instructions.jpg

activity-4-3b-coding.jpg

images

docx

activity-4-description.docx

Write 70-120 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

When you screenshot your p5js canvas, exclude the code part, rendered image only.

24-25

Instructional Drawings

This is your original sketch

This is your instructions

This is the outcome of another student following your instructions

This is the instructions you received

This is the outcome of the code where you followed someone else's instructions

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 5

Homework

Complete and document in-class work and archive under activity 4 in your Digital Portfolio

Activity 4

24-25

Instructional Drawings

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Structuring a program, planning and organising thoughts and ideas, documenting and taking care of visual materials created. Computational aesthetics with functions, loops, variables and movement.

 

Computational Literacy building 3

4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Let's take a look at how different instructions were translated to p5js.

Activity 4

24-25

Instructional Drawings

General

Some Observations

Read slides carefully; they contain detailed instructions and information

Ask for advice when in doubt

Try to solve problems independently first; we are keen to see your creative approach and solutions

Self-learning: you need to learn and practice outside of class, you won't keep up and improve otherwise

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Analyse and understand code principles and commands covered

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

recap time

The anatomy of a program

Ask ChatGPT about code that you don't understand, ask for an explanation for a particular command and to give a simple example.

syntax

flow

shapes

transformation

loops

conditionals

functions

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Example

Drawing a rotating shape

Code Basics

Transformations 

Commands

When using transformations, the things you draw never change position; the coordinate system itself does. read more

push

pop

translate

rotate

scale

Above commands are called transformations

24-25

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

demo time

Other useful commands to know

Ask ChatGPT about code that you don't understand, ask for an explanation for a particular command and to give a simple example.

rectMode

angleMode

saveCanvas

map

General

Some How-tos

How to take screenshots of a sketch?

How to screen record?

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

How to compress video?

1

2

3

How to work with ChatGPT?

4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Warming Up Tasks, Activity 5.1

5.1. Simple Iterations: Draw Seven Circles in a line

 

Use iteration (a loop) to copy the figure on the left, in which seven circles are positioned across the canvas. The position of each circle should be computing your loop's counting variable i. Make sure the first circle is inset by a margin; it should not lie on the edge of the canvas.

 

Use transformations to position each of the circles.

Ask ChatGPT about code that you don't understand, ask for an explanation for a particular command and to give a simple example.

On Repeat

10

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

5.2. Lines to the Cursor

 

Use iteration (a loop) to create an interactive display featuring a series of ten lines. Each line should connect the cursor to one of a series of points distributed evenly across the canvas.

 

Use transformations to position each of the lines.

Ask ChatGPT about code that you don't understand, ask for an explanation for a particular command and to give a simple example.

Warming Up Tasks, Activity 5.2

On Repeat

10

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

5.3. Grid patterns

 

Recreate one or more of the patterns on the right. 

 

First analyse the pattern, note your thoughts down on paper, then start coding. Notice that compared to the previous 2 tasks, the pattern stretches across 2 axis, hence, use a nested loop. Ask for help if unsure.

 

Use transformations to position each of the circles.

 

Ask ChatGPT about code that you don't understand, ask for an explanation for a particular command and to give a simple example.

Warming Up Tasks, Activity 5.3

On Repeat

15

Click image for larger view

24-25

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

You have the assignment to work in a team of 2 to design a series of collateral materials for a new product called On Repeat. Although the task is quite open, the following requirements must be met, see next slide.

 

First organise thoughts and ideas, aim for computational aesthetics,  plan your code, then execute, work as a team.

On Repeat

Activity 5.4

On Repeat

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

— black and white only

— code-based design, at least one for-loop

— no text, only coded shapes

— two collateral materials* mockups
    one of which is animated
 

Take inspiration from the coded drawings in the second reading document by Osamu Sato The Art of Computer Designing.

On Repeat, requirements

On Repeat

"Marketing collateral" refers to the various media and materials that a company uses to promote its products or services.

Brochures

*

Digital displays

Posters

Posters in public space

Branded giveaways like tote bag, t-shirts

Branded giveaways like pens, coffee mugs, t-shirts

Activity 5.4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

On Repeat

70

On Repeat

You have the assignment to work in a team of 2 to design a series of collateral materials for a new product called On Repeat. Although the task is quite open, the following requirements must be met, see previous slide.

 

First organise thoughts and ideas, aim for computational aesthetics,  plan your code, then execute, work as a team.

 

We will look at your designed collateral materials  (digital draft) at 12pm

Activity 5.4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Homework and Deliverables

For Activity 5 (you may have to create the activity-5 folder in your Digital Portfolio) the following items must be archived

activity-5-1.jpg

activity-5-2.jpg

activity-5-3.jpg

activity-5-4_1.jpg

activity-5-4_2.jpg

activity-5-4_3.jpg

activity-5-4_4.jpg

images

Video

activity-5-4_on-repeat.mp4

docx

activity-5-description.docx

Write 70-120 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

Create a short video, 5-15 seconds long that seamlessly loops.

This collection of images should document the  outcomes for this activity

Activity 5

On Repeat

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 5

Homework

Complete and document in-class work and archive under activity 4 in your Digital Portfolio

Activity 5

On Repeat

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

While we are conducting work checks in class, students who have completed their work check or are waiting for their turn, work on the following challenge, move down to the next slide

 

Work check and Challenge

7

24-25

Work Check

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

10

Activity

Algo Nature

Design the representation of a synthetic organism in code inspired by nature. You can work in pairs or alone. Each student will design for a double sided A3 landscape-format print in black and white, leave a margin of 1 cm along each side. After printing, fold A3 in half by end of today's session.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Starting points

Ernst Haeckel, Art Forms in Nature
Neri Oxman, Nature and Humanity
Daniel Shiffman, Nature of Code
House of Natural Fiber

Inspiration

Code

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied Workshops

Each workshop is applied and hands-on. You are required to apply coding concepts that have been introduced to you previously.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied Workshops

Form in Motion

Repetition and automation

Decision making

Class Designations

24-25

Week 5-6

Class A (F301) 

Week 9-10

Class B (F301) 

Week 11-12

Class C (D501

Week 5-6

Class B (F301) 

Week 9-10

Class C (D501

Week 11-12

Class A (F301) 

Week 5-6

Class C (D501

Week 9-10

Class A (F301) 

Week 11-12

Class B (F301) 

Form in Motio

with Dhiya

with Jo

with Kapi

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied Workshops

Form in Motion

Repetition and automation

Decision making

The learning objective for this workshop is to create a motion design video that makes use of code, trigonometric functions and time applied in a computer program and in response to an ambient soundscape.

Techniques and designed outcomes can be applied to digital displays in public spaces, digital media content, sound responsive animations, changing visual content driven by code.

The learning objective for this workshop is to apply the loop function, a fundamental programming concept, to create a range of variations from simple, repetitive coded instructions applied to a printed outcome.

Techniques and designed outcomes can be applied to automating design processes in the production of visuals outputs, screen-based or printed.

The learning objective for this workshop is to understand non-linearity and interactivity through the use of conditionals: "If this happens do this, else do the other thing" in response to a music soundtrack.

Techniques and designed outcomes can be applied to simple interactive visual tools, music visualizer, live performance, a first step to creating visuals interactively and intuitively.

Learning objectives an designed outcomes

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied Workshops

Form in Motion

Repetition and automation

Decision making

frameCount and time
Computed motion using sin and tan
Abstraction

for loop
single and nested loops
Automation

if, else if, else
design tools and interfaces
non-linear

Motion design
Generative typography
Computational aesthetics

Print and digital design
Generative design
Design systems

Live visuals
Interactive applications
Interfaces

Applicable to

Applicable to

Applicable to

Graphic design, experimentation, exploration, visual communication, instructions, computational thinking, tools, making

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied Workshops

Newcomer

Programming expert

Computational literacy

Designer with creative coding skills

Creative Technologist

How can I apply code, technology and computation to my design practice? I have seen and experienced some examples and approaches that I can build upon

I have never coded before, but I will give it a try

I feel able to apply a range of technologies together with computational means in my design practice

Technology and computation is a core competency, tool and passion and works hand in hand with my design practice

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied Workshops

Copy

Write

Change

Add

Extend

Changing existing code refers to altering variables and numbers to such an extent that the outcome looks drastically different from the original and shows your intention for a particular outcome. Know your source and leave as comment in your sketch.

Purely copying code from others is not an option.

Adding typically refers to incorporating new functionality or elements to existing code without altering the original behavior, however, the outcome should look drastically different from the original and shows your intention for a particular outcome. Know your source and leave as comment in your sketch.

Extending involves enhancing or building upon existing functionality, often by introducing new features, but it doesn't necessarily maintain the original behavior unchanged, however, the outcome should look drastically different from the original and shows your intention for a particular outcome.

In any case, make sure that the code you are making changes to is not copyrighted or explicitly stated as not being modifiable.

Write from scratch, you own it.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied Workshop series

Form in Motion

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

Form in motion is a workshop that looks at the qualities of bringing screen-based shapes into motion.

 

Instead of relying on timelines and keyframe-animations, code allows for computed movement.

 

Computed movement can be linear like an animation or, more interestingly, non-linear with emergent and often unpredictable outcomes achieved algorithmically.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

What are the outcomes that we want to generate in this workshop?

You will be introduces to a series of commands that allow for computed movement such as sin(), tan(), random().

What do these commands do for us? They generate numbers algorithmically which we can then, for example, use and apply to the position or dimension of shapes.

We are aiming for 3 outcomes

A series of screenshots that show experimentation and process

A video that is composed of recorded animations from at least three different sketches. This animation is supported by a soundscape, a soundtrack from everyday sounds

Images from your video on your laptop placed on a pedestal



7 images


1 video with soundtrack
1920x1080



3 images

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

24-25

function setup() {
  createCanvas(800, 600);
}


// make a cricle move from left to 
// right using frameCount

function draw() {
  background(0);
  stroke(255);
  noFill();
  ellipse(frameCount, height / 2, 100);
}

frameCount in p5.js is like a counter that keeps track of how many frames (pictures) have been shown since your program started running. It's useful to make things change over time or control animations.

Code example frameCount

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

24-25

A sine wave is a wavy pattern that goes up and down smoothly in a repeating manner. Imagine a swing: when you push it, it goes back and forth, creating a wavy movement. In math, a sine wave is a curve that represents this kind of smooth oscillation. It's often used in music, physics, and animation to create natural and rhythmic patterns.

 

We can also think of a sine wave relative to angles in a circle. The value of sine oscillates between -1 and 1 depending on how far along the circle we have rotated.

1

0

-1

sine wave

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

radians vs. degrees

Radians and degrees are different ways to measure angles. Imagine a full circle as a pizza, where cutting across the middle (one straight slice) is 180 degrees.

 

In radians, going from one side to the other is like half the circumference of the whole pizza, which is π (pi) radians.

 

Computers are optimized to calculate using radians, which travel counter-clockwise starting at 0.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

24-25

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

24-25

tangent function

Similar to the sine wave, the tangent function can also be visualized as a journey of angles around a circle.

 

In this case, we see values that rise sharply from 0 to infinity, snapping to negative infinity, and then back to 0.

 

This peculiar property of the tangent function can be used to drive very interesting, snappy animations or alter the position where objects appear on the canvas.

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

function setup() {
  createCanvas(800, 600);
}

// draw 2 circles using sin and tan

function draw() {
  background(0);
  stroke(255);
  noFill();
  
  // set the speed of the moving circle
  let speed = 0.1; 
  
  let x1 = sin(frameCount * speed) * 100;
  ellipse(width / 2 + x1, height / 2, 100);
  
  let y1 = tan(frameCount * speed) * 100;
  ellipse(width / 2, height / 2 + y1, 100);
}

sin and tan help make things move smoothly and naturally. sin makes objects go up and down like a wave, and tan makes them slant like they're climbing a hill. They're like magic math helpers for creating realistic movements in your animations.

Code example sin() and tan()

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

24-25

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

Understanding the values that go into sin()

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

24-25

sin(frameCount * 0.1) * 100

too large to use by itself!

multiply by small number ( >1 ) to control speed of oscillation

sin() will always give us values between -1 and 1

multiply sin() output by this "maximum" value

using sin with the values above will result in a smooth oscillation between -100 and 100 at a regular interval. We can limit the function to only produce positive values by wrapping every thing within abs:

abs(sin(frameCount * 0.1) * 100)

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

Understanding the values that go into tan()

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

24-25

tan(frameCount * 0.1) * 100

too large to use by itself!

multiply by small number ( >1 ) to control speed of snapping

tan() always gives a value between negative infinity and positive infinity

multiply tan() output by this "start/stop" value

using tan with the values above will result in a snappy transition between -infinity and infinity, at regular intervals. In this case, the values will appear to "start" and "stop" around 100. We can again, limit the output to only positive values by wrapping every thing within abs:

abs(tan(frameCount * 0.1) * 100)

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

Challenge Sine
Write a sketch that uses frameCount and the sin() command to animate one or more shapes

Challenge Tangent
Write a sketch that uses frameCount and the tan() command to animate one or more shapes

Code challenge

1

2

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

sketches

24-25

20

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

The random() function in p5.js is a very useful tool for generating random numbers. It's often used in creative coding and interactive art to add an element of randomness to your sketches.

Think of the random() function as a magical dice that you can roll in your code. When you call random(), it gives you a random number between 0 (inclusive) and 1 (exclusive), which means it can be any decimal value between 0 and just under 1.

This randomness is handy for creating things like random colors, random positions for shapes, or random movements in animations. It's a tool that lets you introduce unpredictability and variety into your creative projects, making them more interesting and dynamic.

24-25

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

function setup() {
  createCanvas(400, 400);
  background(0);
}


// draw random circles

function draw() {

  // try to uncomment the following line 
  // blendMode(DIFFERENCE); 
  
  // what happens when you uncomment the next line
  // randomSeed(10); // what is randomSeed?

  let x = random(0,400);
  let y = random(0,400);
  ellipse(x, y, 20);
}

Code example random

sketches

24-25

frameCount

sin() and tan()

random()

commands

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

How to introduce movement with code to animate shapes?

When combining all commands, we are able to generate an endless variety of visual outcomes, be it simple or complex.

Some code and some examples given might go beyond your current understanding of coding, however we have to balance between the simple and complex–to achieve the complex we often need time, patience, study and practice.

What we don't know we must see. What we don't understand we can learn. Making changes and observing is the first step to learning. 

sketches

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

Ryoji Ikeda

Weidi Zhang

Demo Festival

Focus on what you like and be curious. Inspiration is not about copying or giving up, its about motivating yourself, setting goals, sitting on the shoulders of giants.

Inspiration

Kinetic Type Shop

Alva Noto

Tim Rodenbroecker

Dia Studio

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

Ryoji Ikeda

Weidi Zhang

Demo Festival

In groups of 2 or individually, analyse one or more of the examples given and note down your thoughts and answers on the worksheet given to you.

Analysis

Kinetic Type Shop

Alva Noto

Tim Rodenbroecker

20

Dia Studio

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

What are the outcomes that we want to generate in this workshop?

We are aiming for 3 outcomes

A series of screenshots that show experimentation and process

A video that is composed of recorded animations from at least three different sketches. This animation is supported by a soundscape, a soundtrack from everyday sounds

Images from your video on your laptop placed on a pedestal



7 images


1 video with soundtrack
1920x1080



3 images

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

Create a soundtrack for your video from everyday sounds: think ASMR or sounds that you can pick up at home, in the streets, in nature.

You can edit and compose sounds together.

You haven't done that before? Try and you will be fine.

We are aiming for 3 outcomes

A series of screenshots that show experimentation and process

A video that is composed of recorded animations from at least three different sketches.
This animation is supported by a soundscape, a soundtrack from everyday sounds

Images from your video on your laptop placed on a pedestal








15 to 20 seconds long

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

Homework for session 2

We are aiming for 3 outcomes

A series of screenshots that show experimentation and process

A video that is composed of recorded animations from at least three different sketches. This animation is supported by a soundscape, a soundtrack from everyday sounds

Images from your video on your laptop placed on a pedestal



7 images


1 video with soundtrack
1920x1080 15-20 seconds


3 images

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

This session is all about reviewing your progress, feedback and finishing your workshop outcomes as required.

The second half of the class will be spent on preparing for the outcome presentation. All outcomes will be presented on students' laptops positioned on the pedestals in D501.

Session 2

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

Homework to complete the Form in motion workshop

A series of screenshots that show experimentation and process

A video that is composed of recorded animations from at least three different sketches. This animation is supported by a soundscape, a soundtrack from everyday sounds

Images from your video on your laptop placed on a pedestal

7 images


1 video with soundtrack
1920x1080



3 images

Part 1/2

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Deliverables

workshop-1_1.jpg

workshop-1_2.jpg

workshop-1_3.jpg

workshop-1_4.jpg

workshop-1_5.jpg

workshop-1_6.jpg

workshop-1_7.jpg

workshop-1_8.jpg

workshop-1_9.jpg

workshop-1_10.jpg

images

Video

workshop-1.mp4

docx

workshop-1-description.docx

Write 70-120 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

1–7 A series of screenshots that show experimentation and process
8–10 Images from your video on your laptop placed on a pedestal

Part 2/2

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied Workshop series

Repetition and Automation

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied Workshop series

Decision Making

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Submission Compilation

13

We are nearing the end of the semester. In this class we will look at how to organise and present your semester work in a digital format, a pdf. In a workshop, you will be introduced to a template and briefed on your submission for assessment.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Deliverables Digital Portfolio

The Digital Portfolio comes in 3 parts: Archive, CPJ and Summary. The following slides outline these 3 parts in detail and their requirements to be prepared for submission.

24-25

1 Archive

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

activity-1_1.jpg

activity-1_2.jpg

activity-1_3.jpg

activity-1_4.jpg

images

Video

activity-1-recording.mp4

docx

activity-1-description.docx

Write 50-80 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketch, too.

This is optional: make a timelapse video when making changes to the code and 

Up to four code images should demonstrate the visuals produced by code at different stages. They should demonstrate the variety of your exploration.

Activity 1: Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

prepare and archive the the screenshots you have taken as outlined below. The screenshots should only show the image only, not the code

Change, Play, Run, Repeat.

Activity 1

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Activity 2: Code to drawing

For Activity 2 the following items must be archived in your Digital Portfolio under activity-2

activity-2_1.jpg

activity-2_2.jpg

images

docx

activity-2-description.docx

Write 50-80 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

Code to Drawing

Activity 2

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Where you see shapes, I see code.

Activity 3

Activity 3: Where you see shapes, I see code.

For Activity 3 the following items must be archived in your Digital Portfolio under activity-3

activity-3-1-coding.jpg

activity-3-2-drawing.jpg

activity-3-2-coding.jpg

activity-3-3-coding.jpg

 

images

Video

activity-3-drawing-coding.mp4

docx

activity-3-description.docx

Write 70-120 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

Create a short video, 10-20 seconds long, that presents the process, team work and outcomes of your activity 3 work.  

These images should demonstrate the progress you have made, when you screenshot your p5js canvas, exclude the code part, rendered image only.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Activity 4: Instructional Drawings

For Activity 4 the following items must be archived in your Digital Portfolio under activity-4

images

docx

activity-4-description.docx

Write 70-120 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

When you screenshot your p5js canvas, exclude the code part, rendered image only.

Instructional Drawings

Activity 4

24-25

activity-4-1-drawing.jpg

activity-4-2-drawing.jpg

 

activity-4-3a-sketch.jpg

activity-4-3a-instructions.jpg

activity-4-3a-coding.jpg

 

activity-4-3b-instructions.jpg

activity-4-3b-coding.jpg

This is your original sketch

This is your instructions

This is the outcome of another student following your instructions

This is the instructions you received

This is the outcome of the code where you followed someone else's instructions

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Activity 5: On Repeat.

For Activity 5 (you may have to create the activity-5 folder in your Digital Portfolio) the following items must be archived

activity-5-1.jpg

activity-5-2.jpg

activity-5-3.jpg

activity-5-4_1.jpg

activity-5-4_2.jpg

activity-5-4_3.jpg

activity-5-4_4.jpg

images

Video

activity-5-4_on-repeat.mp4

docx

activity-5-description.docx

Write 70-120 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

Create a short video, 5-15 seconds long that seamlessly loops.

This collection of images should document the  outcomes for this activity

Activity 5

On Repeat

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

workshop-1_1.jpg

workshop-1_2.jpg

workshop-1_3.jpg

workshop-1_4.jpg

workshop-1_5.jpg

workshop-1_6.jpg

workshop-1_7.jpg

workshop-1_8.jpg

workshop-1_9.jpg

workshop-1_10.jpg

images

Video

workshop-1.mp4

docx

workshop-1-description.docx

Write 70-120 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

1–7 A series of screenshots that show experimentation and process
8–10 Images from your video on your laptop placed on a pedestal

 Form in motion

Workshop 1

24-25

Workshop 1: Form in Motion

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

images

Video

workshop-2-recording.mp4

docx

workshop-2-description.docx

Write 70-120 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

Repetition and automation

Workshop 2

pdf

workshop-2-FA_bookCover.pdf

workshop-2-FA_poster.pdf

workshop-2-FA_bookMark.pdf

workshop-2_1.jpg

workshop-2_2.jpg

workshop-2_3.jpg

workshop-2_4.jpg

workshop-2_5.jpg

workshop-2_6.jpg

workshop-2_7.jpg

workshop-2_8.jpg

workshop-2_9.jpg

workshop-2_10.jpg

24-25

Workshop 2: Repetition and Automation

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

workshop-3_process-1.jpg

workshop-3_process-2.jpg

workshop-3_process-3.jpg

workshop-3_final-1.jpg

workshop-3_final-2.jpg

workshop-3_final-3.jpg

images

Video

workshop-3_decision-making.mp4

docx

workshop-3-description.docx

Write 70-120 words that describe the process and learning for this activity. Include links to your p5js sketches, too.

Add the link to the freesound soundtrack used in your video.

Decision making

Workshop 3

24-25

Workshop 3: Decision Making

2 CPJ

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

CPJ

Your CPJ must be archived in your Digital Portfolio under folder cpj

Make sure your CPJ is complete and you have provided weekly updates on your progress and process, beginning at week 1 and ending at week 13.

 

Pay attention to the layout and design of your CPJ. We have made suggestions in class how to improve your CPJ during your work-check in week 7.

Completeness

Format

cpj-studentID.pdf

Creative Process Journal

CPJ

24-25

3 Summary

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Summary

Your Summary document must be archived in your Digital Portfolio under folder summary

Template

Format

summary-studentID.pdf

Summary

Archive your Summary in .pdf format in your Digital Portfolio. Don't forget to replace studentID with your actual studentID.

Pay attention to

24-25

Submission

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

We will pay attention to

Quality of images and videos including size and compression

Completeness of submission including all archived activities and workshops, CPJ document and Summary document

Experimentation, creativity, writing and reflection

Labelling of files

24-25

CPJ content and design

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Submission due

Digital Portfolio folder must be zipped before uploading. The file-size of this .zip file must not exceed 300MB.

Monday, 18.11.2024

2:00pm

Submission will be online, a link will be shared with you in week 14 via email to upload your submission.

Submitting your work

.zip file label

B-DC121-CiD-classId-studentId-name.zip

Friday, 8th November, 6 - 9 pm

Saturday, 9th November, 2:30 pm

Opening reception

Curator Tour

Saturday, 9th November, 4:30 pm

Artists Panel

Saturday, 16th November, 4:30 pm

Bring Your Own Bugspray

A workshop by Feelers

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Applied Workshop series

Form in Motion

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Jo Ho

Presentation 

Click image to view slides

24-25

General

Shapes gallery

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

On Repeat

Exercise 1

You have the assignment to work in a team of 2 to design a series of collateral materials for a new __________ called On Repeat. Although the task is quite open, the following requirements must be met:

 

black and white only

code-based design, at least one for-loop

no text, only coded shapes

three collateral materials, one of which is animated

 

Take inspiration from the coded drawings in the second reading document by Osamu Sato The Art of Computer Designing.

 

Today we will look at your designed collateral materials, more details see next slide.

On Repeat

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

On Repeat

Exercise 1

Today's class will mainly consist of group work and further development of the exercise in class. Towards the end of the class we will have a show-and-tell where each team will present their results on their laptops.

 

On one screen the animation will be shown in fullscreen, on the other screen the other two collateral materials as images, also in fullscreen.

On Repeat

How to present a video animation in fullscreen? Use quicktime top open your video. Select View → loop and then View → Enter Full Screen, then play the video.

How to present images in fullscreen? Use Photoshop's Fullscreen Mode or open image with the Preview app and use View → Enter Full Screen.

Video Animation

Image

To present a p5js sketch in fullscreen, copy lines 14–46 from this sketch template to your sketch. 

p5js Sketch

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Homework and Deliverables

For Exercise 1 the following items must be archived in your Digital Portfolio under exercise-1

exercise-1-visual_1.jpg

exercise-1-visual_2.jpg

exercise-1-visual_3.jpg

exercise-1-visual_4.jpg

exercise-1-collateral_1.jpg

exercise-1-collateral_2.jpg

exercise-1-collateral_3.jpg

exercise-1-collateral_4.jpg

exercise-1-present_1.jpg

exercise-1-present_2.jpg

images

Video

exercise-1-animation.mp4

docx

exercise-1-description.docx

Here include 70-120 words of description for this activity as well as the links to your p5js sketches 

On Repeat

Exercise 1

landscape format, 16:9, 720p or 1080p; compressed and saved as .mp4

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

On Repeat

Exercise 1

Show and tell time.

On Repeat

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 6

Homework

Archive Exercise 1 as outlined in previous Slide

On Repeat

Exercise 1

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Conditional design 1

6

Computers are very good at crunching numbers and making decisions. We will learn how to define a set of conditions and rules to achieve rather unpredictable results through code.

24-25

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Conditional

Code Basics

Decision making

do things when condition is false

Computers can be programmed to make decisions, to do different things in different circumstances. Decisions take the form of an if-then format. They start with a condition, which is then evaluated as either True or False.

 

do things when condition is true

true

false

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Principles and Commands to learn and remember.

Principles and Commands

Example

Code Basics

if

Use if to specify a block of code to be executed, if a specified condition is met and true read more

else

else if

true

false

Use else to specify a block of code to be executed, if the same condition is false  read more

The push() and pop() functions can be embedded to provide more control over the positioning and rotation of shapes. read more

Also known as boolean, true when condition is fulfilled read more

Also known as boolean, false when condition is not fulfilled read more

// if–else
// check if mouse is pressed or not
function check2() {
  if (mouseIsPressed == true) {
    background(0,255,0);
  } else {
    background(255,0,0);
  }
}

// if–else if–else
// 3 checks based on the location 
// of mouseX which will change the 
// background color accordingly
function check3() {
  if(mouseX<100) {
    background(255,0,0);
  } else if(mouseX>100 && mouseX<200) {
    background(0,255,0);
  } else {
    background(0,0,255);
  }
}

24-25

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Team Lab

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Sougwen Chung

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

left or right?

Warming Up 

1. Simple if-else statement

 

Use if-else statement to determine if mouse is on the left or right side of the canvas

 

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

left or right?

Warming Up 

2. Simple if-else statement: Left/Right

 

Add a 3rd outcome using else if statement that is triggered with a different condition.

 

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Warming Up 

3. Painting with style

 

Design+program your painting canvas with customised brush.

 

Start from the code linked to on the right.

design your painting canvas

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Warming Up 

4. Generative music visualiser

 

Design+program your visuals generator using conditional statement and play it along with a sound track no more than 10 seconds.

 

Start from the code linked to on the right.

design your painting canvas

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Jake's Music Visualiser

Exercise 2

Design and produce a short music video clip that is animated programmatically by you. 

Jake's Music Visualiser

First, go to freesound.org or any public domain music platform and choose your desired soundtrack. Then, choreograph your animation by playing over the chosen track and record a video no more than 10 seconds. Finally, Give the video a title that creatively represents the content and upload it to the Shared Folder on Google Drive. 

Do not use any music that is copyrighted. ie. K-pop, Billie Eilish, Metallica etc. 

You should record in fullscreen to get the best of your animation. Use a video editing software  for  the better production and final outcome.

This exercise continues in week 7

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Homework: prepare your Digital Portfolio for review in week 7

archive / activities / activity 1

archive / activities / activity 2

archive / activities / activity 3

archive / exercise 1

 

CPJ document

Sections to be reviewed

Completeness

 

Design and aesthetics of outcomes in general and in particular documenting your progress and process in your CPJ

 

Image and video compression and quality (make sure to maintain very good quality)

 

Pay attention to

Digital Portfolio

Review

In case you need to create a videos folder for any of the activities, please do so.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 7

Homework

Digital Portfolio

Review

Prepare your Digital Portfolio for review. See previous slide for details.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Conditional design 2 

 

Review Term 1

7

Picking up where we left off in our last session, we continue to practice formulating and executing conditionals with code to create a series of computer generated visuals. 

The review is intended to get a better understanding of how each student is doing and progressing in this class. We will conduct brief individual work checks to progress and prepare for Term 2.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Jake's Music Visualiser

Exercise 2

Design and produce a short music video clip that is animated programmatically by you. 

Jake's Music Visualiser

First, go to freesound.org or any public domain music platform and choose your desired soundtrack. Then, choreograph your animation by playing over the chosen track and record a video no more than 10 seconds. Finally, Give the video a title that creatively represents the content and upload it to the Shared Folder on Google Drive. 

Do not use any music that is copyrighted. ie. K-pop, Billie Eilish, Metallica etc. 

You should record in fullscreen to get the best of your animation. Use a video editing software  for  the better production and final outcome.

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 9

Homework

Jake's Music Visualiser

Exercise 2

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Objects, random, noise

9

Objects might be a challenging concept but as a programming paradigm it is so useful to create complexity through simple means, let's take a look.

24-25

Week 9 

Schedule

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Review week 7

Exercise 2 sampling of outcomes

Activity 4

30 mins

30 mins

120 mins

Jo

Jake

24-25

Week 7 Review

Some Observations

Some of you did a really good job in documenting, formatting and presenting your development and progress for this class so far. However, others did not present their work in the most flattering and convincing way. Please take good care of your design work.

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

CPJ was incomplete and poorly designed

Weak use of layout and typography which makes the CPJ look weak

Reflections were often missing or insufficient or too descriptive

 

Digital Portfolio was incomplete or labelling was not done properly

Images need to be better edited to show good quality and care in your work

File format and compression

What did not work well

24-25

Week 7 Review

Some Observations

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Jake's Music Visualiser

Sampling of outcomes

Format, resolution and dimension 

Start and ending of sound track

Crediting of sound track used

24-25

Activity 4

Recap or moving forward?

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Loops

Conditionals

Objects

Functions

In preparation for exercise 3, which will be your individual project, we will conduct a recap session for the rest of today's class. 

Recap, how to use for-loops. use loops to generate patterns.

Recap, how to work with functions, custom shapes and transformations.

Recap, interactivity and decision making, a drawing tool with custom brushes.

New, coding behaviour complexity. generative (reactive) visuals.

We will split each group into equal numbers of students, first-come-first-served.

3 groups will focus on previous topics covered, 1 group will be introduced to a new topic.

24-25

Activity 4

Recap or moving forward?

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Loops

Recap, how to use for-loops. use loops to generate patterns.

24-25

Activity 4

Recap or moving forward?

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Functions

Recap, how to work with functions, custom shapes and transformations.

24-25

Activity 4

Recap or moving forward?

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Conditionals

Recap, interactivity and decision making, a drawing tool with custom brushes.

24-25

Activity 4

Recap or moving forward?

22–23

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Objects

New, coding behaviour and complexity. generative (reactive) visuals.

Sketches from this session

22–23

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 10

Homework

Review and reflect on the coding work you have done so far, what do you want to work on for exercise 3?

Activity 4

Recap or moving forward?

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Coded Images 1

10

Starting this week you will embark on your own creative coding project. Don't worry, the challenge is not to achieve a very complex outcome, but to find creative ways to implement ideas visually and poetically through code.

Image generated with DALL·E mini, prompt: Cyberspace, the subconscious and dreams

24-25

Sketch ideas on paper, share your ideas to get feedback

Work and play with the numbers in your sketch to arrive at (un)expected outcomes

Review or learn  coding techniques that you can then apply to your work

Build your sketch, the system.

Generate quality images and videos, add a writeup

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Exercise 3

Approach to working individually

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Use examples, approaches and code covered in class as a starting point

Learn by reading the code of others, analyse and understand the concepts and principles used and how they are applied

Leverage the strengths of coding rather than replicating what you can already do with other tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. 

Take small but many steps

Learn from others, do not copy the work of others

Make a mood board of examples that inspire you to start with developing ideas

24-25

Exercise 3

Approach to working individually

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

We have prepared 3 different briefs for you in the following.


Please read them first before you decide on one.

24-25

1 From Shapes to Brands

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

24-25

Exercise 3

1 From Shapes to Brands

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

This brief requires you to write a visual identity generator.

 

Can you create a software tool with p5js focusing on custom shapes that can create interesting shapes/forms and that could become a logo for a brand/band/company.

 

With some modifications, can the sketch tool create a series of unique visual compositions that can be used as a visual identity system for the logo you create?

Start by creating your own custom shapes and create a function for each custom shape. Using transformations (push, pop, translate, rotate) and iterations, start exploring compositions for these shapes.

 

You can start from scratch or redesign existing code. You can explore these shapes in 2D or create them in 3D. You are to create 1 logo and 3 images for the visual identity system.

 

Present your sketch in fullscreen-mode.

Description

Challenge

24-25

Exercise 3

1 From Shapes to Brands

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Think of a context for the logo, you may first want to think of a fictional brand, company or band whose logo you want to create.

 

You should then think of the style, expression and meaning behind the logo, how does the shapes, colour, texture relate back to the brand, company or band.

 

How would you then, with these same shapes, create unique visual compositions to act as a visual identity for the brand, company, band. Where can these visuals be applied to?

→ create custom shapes in code and create function/s from custom shapes

 

→ use transformations on the custom shapes function/s to compose a logo then a series of visual identity images

 

→ use mockups (collateral materials) to adapt the visual identity onto products

Make it meaningful

Process

24-25

Exercise 3

1 From Shapes to Brands

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Sketches

References

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

For brief 1, From Shapes to Brands, the following deliverables are required

exercise-3-1_logo_1.jpg

exercise-3-1_visual_1.jpg

exercise-3-1_visual_2.jpg

exercise-3-1_visual_3.jpg

exercise-3-1_collateral_1.jpg

exercise-3-1_collateral_2.jpg

exercise-3-1_collateral_3.jpg

exercise-3-1_process_1.jpg

exercise-3-1_process_2.jpg

exercise-3-1_process_3.jpg

exercise-3-1_process_4.jpg

images

Exercise 3

1 From Shapes to Brands

code

exercise-3-1_code.zip

Here include your final p5js code as a .zip file. you can download your sketch as a .zip file from the p5js editor's menu File Download

Deliverables

docx

exercise-3_description.docx

Here include 100-150 words of description for this exercise as well as the links to your p5js sketches 

video

exercise-3-1_animation.mp4

An animated version of the logo, 10 to 20 seconds long. Add a soundtrack if necessary, only use non-copyright music.

24-25

2 Coding Images with Loops

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Exercise 3

2 Coding Images with Loops

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

In this brief, you are encouraged to experiment with ‘for-loop’ to experiment with generative patterns.

 

Create iterations of your pattern to produce a series of building blocks that could potentially grow into typography, a graphic language or an interactive experience.

Experiment with a ‘for-loop’ to explore how many variations of patterns you can produce with basic shapes.

 

Remember to take screenshots along the way to document the progression and journey of this process.

 

How many different variations can you create? If the results are not satisfactory in its aesthetic language, how can you morph your base shape to then make it more interesting? What happens when you create multiple ‘for-loop’s? What happens when you create more than one shape?

 

Present your sketch in fullscreen-mode.

Description

Challenge

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

As you experiment with the different forms of the patterns, be sure to reflect on what you’re making. Would this be an interesting pattern for a typeface?

 

Is it interesting to create a grid of your process that archives all your experiments and document that in a poster?

 

If it were made into a visuals, what types of artefacts (collateral materials) would this visual be applied on?

 

If it works as an interactive experience for visitors to play with, what is the concept behind this experience?

→ Start with creating a shape. You may sketch it on paper first and draw it in p5js after

 

Experiment with this shape and a ‘for-loop’ for(let i=0;i<10;i++){}

 

Analyse what you have done. Is it interesting?

 

Modify your shape

 

Experiment with values in the ‘for-loop’

 

Repeat this process and remember to take screenshots as you keep experimenting.

 

Determine which artefact you would like to produce based on the patterns you have created.

Make it meaningful

Process

Exercise 3

2 Coding Images with Loops

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

For brief 2, Coding Images with Loops, the following deliverables are required

exercise-3-2_collateral_1.jpg

exercise-3-2_collateral_2.jpg

exercise-3-2_collateral_3.jpg

exercise-3-2_collateral_4.jpg

images, option 1

docx

exercise-3_description.docx

Here include 100-150 words of description for this exercise as well as the links to your p5js sketches 

code

exercise-3-2_code.zip

Here include your final p5js code as a .zip file. you can download your sketch as a .zip file from the p5js editor's menu File Download

Deliverables

Exercise 3

2 Coding Images with Loops

video, option 1

exercise-3-2_process.mp4

10-second video of your process. Using the screenshots you have documented during your process, create a “slideshow” in video format of the pattern you’ve made as it has changed and grown over iterations.

exercise-3-2_still_1.jpg

exercise-3-2_still_2.jpg

exercise-3-2_still_3.jpg

images, option 2

video, option 2

exercise-3-2_animation.mp4

 

exercise-3-2_process.mp4

20-second video of the final moving pattern

same as above

OR

24-25

3 Drawing Tool

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Exercise 3

3 Drawing Tool

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Computer programs are nothing without conditional statements.

 

It helps the user plan, validate and execute a series of events programmatically and most of the time, autonomously too.

Leveraging on computational skills, program a drawing tool with customisable brushes, each displaying different emerging aesthetics that is otherwise hard to achieve by traditional medium.

 

Using these brushes as your palette and the screen as your canvas, create a piece of art. The artwork should be supported by a strong artistic narrative and showcase the ability of co-creation between human and machine.

 

Present your tool in fullscreen-mode, add a save-image function to save the canvas to file to keep a copy of a drawing.

Description

Challenge

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

→ Start by brainstorming a theme and concept for the choice and design of brushes

 

Familiarise yourself with the key coding elements that you need to achieve the desired aesthetics, such as loops, choice of parameters, mouse and keyboard interaction

 

Design several iterations and evaluate its success and identify areas of improvement.

 

Refine the narrative and aesthetics when needed until you feel satisfactory with your tool

 

Get some of your classmates to use and test your tool, save the drawings 

Process

Exercise 3

3 Drawing Tool

What we have learned so far is how to use conditional statements to trigger the drawing and changing of brushes. How can this be applied to a simple concept where the brushes have meaning?

 

For example, the concept could be about loudness, with each brush expressing loudness in a different way visually, a brush could even grow while active, colours could be very loud and saturated, You can play with the contrast of spiky and puffy shapes.

 

A concept or theme helps shape the individual bits and pieces so that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Make it meaningful

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

For brief 3, Drawing Tool, the following deliverables are required

exercise-3-3_art_1.jpg

exercise-3-3_art_2.jpg

exercise-3-3_art_3.jpg

exercise-3-3_art_4.jpg

exercise-3-3_brushes_1.jpg

exercise-3-3_brushes_2.jpg

exercise-3-3_process_1.jpg

exercise-3-3_process_2.jpg

exercise-3-3_process_3.jpg

exercise-3-3_process_4.jpg

 

images

docx

exercise-3-description.docx

Here include 100-150 words of description for this exercise as well as the links to your p5js sketches 

code

exercise-3-code.zip

Here include your final p5js code as a .zip file. you can download your sketch as a .zip file from the p5js editor's menu File Download

Deliverables

Exercise 3

2 Coding Images with Loops

video

exercise-3-3_drawing.mp4

video of a drawing using your tool emerging from start to end. Make sure this is recorded in fullscreen.

24-25

Exercise 3

Getting started

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Now that you have read the briefs, decide on one and get started with sketching out ideas on paper first.

 

Then, start with coding your first sketch based on your idea(s), but take small steps so you can progressively improve and expand the aesthetics and functionality of your work.

Remember, it is not about how many lines of code you write but how effectively you can write less code to do more. We have practiced this with the coding principles and commands covered in previous sessions.

The magic is in the numbers. Ok, please start :)

24-25

Sketch ideas on paper, share your ideas to get feedback

Work and play with the numbers in your sketch to arrive at (un)expected outcomes

Review or learn  coding techniques that you can then apply to your work

Build your sketch, the system.

Generate quality images and videos, add a writeup

24-25

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

22–23

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 11

Homework

By week 11, we expect at least one working sketch that translates your idea into code.

 

From here, we can discuss with you and give you feedback. If necessary, we can then help you with code issues. The more progress you show, the more targeted the feedback can be. 

Exercise 3

22–23

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Coded Images 2

11

It's often easier and more fun to experiment with code and your ideas from the start than to implement the perfect idea.

Image generated Stable Diffusion: A cat in white

Sketch ideas on paper, share your ideas to get feedback

Work and play with the numbers in your sketch to arrive at (un)expected outcomes

Review or learn  coding techniques that you can then apply to your work

Build your sketch, the system.

Generate quality images and videos, add a writeup

22–23

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

22–23

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 12

Homework

By week 12 your Coded Images outcome should be resolved. This week's class is twofold, we spend the first part of class refining and fixing last minuted issues.

 

In the second part we look at your outcomes and hear from you more about the underlying idea(s), approach and aesthetics. You will present your work on your laptop, similar to what we did in week 6.

Exercise 3

22–23

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Coded Images 3

12

This week's class will have two parts. First, you can solve some last minute problems. Maybe your sketch isn't working properly or you need to polish up the final result a bit more. In the second half, we will have a mini showcase and you will all run your project on your laptop.

22–23

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

make, shift exhibition and series of workshops at CineLeisure.

The first workshop offered is generative visuals, led by Jo, this Friday (4 November 2022, from 2pm–5pm).

 

Learn the basics of VJing with TouchDesigner and create your own live visuals > cueing videos, mixing them, using controls to switch between videos, and learning how to manipulate the videos through the software itself.

22–23

Computation in Design 1

B-DC 121

Due Week 13

Homework

Documentation of exercise 3 based on your chosen brief, see your brief's deliverables section.

 

You can review the slides from week 10 to find details on required deliverables.

Exercise 3

Copy of cid-1-2425

By Jo Ho

Copy of cid-1-2425

  • 25