Otso Havanto

Programming for Visual Artists

Learn the basics of programming by creating screen-based visuals with Java Script and the p5.js library. P5.js is a Java Script library similar to the popular Java-based Processing. The emphasis of this course is to introduce techniques for creating generative screen-based visuals

Aalto Spring 2021 schedule:

  • Mon, 1.3: Introduction, discussion, Glitch intro
  • Tue, 2.3: P5.js editor, shapes, coordinates and colours.
  • Mon, 8.3: Variables, randomness
  • Tue, 9.3: Animating with trigonometric functions
  • Mon, 15.3.: If-else, for-loop
  • Tue, 16.3.: For-loop, noise
  • Mon, 22.3.: Audio input, Interaction
  • Tue, 23.3.: Images and video
  • Mon, 29.3: Personal project
  • Tue, 30.3: Personal project
  • Tue, 6.3.: Presentations, course feedback

Chapters:

Introduction

Course introduction and practical things

Generative art

Thoughts about generative art and approach on this course

Starting with p5.js - coordinates, shapes and colors

Getting started with p5.js

Randomness and variables

Revisiting shapes and coordinates, introducing randomness, color modes and variables

Movement

Animating with trigonometric functions, introducing translations

For loops and if statements

Introducing for-loops and if statements

Noise and for loops

Organic looking movement with the noise function

Audio and interaction

Audio visualization and other interaction with p5.js

Images and video

Manipulating images and video in p5

Course project

Instructions and tips for the course project

Other resources

Resources and links for next steps