Critical Computation

15 cartoony faces drawn in thin and doodly black strokes are displayed in a 3 by 5 grid.

Weird Faces Vending Machine (2013) by Matthias Dörfelt

Form Generator

Objective

Build a simple generator that makes multiple variations of the same form.

Description

In parameterized design, you are a conductor rather than an individual musician. Instead of producing a single design where you have to draw out all the details step by step, you are using code to create a set of parameters that generate a variety of results.

For Assignment 2, you will explore the possibility of a form through its parameters. Then you will create a simple generator that will create multiple variations of the form through mouse or keyboard interactions.

This is an individual assignment. You are welcome to ideate and brainstorm with your peers, but the work you submit should be your own.

Design Constraint

Canvas Size: 400 x 400px

Timeline

Part 1 : DUE 9/15 (BFADT section B DUE: 9/14)

  1. Begin by choosing a form that can be parameterized — it can be a representational form such as a face, a plant, or a piece of furniture. Or it can be an abstract form that has the ability to shapeshift and transform.
  2. Create two drawings on this 400 * 400 px grid template. You can use Photoshop, Slides, or any computer drawing software of your choice to create your mockups. Alternatively you can also draw on a piece of paper. The first drawing should depict the form at its maximum scale, and the second drawing should depict the form at its minimum scale.

Part 2: DUE 9/22 (BFADT section B DUE: 9/21)

  1. Transfer your drawings into the p5 sketch. Plug the maximum / minimum values into random() for each of the attributes.
  2. Make sure that you include the following technical components in your sketch:
    • User-defined variables
    • random()
    • mouseX and mouseY, mousePressed() or keyPressed()
  3. Closely observe how the attributes relate to one another in every variation, and refine the parameters until every variation feels intentional.
  4. On your CC portfolio page, please reflect upon the following:
    • Describe your design process. And include your design sketches.
    • What have you discovered about the form you've chosen through this assignment?

Submission Guidelines

Please submit your sketch to two places:

  1. Submit the sketch to the CC Lab class Canvas Assignment 2
  2. Add the sketch to your Critical Computation portfolio

Tutorials