University of California Los Angeles

This course is an introduction to writing code within the context of the visual arts. It asks two primary questions: What is the potential of software within the visual arts? As a designer or artist, why would I want (or need) to write software? Software influences all aspects of contemporary visual culture. Many established artists have integrated software into their process. Prominent architects and designers not only use software, they commission custom software to help them realize their unique ideas. The creators of every innovative video game and Hollywood animated film write custom software to enhance their work. As a comprehensive first introduction to the potential of software development within a broad range of the arts, this course aspires to teach you to engage the computer more directly with code. Programming opens the possibility to create not only tools, but systems, environments, and new modes of expression. It is here that the computer ceases to be a tool and becomes a medium.

History of interactive coding Creative coding Interactive aesthetics

Session 1: Hello Session 2: Variables And Loops Session 3: Flow And Response Session 4: Media: Load And Display Images, Shapes, And Fonts Session 5: Synthesis A, Nonlinear Narrative Session 6: Motion: Move And Choreograph Shapes Session 7: Functions: Build New Code Modules Session 8: Objects: Create Code Modules That Combine Variables And Functions Session 9: Arrays: Working With Lists Of Variables Session 10: Synthesis B, Game Session 11: Extend: Adding Cameras And More