New York University

Creative Coding

Creative Coding will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of object oriented programming, using code as a method for self-expression in a variety of media, such as 2D graphics, animation, image, and video processing.
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Length 3 to 6 months
Effort 8-10 hours per week
Price Free
Subject Design
Level Introductory
Languages English
Video Transcripts English

About this course

In Creative Coding, students are introduced to object-oriented programming concepts, moving past the sequential problem solving found in typical beginner programming classes to use the computer as a creative medium for art, games, and graphic design. This introductory course will introduce you to a variety of concepts in programming, and how they can be applied creatively to work in a variety of media, such as 2D graphics, animation, image and video processing. A strong focus will be on creating interactive experiences for the web. By the end of this course, students will be empowered to read and write javascript for creative applications. This is reinforced through weekly assignments and a midterm and final project that leverage the skills learned in the course

What you'll learn

  • The fundamentals of computational thinking applied through p5.js
  • Best practices for designing software within an event-driven, object-oriented, real time framework
  • How to ideate and conceptualize original creative works in the medium of software
  • Cultural literacy of the computational arts by critically engaging with historic and contemporary practices
  • Personal learning strategies, project planning and problem solving skills

Course syllabus

  • Week 1: Introduction to the class. Basics of 2D Drawing
  • Week 2: Variables and Conditionals
  • Week 3: Looping and Repetition
  • Week 4: Color
  • Week 5: Functions and Interaction with the Keyboard and Mouse
  • Week 6: Transformation and Translation
  • Week 7: Harmonic Motion and Animation
  • Week 8: Object-Oriented Programming
  • Week 9: The Document Object Model (DOM)
  • Week 10: Generative Text and Typography: An Introduction to the RiTa Addon for p5.js
  • Week 11: Data Visualization and APIs
  • Week 12: Image
  • Week 13: Video
  • Week 14: Final Project Submission

Meet the instructors

Kevin Siwoff

Adjunct Professor

New York University