This studio course is an introduction to computer programming in the context of algorithmic design and software art. Participants will be introduced to the principles of text-based programming using Processing and ActionScript to create computer-generated drawings, data visualizations, and interactive applications. By focusing on the concepts behind those technologies, the acquired skills will be transferable to future contexts. A series of presentations, screenings, readings and discussions will expose participants to a variety of works and concepts in the realm of generative design, including motion graphics, software art, visual music, physical computing, generative architecture, and interactive art. There are four types of assignments: exercises, readings, presentations, and a final project. Participants will present their work during class critiques to receive qualitative feedback from the professor and the class. Selected readings will serve as the basis for class discussions.
Evaluation
Assignments are generally invitations to invent and experiment; participants are encouraged to appropriate the assignments in regards to their individual research interests. Creative and ambitious projects will be evaluated high, while obvious and easily attained solutions are evaluated low. Previous programming experience is not required. The complexity of the assignments will increase as the semester progresses. It is recommended to use a sketchbook to share the design process with the professor and the class. A public exhibition at the end of the semester (beginning of the Fall 07 semester) will allow participants to share their work with the UIC community.
Active contribution during class is required (15% of final grade). All assignments must be completed for a successful completion of the course. Assignments are only considered as completed when they are available on the class website. Late assignments will reduce the grade proportionally.
Exercises and Grading (% of final grade):
15%: Exercise1 – Drawing
15%: Exercise 2 – Input + Response
15%: Exercise 3 – Image + Sound
40%: Final Project
15%: Research Report, Participation and Contribution
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and required for a successful completion of the course. Two unexcused absences will result in a reduction of the final grade by ½ letter grade, three unexcused absences by 1 letter grade, and four or more unexcused absences will result in failing the course.
Required Software
Processing Beta V. 124 or higher (free, cross-platform), available online at http://processing.org/download/
Adobe Web Bundle
Sound Forge Studio 6.0 or Audacity (free, cross-platform): Application for sound recording, editing, and effects.
Recommended Readings
Stocker, Gerfried and Schoepf, Christine: Code: The Language of Our Time, Ars Electronica 2003. Ostfildern-Ruit: Hatje Cantz, 2003.
Paul, Christiane: Digital Art. New York: Thames & Hudson world of art, 2003.
Wardrip-Fruin, Noah; Montfort, Nick, ed.: The New Media Reader. Cambridge and London: The MIT Press, 2003.
Maeda, John: Maeda@Media. Rizolli, New York, 2000.
Maeda, John: Creative Code. Thames & Hudson, 2004.
Brand, Stewart. “Creating Creating” In Timeshift: The World in Twenty-Five Years, Ars Electronica 2003, edited by Gerfried Stocker and Christine Schoepf, 129-131. .Ostfildern-Ruit: Hatje Cantz, 2004.
Cramer, Florian: Concepts, Notations, Software, Art. Berlin, 2002. Avalilable online at: http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~cantsin/homepage/writings/software_art/concept_notations/ concepts_notations_software_art.html (link last checked Jan. 14, 2007).
McCullough, Malcolm: Abstracting Craft: The Practiced Digital Hand. London, England: The MIT Press, 1998.
Goriunova, Olga and Shulgin, Alexei: Read_me 2.3 Reader: About Software Art. Helsinki: Read_me 2.3 software art festival, 2003.
Daniels, Dieter: Strategies of Interactivity. Available online at: http://www.mediaartnet.org/source-text/65/ (link last checked Jan. 5 2005).
Casey Reas and Ben Fry: Processing: A Programming Handbook for Visual Designers and Artists. Forthcoming from MIT Press Fall 2007.
Huhtamo, Erkki: “Commentaries on Metacommentaries on Interactivity”, in CAD Forum, 4th International Conference on Development and Use of ComputerSystems, MediaScape, Zagreb.
David Rokeby: Transforming Mirrors: Subjectivity and Control in Interactive Media. Available online at http://homepage.mac.com/davidrokeby/mirrors.html (link last checked Jan. 14, 2007).
| 1