Introduction to Computational Media Syllabus
Che-Wei Wang
Week 1 -- Introduction
- Class Introductions
- Why are we here? What is computational media? What is programming? What is it good for? What kinds of programming languages are there?
- The Algorithm
- High Level vs. Low Level.
- Processing and the Java Virtual Machine
- The Fundamentals of Programming
- Coordinate Systems
- Shapes and Color -- tutorial on learningprocessing.com
- Code itself & The Reference
- Pressing the "Play" button
- Exporting as an applet vs. application
- Homework
- Chapters 1-2 from Learning Processing.
- Also, chapters 1-3 from Getting Started with Processing
- download and install Processing
- Sign up for course mailing list!
- Create your own screen drawing, using only 2D primitive shapes – arc(), curve(), ellipse(), line(), point(), quad(), rect(), triangle() – and basic color functions – background(), colorMode(), fill(), noFill(), noStroke(), stroke(). Remember to use size() to specify the dimensions of your window.
- Upload your assignment and post a link to the homework wiki (Mon Class).
- Examples: http://www.learningprocessing.com/examples/ -- take a look at Chapter 1 and 2 (3 if you are feeling ambitious).
Week 2 -- Interaction and Variation
- The flow: code blocks, setup, draw, and events
- Variables: Declare, Initialize, Use
- Random
- Other Resources:
- Homework:
- Read Chapters 3-4 from Learning Processing.
- Also, chapters 4-5 from Getting Started with Processing
- Create a dynamic application. You can continue to elaborate on last week's assignment or you can design something new. For example, move your shapes around the screen according to mouse / keyboard interaction. Use variables to change colors, grow and shrink your design, etc. Start by working in pairs (according to the wiki: Mon Class) You can post as a group or break off and complete the assignment individually.
Week 3 -- Conditionals, Loops
- Boolean Variables
- Loops
- Homework
- Read Chapters 5-6 from Learning Processing.
- Try Exercise 5-6 and Exercise 5-8. We will go over answers in class.
- Homework: Continue to elaborate on last week's assignment incorporating conditionals. Use the new pairs (according to the wiki: Mon Class) You can post as a group or break off and complete the assignment individually.
Week 4 -- Modularity: Functions and Objects
- Functions: Modularity!
- Re-usability and Parameter Passing
- Object-Orientation!
- Homework
- Chapters 7 and 8 from Learning Processing.
- Also, chapters 8-9 from Getting Started with Processing
- Try exercise 7-8 and Exercise 8-5. We will go over answers in class.
- Re-organize the code of a previous assignment or example using functions and objects. If you are inspired by the power of modularity, feel free to elaborate on the assignment. Work individually or in pairs (no pairs will be assigned this week.) Post results to the wiki: Mon Class
Week 5 -- Arrays (and Iteration review)
- Reviewing looping
- Arrays
- Dano's handout
- Chapters 6 and 9, from Learning Processing.
- Homework: Using arrays and loops, write a program that creates multiple instances of an object (feel free to use an object you developed previously or create something new).
- Try Exercise 9-6 and Exercise 9-7. We will go over answers in class.
Week 6 -- Images and Pixels
- Images
- Video as Image
- Video as Sensor
- Danny's Examples:
- Learning Processing, Chapters 15-16
- Homework: Incorporate the pixels of an image (or video) into a Processing sketch.
- Midterm: Brainstorm an idea for a midterm project. Feel free to think of your midterm on as grand a scale as you like, however, the midterm assignment will involve implementing only one step of a larger project. Remember, it's only a one week assignment! Be prepared to speak briefly about your midterm idea next week.
Week 7 -- Review Midterm Ideas, Review Video Libraries and also basic Strings
- Discussion of contributed Processing libraries for video and computer vision
- Strings!
- String Parsing:
- Chapter 17-18, Learning Processing
- What is Electronic Writing
- Homework: Complete midterm assignment and be prepared to show your work next week. Document the "larger idea" for the project, as well as your "one-step" implementation exercise.
Week 8 -- Show Midterms
Week 9 -- Loading external data into Processing, introduction to PHP
- Updated tutorial: http://www.learningprocessing.com/tutorials/external-data-into-processing-1/
- Text Parsing: length(), equals(), indexOf(), substring(), split(), join()
- Input from keyboard: user input
- loadString(): data from text files!
- Chapter 17-18, Learning Processing
- What is Electronic Writing
- Homework: Create a sketch that loads data into Processing or saves data out of Processing using loadStrings() and saveStrings()/PrintWriter. Post a link to your assignment on the wiki. Here are some suggestions:
- Take a previous sketch you made and use saveStrings() or PrintWriter to save data that the sketch can remember next time it runs.
- Load a large body of text (novel, speech, blog posts, e-mails, etc.) and visualize the frequency of words in the text.
- Although we haven't covered PHP yet, try using one of these php scripts in combination with loadStrings():
- Also, here's a great tutorial about NYTimes API and Processing http://blog.blprnt.com/blog/blprnt/processing-json-the-new-york-times Make an example based off this tutorial.
- Remember, some sketches won't run online as applets! http://www.learningprocessing.com/tutorials/sandbox/ Simply post documentation and your code if you run into problems.
Week 10 -- Processing and databases
Week 11 -- Propose Final Projects
Week 12 -- Final Project Workshop
Week 13 -- Final Project Presentations
Week 14 -- Final Project Presentations
Requirements
- You are required to attend all class meetings and submit all weekly assignments, a midterm, and a final project.
- Grading (pass/fail) will be based on a combination of factors:
- Attendance and participation in class discussion and engagement in other students' projects.
- Quality of weekly assignments, midterm, and final project.
- Personal progress; how much did you advance from your initial state in this class.
|
