Intro to Generative Typography with p5.js

Words "Generative Typography" getting dispersed and pixellated, white type on black background

Overview

  • Online (Zoom)
  • 10 weeks · 18 seats total
    • Mondays, Jan. 30 - Apr. 3, 2023
    • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
Weekly Structure
  • 2 hours of live class
  • 1 hour of recorded lecture
  • Optional office hours
A long haired Asian woman on top of a light blue background
Lynne YunInstructor
A man of southeast-asian descent smiles in front of blue background.
Kevin YehInstructor
Course DetailsScheduleFacultyFunding

Since the invention of written language, typography as a practice has existed and adapted to the many forms of human expression — from being cast in metal to being manipulated within photographic mediums. Recently, the ability to engage in visual coding through the browser has become easier than ever, opening the doors for creatives to generate and digitally manipulate font structures and layouts to create new and exciting compositions.

This class will focus on generative design as it pertains to typography and letterforms. We will explore the building blocks of algorithmic art and apply those tools to manipulate digital type, which is, at its core, a series of data points. In addition to visual coding, the class will engage in critical discussions about the computational nature of creation. How does this differ from historical methods of typographic exploration, and what can we take from the past to build upon it? How do we create generative designs that are meaningful as opposed to frivolous? Could we express care and thoughtfulness through interactive art and design?

P5.js will be the main programming library for the course, and students who are new to programming are welcome. Techniques covered in this course will include building visual compositions with code, manipulating pixel and vector data, and implementing them in real-time applications, such as computer-assisted handwriting and animation.

Audience and Format

This course will assume no prior experience with programming or Javascript for the students, and will cover all fundamentals during the course. That being said, students with no prior experience should expect to allot extra time reviewing the course material after each class in order to solidify their understanding of new concepts.

The course is structured in a hybrid live/self-study format. In the first section of the workshop, weekly live and recorded lectures will tie together typographic and programmatic concepts, and browser-based interactive projects will be assigned with specific goals.

In-class time will be devoted to reviewing projects, building programmatic intuition, and discussing readings and concepts related to generative typography. Outside of class, all students should expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours per week completing readings, assignments, and viewing the recorded coding lecture.

In the final weeks of the workshop, you will apply generative form-making tools as part of your design process in a self-selected medium, such as an interactive website, animated sequence, or dynamic branding identity. We'll hold 1:1 critique sessions to support your creative and technical process.

Throughout the course, we'll be available during class and on slack for all your questions, concerns, and ideas — along with your peers.

Goals

  • Gaining a perspective on the inner workings of computational tools and processes
  • fearlessness to engage and create generative art on the web
  • Critical reasoning as it applies to computational making

Learning Outcomes

  • Comfort in Javascript programming
  • Confidence in the P5.js environment
  • Familiarity with technological advances in typography
  • An understanding of digital structures for various data types (images, font files, etc)

Material Requirements

  • A reliable internet connection
  • A free Zoom Account
  • A free Slack account (an invitation to a class group will be sent to each participant)
  • Access to a computer with a modern browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox)
  • A free account on the p5.js web editor

Scholarship Information

Scholarship seats are available for this course. Please check out more details on the scholarship page. This scholarship is open to all Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, with priority given to those who have limited resources or access to educational opportunities.

Overview

  • Online (Zoom)
  • 10 weeks · 18 seats total
    • Mondays, Jan. 30 - Apr. 3, 2023
    • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
Weekly Structure
  • 2 hours of live class
  • 1 hour of recorded lecture
  • Optional office hours
A long haired Asian woman on top of a light blue background
Lynne YunInstructor
A man of southeast-asian descent smiles in front of blue background.
Kevin YehInstructor
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