Creating Generative Art with Processing

Class will be taught by Gene Kogan
Tuesdays, March 20, 27 and April 3 - 6:30 to 9:30pm
Cost for 9 Hour Class: Regular: $260, Members & Students (with ID): $230
See the website to sign up

This class will explore the field of generative art, using the Processing language. Students will learn methods for creating compelling artworks by algorithms and autonomous processes inspired from nature, statistics, biology, and computer science. We will primarily focus on applications to graphic art, both animated and still, and will also consider 3d digital fabrication and architecture, data visualization, and special topics proposed by students. The class will be taught in Processing but the concepts are applicable to other languages and tools. Although the class is introductory, we will dive into advanced concepts quickly and all students will end each class with a completed and original art work built from techniques learned in class.

Day 1 : We will introduce some relevant artists, works, and resources pertaining to generative art, and talk about different strategies for creating it by analyzing the techniques we come across in our survey. We will then do a swift introduction to the Processing language, covering graphic commands, animation, creating classes, and installing libraries. Students who are already comfortable programming will be able to skip ahead and start making artworks.

Day 2 : We will probe more sophisticated techniques by adding Perlin noise, physics simulation, color strategy, and interactivity into our sketches. Students will have the option of following along with all the examples, or extending ideas introduced in class with their own programs.

Day 3 : We will do a survey of advanced techniques, including 3D geometry and data visualization, and their applications to generative art. We will then break up into groups, and work on programs in the topics that interest us.


Gene is a software artist, music technologist, and researcher specializing in the intersection of generative systems and data mining. He currently works at Sourcetone.com developing software which delivers music according to its emotional content. His blog and freelance projects can be found at www.culturehacking.fm.