Programming for Visual Artists

Aalto University, 2025-2026

2025-2026 Course Materials

Sketches, Lab, sessions, slide decks, source files, and project prompts.

Teacher: Tiago Martins Pinto tiago.martinspinto@aalto.fi
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    Web Sketches

    Run p5.js companion sketches in the page.

    Web-first where possible

    Start with the embedded sketches. Open PDFs or Processing files when you need source material.

    Sketch Lab

    Edit p5.js companion sketches directly in the browser.

    Run Code in Place

    Choose a sketch, edit the JavaScript, and run it in the same page.

    Open the Lab

    Change One Thing at a Time

    Use the lab for small experiments: color values, sizes, speeds, loop counts, and function parameters.

    Privacy

    Code edits run locally in your browser and are not uploaded.

    Sessions

    Open a week when you want slides, sketches, instructions, and Processing material together.

    Slide Decks

    Choose a session deck and open it as a PDF.

    Choose a session deck

    Session 01 - Drawing, coordinates, and first functions
    Open PDF
    Slide Decks

    PDFs open in a regular tab because some browsers block embedded PDF readers.

    Projects

    Use these prompts to turn weekly sketches into larger creative work for the course.

    Project Brief 1

    Make a small interactive sketch using mouse position, color, and at least one custom function.

    Project Brief 2

    Make a generative composition using loops, randomness or noise, and one visual system you can clearly adjust.

    Final Project

    Develop an interactive or generative artwork that combines code structure with a personal visual direction.