Creative coding is a type of

computer programming Computer programming or coding is the composition of sequences of instructions, called computer program, programs, that computers can follow to perform tasks. It involves designing and implementing algorithms, step-by-step specifications of proc ...

in which the goal is to create something expressive instead of something functional. It is used to create live visuals and for

VJing VJing (pronounced: ''VEE-JAY-ing'') is a broad designation for realtime visual performance. Characteristics of VJing are the creation or manipulation of imagery in realtime through technological mediation and for an audience, in synchronization ...

, as well as creating visual art and design, entertainment (e.g.

video games A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...

), art installations, projections and

projection mapping Projection mapping, similar to video mapping and spatial augmented reality, is a video projection, projection technique used to turn objects, often irregularly shaped, into display surfaces for video projection. The objects may be complex industr ...

, sound art, advertising, product

prototype A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and Software prototyping, software programming. A prototype ...

s, and much more.

History

Using programming to create art is a practice that started in the 1960s. In later decades groups such as Compos 68 successfully explored programming for artistic purposes, having their work exhibited in international exhibitions. From the 80s onward expert programmers joined the

demoscene The demoscene () is an international computer art subculture focused on producing demos: self-contained, sometimes extremely small, computer programs that produce audiovisual presentations. The purpose of a demo is to show off computer programmi ...

, and tested their skills against each other by creating "demos": highly technically competent visual creations. Recent exhibitions and books, including Dominic Lopes' ''A Philosophy of Computer Art'' (2009) have sought to examine the integral role of coding in contemporary art beyond that of Human Computer Interface (HCI). Criticising Lopes however, Juliff and Cox argue that Lopes continues to privilege interface and user at the expense of the integral condition of code in much computer art. Arguing for a more nuanced appreciation of coding, Juliff and Cox set out contemporary creative coding as the examination of code and intentionality as integral to the users understanding of the work. Currently there is a renewed interest in the question of why programming as a method of producing art hasn't flourished.

Google Google LLC (, ) is an American multinational corporation and technology company focusing on online advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, consumer electronics, and artificial ...

has renewed interest in their Dev Art initiative, but this in turn has elicited strong reactions from a number of creative coders who claim that coining a new term to describe their practice is counterproductive.

Artists using creative coding

Some contemporary artists who use creative coding in their work are Daniel Shiffman, Zachary Lieberman,

Golan Levin Golan (; ) is the name of a biblical town later known from the works of Josephus (first century CE) and Eusebius (''Onomasticon'', early 4th century CE). Archaeologists localize the biblical city of Golan at Sahm el-Jaulān, a Syrian village ea ...

, Ben Fry, and

Giles Whitaker (artist) Giles Whitaker (born 1973) is a New Zealand artist who specialises in digital media, sound art, and generative and interactive coding-based art. Early life and education Whitaker was born in England and emigrated to New Zealand at the age of ...

List of creative coding software

Although any technology or programming language can potentially be used for creative purposes, certain

libraries A library is a collection of Book, books, and possibly other Document, materials and Media (communication), media, that is accessible for use by its members and members of allied institutions. Libraries provide physical (hard copies) or electron ...

and frameworks have been specifically crafted to aid in the rapid prototyping and development of creative works. Software toolkits frequently used in this context include:

Hardware use

Creative coding occasionally involves hardware components for inputting data from the environment, producing output or for interacting with participants. Examples of commonly used hardware includes

microphones A microphone, colloquially called a mic (), or mike, is a transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as telephones, hearing aids, public address systems for concert halls and publi ...

webcams A webcam is a video camera which is designed to record or stream to a computer or computer network. They are primarily used in Videotelephony, video telephony, live streaming and social media, and Closed-circuit television, security. Webcams can b ...

or depth cameras, motion controllers, single-board microcontrollers,

MIDI controllers A MIDI controller is any hardware or software that generates and transmits Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) data to MIDI-enabled devices, typically to trigger sounds and control parameters of an electronic music performance. They mos ...

projectors A projector or image projector is an optical device that projects an image (or moving images) onto a surface, commonly a projection screen. Most projectors create an image by shining a light through a small transparent lens, but some newer typ ...

, LED strips,

printers Printer may refer to: Technology * Printer (publishing), a person * Printer (computing), a hardware device * Optical printer for motion picture films People * Nariman Printer (fl. c. 1940), Indian journalist and activist * James Printer (1 ...

and

plotters A plotter is a computer printer for printing vector graphics. Plotter may also refer to: * Plotter (instrument), an instrument that marks positions on a map or chart * Plotter (RAF), a person who records the movement of military aircraft in an Ope ...

References

* *{{citation , first = Ira , last = Greenberg , title = Processing: Creative Coding and Computational Art (Foundation) , date = May 28, 2007 , edition = 1st , publisher = friends of ED , page = 840 , isbn = 978-1-59059-617-3 , url = http://friendsofed.com/book.html?isbn=159059617X , access-date = March 12, 2014 , archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110127204040/http://www.friendsofed.com/book.html?isbn=159059617X , archive-date = January 27, 2011 , url-status = dead

External links

The Art of Creative Coding
Video produced by Off Book
Creative Application Network, a website that showcases new workDev Art - Art made with Code, a project by GoogleCreativeCode.io, an education initiative of GrayArea.org

push.conference
is a series of events and workshops aiming to unite Creative Coders & User Experience Designers
OF Course
is a creative coding program to give both hardcore coders and designers with no programming experience the hands on experience, tools, ideas, and full support for making their own stunning projects.
Vidcode
is a creative coding platform for K-12 classrooms to learn to code through creative coding courses. Computer programming Creativity techniques

History

Artists using creative coding

List of creative coding software

Hardware use

See also

References

External links