Introduction to Programming for the Visual Arts with p5.js

University of California, Los Angeles via Kadenze

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Details

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Provider

Kadenze
Pricing

Free Online Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Paid Certificate Available
Duration & workload

66 hours
Sessions

On-Demand
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese

Found in

Overview

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.

Syllabus

Media: Load and display images, shapes, and fonts

This session will cover external media, file formats, how to load and display images, how to load and display vector shapes, how to load fonts and display text, and how to handle sound files.

Hello

In this session, we will cover the following topics: 1) What is Code? 2) Form and Computers 3) Drawing: Define and draw simple shapes; and 4) Color: Change the fill and stroke for shapes. You will also be introduced to p5.js so you can start creating your own work!

Motion: Move and choreograph shapes

In this session you will learn about types of motion in code, how to create motion with code, transformations, and timers.

Functions: Build new code modules

This session will introduce functions. We will cover the basics of functions, functions with parameters, and returning values from functions.

Synthesis A, Nonlinear Narrative

In this session we will begin putting the elements together. We will use longer examples including modes, events, and transitions.

Objects: Create code modules that combine variables and functions

In this session you will learn how to define a class, add fields and methods to a class, create an instance of a class, and create multiple instances of a class.

Synthesis B, Game

This session will focus on putting the elements together to create work including motion, objects, and arrays. It will also cover collisions.

Flow and Response

In this session, we will cover the following topics: 1) Setup and Draw: Creating programs that run over time. 2) Input, Responding to the mouse and keyboard. 3) Drawing. 4) Make different tools with code. 5) Conditionals, Making decisions in code. 6) Easing.

Variables and Loops

This session will cover variables and how to store, modify, and reuse data; loops, and how to use Random to get random values from the computer.

Arrays: Working with lists of variables

In this session you will learn what arrays are, how to declare and create arrays, how to assign and ready values, and more.

Extend: Adding cameras and more

This session will cover using video and video playback, adding camera images and analysis, manipulating the DOM, integrating existing JavaScript libraries, and working with p5.js in instance mode.

Taught by

Lauren McCarthy, Casey Reas and Chandler McWilliams

Reviews

4.9 rating, based on 36 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Introduction to Programming for the Visual Arts with p5.js

Guilherme Fonseca @gafbf

Great course for who wants to know how to program interactivity with an incredible tool. Processing rules! Thanks
Rates

If you want to learn how to code but get turned off by the idea of writing dull shopping list programs, this course is for you. It's code in the context of art, making it very accessible to artists and designers. The assignments are all based around making interactive pictures you can share on the web. You will learn fundamental coding concepts and with a little effort will take you to the start of intermediate level coding, ready to take on more advanced computer science topics. I Really enjoyed it.
Hasti Maghsoodi

As we're in the middle of the age of technology, it can be extremely helpful for us, the designers, to be equipped with the knowledge of creative coding. This course provided a significant remote learning environment by gathering experts (professor…

As we're in the middle of the age of technology, it can be extremely helpful for us, the designers, to be equipped with the knowledge of creative coding.

This course provided a significant remote learning environment by gathering experts (professors and lead developers of p5.js) of this specific topic from top universities who are not only good programmers, but also great teachers. Their teaching method is straight forward and to the point so the students won't become confused and overwhelmed with the new information.

They also give you brief histories about computers and their development progress where it is related, which I find really intriguing.

I have to say that my favorite part of this Kadenze course is their grading system. The instructions to do the assignments is really clear and it will guide you perfectly to score high. In addition to that, the topics of each assignment is super exciting and creative and help you experience a lot of fun on the journey of learning. They announce the final evaluation of your homework so fast and accurate.

Moreover, you'll have access to all the website forums in case you face technical or course-related difficulties. You can ask your questions there and get back on the right track.

Another interesting thing about this course is that you don't have to do the assignments to watch the whole educational videos, this option can be suitable for a lot of people; but of course, doing the assignments will help you understand the lessons much better. Besides, for getting the final certification (which is a valid certification from UCLA) you have to do the assignments. The final grade written on your certification will be a cumulation of all of your grades.

Overall, This course satisfied me in different aspects and I'm looking forward to learn more with Kadenze.
Anonymous

It is amazing to see the other student work in the gallery of this course! Also I can't believe I get to Learn from Casey Raes , the inventor of processing!
F FP

I enjoyed this course, as much for the production values (I mean, listen to that music!) as for the content, which I studied at the same time as I was going through some books on the subject. It is concise, precise and to the point. Thank you!
Matteo Caristo

Hello, my name is Matteo Caristo and I want to congratulate you about the wonderful course I followed: precisely the one about the introduction to p5.js . Apart from the other courses that Kadenze offers, I think this one's most interesting especially for the free support software that can be downloaded and used right away. I had some difficulty with the language, having only studied English at school. So it would have been better if there had been at least the subtitles in Italian, but in any case one can follow it quite well due to the fact that professors show their way of writing sketches with corrections and the final result of the project using the IDE software I was speaking before.
Martina Solés

It's amazing to learn directly from Casey Reas, Lauren McCarthy and Chandler McWilliams.

The sessions are always really interesting. The method usually follows this logic: Chandler explains in detail every concept, keeping it easy to understand; Casey gives you cool (retro) referents and a some history related to the session (always really interesting! ); then Lauren makes you think forward with all the possibilities of her program, with demonstrations step by step.
Daniel Salamanca

This is one of the best programming classes I have ever took. The teachers are great (you have videos from the creators of Processing and P5.js) they explain very well, they teach you the fundamentals but also some history, great references and best practices.
Anonymous

If you are interested in computers and/or art , would like to be creative - take this course. The lessons are formidable and the tutors fantastic. I've took many online courses in the area of programing, web development etc., but this one is one I love from start to the end. I wish, there will be a part 2 someday.

Awesome, 5 / 5, and a big THANKS to Casey, Lauren, Chandler and the invisible crew who made it .
Anonymous

Great course. I am really thankfull for learning this!
Great course. I am really thankfull for learning this!
Great course. I am really thankfull for learning this!
Great course. I am really thankfull for learning this!
Anonymous

This course is very good, given by the people that created p5.js so, it cannot get better than this. I wish they talked about random sooner but otherwise is just perfect
Anonymous

I have learned so much with this course! It has given me tools to develop my own creative coding ideas! I love receive comments of other students on my works.
Anonymous

This is the best course around on this subject! Really looking forward for the next courses I'll be making in this area
Anonymous

great course! my level of coding has increased a lot! every class i learn something useful for my journey!
Anonymous

I am a complete beginner to coding and I found this course easy to understand. The course starts with basic concepts and makes its way up to more complex processes, which makes it great for beginners and more advanced students as well.
Anonymous

This is a great introductory primer for visual artists curious to understand how to make coding a part of their visual arts practice.
Anonymous

Excellent introduction to P5 and the concepts of generative art. Well done and thank you to the creators of the course.
Anonymous

This is a great course if you're interested in Creative Coding. They walk you through a lot of examples before your assignment and each assignment is graded. The community is small enough that the forum is active and the deadlines are flexible. I've tried other coding courses, but this visual approach is great for artists and designers to learn to code.
Anonymous

I'm just a little way into the course, but I'm really impressed and enjoying it. The materials are clear and interesting and the instructors really know their stuff as the creators of P5. I like the interplay between the three of them. The exercises are wonderfully visual and while the homework takes some time, it's worth it.
Lucia Madriz

The course takes you from cero to the sky... Everything is very well explained, you can go along step by step, you can stop the video and replay as need it. The course also has a bit of computer art history which I very much appreciated. The exercises are challenging but also very exciting. Recommended!