Syllabus
Generative Art & Design
This course explores the potential of computation as a creative and critical medium both on a theoretical and practical level.
It establishes an understanding of coding as a means of artistic expression rather than one of mere problem solving.
It engages with generative techniques for aesthetic output and experimentation ranging from design to interactive art applications.
“The idea becomes a machine that makes the art”
Sol LeWitt
- We will discuss contemporary as well as historic generative art & design practices and the cultural implications of creative coding.
- We will explore applications including graphic design, data visualisation, simulations, games, VFX, architecture, fashion, sculpture, interactive art installations, audiovisual performances, VR,...
- We will engage with practical algorithmic methods for dynamic and interactive audiovisual media and compare available tools and frameworks.
While the course will focus on visual applications, it doesn’t exclude other media (sound, literature,...)
Practical methods will be demonstrated using Processing - however you will be entirely free to choose a different framework for your project assignment.
Requirements
- Basic programming skills, ideally familiarity with Java or C#
- Basic mathematical skills (simple trigonometry, etc)
The language of the course is English.
It is structured in theoretical lectures, practical exercises and evaluated primarily through various assignments.
Goals & Outcomes
- elaborate your view and understanding of digital culture
- sharpen your own creative/artistic processes and integrate new methods and tools
- understand coding as THE cultural technique of our century with its social, technological, commercial, artistic,... implications.
- apply practical skills and methods in a specific project
- acquire an overview of the state of the art of algorithmic/generative design and shape your view of possible future scenarios
- create a project
- research topics and present them in front of the class
Expectations
- be curious! dig deeper, research everything, share everything
- be self critical, ask difficult questions
- venture beyond your comfort zone, place your work in a larger context (history, society)
- don’t be afraid to fail but fail gracefully.
- experiment and explore
- Do not plagiate! - If you sell someone elses code/work as your own it will directly lead to negative grade.
Dates - Overview
- Mo 30.3 7EH
- Introduction
- Generative Arts Theory - History
- Di 31.3 7EH
- Generative Arts Theory - Contemporary
- Tools & Frameworks
- Di 14.4 8EH
- Method: Random & Noise
- Method: Agents
- Mo 20.4 7EH
- Mo 11.5 7EH
- Method: Audiovisual
- Final Presentations
Topics
A) Theory & Discussion of Works
-
Definitions, Fundamentals, Concepts, Relevance
- What is generative art / design and what is its relevance?
-
Brief History of Generative Design
- analogue algorithmic design
- Drawing Machines,
- early computational works (Whitney Brothers, The Algorists, Harold Cohen,...)
-
New School / Creative Coding
Generative Applications for...
... Graphic Design & Illustration
... Audiovisual Art
... Scenography, Theatre & Performance
... interactive art
... synthetic abstracts, aesthetic research
... sculpture
... fashion
... architecture
... film & vfx
... data visualisation
... computer games
... literature
- Generative Complexities
- The role of the generative artist
- Authorship
- Create your own tools!
- the concept of emergence
- the aura
- exhibiting digital art
- generative x generic
- formalism vs culturalism
- shape grammar
- a few manifestos
B) Practical
- Tools & Workflows
- Frameworks Overview and Comparison
- Methods