Syllabus

This course introduces the tools and themes of new-media art, with a special focus on generative art, information visualization, and the art of interactivity. Students will create projects using three different arts-engineering toolkits:

  • Processing, a free, cross-platform, open-source text-based programming environment for the arts, based on Java and JavaScript;
  • Arduino, a low-cost, open-source microcontroller, programmed in a C-like language, widely used for creating interactive objects and environments;
  • Max/MSP/Jitter, sometime simply called Max, a patch-based programming environment with powerful audiovisual capabilities.

Grading for this course is based on frequent-low-stakes assessment: Each assignment is graded on a scale of 0-4; of the maximum of four points, two points are dedicated to concept and two points for execution.  For each of the criteria of concept and execution:

  • 0 – incomplete: does not satisfy objectives, fails to meet request
  • 1 – satisfactory: answers the prompt
  • 2 – outstanding: surprises, shows deep insight

Assignments are generally graded a few (0-7) days after their due date. Assignments received after grading days receive no credit for the assignment.