In class, we got to play around with for loops and variables as well as being introduced to how we can enter and insert data with processing. This was a really helpful class and gave me the skills to do the next steps. I am not quite sure at this stage what I want to do but I have a rough idea of a direction I would like to go in.
This was the first attempt we did as a class. My birthday being the 2nd created a tiny circle that is barely visible. 
This method would mean having to manually enter every piece of data which would take a lot of time and mistakes can easily be missed 
An int has been created. You would use int for full numbers (no halves or decimal points) 
Int keeps variables in one place, easy to modify, not the most efficient, still needs to be hand written, takes time 
int code so far 
First go with using array 
Array: is seen throughout different coding, used for storying multiple variations 
Forgetting to times by 10 in one of the ellipse parameters 
Adding further parameters to int 
Created i 
More birthdates 
Everyone in classes birthdays 
Adding some colour 
Playing with colour 
Adding more to ellipse, modifying the stroke weight 
Changing the position of the ellipse 
Making the location position more extreme 
I added text in and when I went to change its colour I filled in the ellipses. I used string s 
Confirming I can save a PDF through processing 
Need extra } 
Learning how to use the table function 
Forgot to *10 
Week 8 Notes
- How to enter data to processing:
- First attempt is done by hand, needs contact updating, if one parameter has been changed it will cause problems
- Int is for full numbers
- Int keeps variables in one place, easy to modify, not the most efficient, still needs to be hand written, takes time
- Array: is seen throughout different coding, used for storying multiple variations
- Float = numbers with decimals
- String = letters and words
- Bolean = true or false
- 0 will grab the first number in the array so it goes 0,1,2,3,4,5 etc. It will draw as many as in the array
- PDF is used for poster, laser cutting, vinyl and plotting to name a few
- Oneframe works for PDF
- Convert google docs/sheets to something that processing understands which is .csv (most common), .tsv
- File, download, .csv
- it is case sensitive, create data folder (lowercase d), images, fonts go into this data files
- File, download, .csv
- Table holds table data e.g. spreadsheets
- Header tells processing that the first line isn’t data but is a header
- State everything you need to do (workflow)
- Weather data – excel – csv – processing – pdf – Illustrator – Laser cutter
Idea Development –
Pieces of advice
Taking peoples words and turning them into a picture. Converting words into colours, lines to create an image
Colour, stickers, book, digital embroidery, poster
Words: Words of affirmation, what you want someone to say to you, what you would say to someone in the same situation as you, what would you want to tell your younger self
Practice
What I like about processing is that there is a lot you can do with it but it can take some time to learn the language. To help me get a better understanding I continued to practice.
Not sure how I did this. Was trying to create horizontal lines
Starting to play with colour 
Trying to make a gradient 
Gradient success 
Adding a black background makes the colour appear more vibrant 
Increased the strokeweight 
Increased the stroke weight 
Wanted to create a gradient of circles 
Changed it so that the ellipse go from top to bottom 
Removed the fill 
Changed the opacity (alpha) 
I inserted data from stats.govt.nz and starting playing around with it 
Made it so the rect gains all of its positioning from the data table 
Wanted to show a variation between the years but I did forget to change a part of the function so some of the rectangles look the same but in a different colour. As much as I like this, I can’t quite figure out how to change the size so they are lounger with less white space 
Changed the shape. Didn’t feel that this was as impactful. Maybe next time I could fill the shapes so that they stand out more 
I quite like circles but I feel that it has been done before but I understand ellipses the most. 
Data is from: http://archive.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/snapshots-of-nz/nz-social-indicators/Home/Health/suicide.aspx#anchor5
Examples and Research
What is Generative Art?
Generative Art is a process of algorithmically generating new ideas, forms, shapes, colors or patterns. First, you create rules that provide boundaries for the creation process. Then a computer (or less commonly a human) follows those rules to produce new works. Artists may spend day or even months exploring one idea whereas generative code artists use computers to generate thousands of ideas in milliseconds. By instructing programs to run within a set of artistic constraints, and guiding the process to a desired result.
The process allows for more artificial unplanned fortunate discovery — the happy accidents and novel ideas that normally take time to stumble upon.
“The design process strikes a balance between the expected and the unexpected, between control and relinquishment. While the processes are deterministic, the results are not foreseeable. The computer acquires the power to surprise us.”
MIchael Hansmeyer
“What I enjoy the most is the complex and intricate results you can get from a set of simple rules.”
Anders Hoff
What I like about Manolo design is the use of layering of colours that mix together on the page creating a sense of depth. The colours are warm and inviting and I enjoy the sense of random movement and excitement of the circles.
https://tylerxhobbs.com/essays/2018/executing-generative-art-with-a-plotter
What I like about Tyler Hobbs design is the amount of effort and time that would have had to go into this design. It is beautiful. There is a sense of flow and movement. The way that the colours start lighter at the top and get darker as they go down creates a sense of a landscape. The contrast draws you in and so does the repetitive shape that guide your eyes around the page.
What I like about Mark Stocks design is that without knowing what data was used you know that this outcome has something to do with the ocean. This makes it effective, generating audiences that have an interest in this topic. The design almost appears to be moving as the paint mixes together. I love the colours and the rhythm that this design produces.
The “plants” were algorithmically “grown” from computer code using artificial evolution and generative algorithms. Each plant-like form was derived from the starting graphic elements of oil company logos.
The title of the work refers to the original “Seven Sisters” — a cartel of seven oil companies that dominated the global petrochemical industry and Middle East oil production from the mid-1940s until the oil crisis of the 1970s.
“I use evolutionary algorithms to create artificial life forms that would be almost impossible to design directly.”
Jon McCormack
What I like about Jon McCormack’s design is the fact that he took something that already existed and turned it into something else to make a point. The scale makes an impact as the designs are hard to miss and play on the idea that the oil companies have made a large impact.
https://www.artnome.com/news/2018/8/8/why-love-generative-art
Georg Nees‘ 1968 work Schotter (Gravel), one of the earliest and best-known pieces of generative art. Schotter starts with a standard row of 12 squares and gradually increases the magnitude of randomness in the rotation and location of the squares as you move down the rows. Imagine for a second that you drew the image above yourself using a pen and a piece of paper and it took you one hour to produce. It would then take you ten hours if you wanted to add ten times the number of squares, right? A very cool and important characteristic of generative art is that Georg Nees could have added thousands more boxes, and it would only require a few small changes to the code. Back then, computers typically had no monitors, and the work was shared by printing the art on plotters, large printers designed for vector graphics.
What I like about George Ness’ design is the use of the simple shape being made powerful to show the effectiveness of generative art. Although there is randomness to the positioning, the use of repetition and movement as your eye follows the squares as they fall down the page, is used to create a sense of chaos. Proving how generative art is effective when wanting to play with scale, rotation etc at a quick speed.
https://www.paridhidiwan.com/generative-art
What I like about Paridhi Diwans design is how he took something as simple as the alphabet and managed to turn it into something as beautiful as above. Depending on the letter, the font, if it is capital or lower case, colour, position, rotation, if it has used multiple letters and the amount of each letters used will create a different pattern.
What I like about Valerio Viperinos design is he took data about generative art and then made a generative art piece with that information. It is clear to see what words are used commonly and what people say about generative art. The contrast makes the piece easy to read and grabs your attention creating a powerful design.
Further examples –
https://inconvergent.net/thoughts-on-generative-art/
https://www.artnome.com/news/2018/8/8/why-love-generative-art
https://www.artnome.com/news/2019/8/25/breeding-paintings-with-machine-learning
Coding for Creative Practice 