Ptarmigan is now closed.

Processing (processing.org) is technically speaking a java extended class but it is well hidden and we can consider it to be nice simple open source software. Processing is one of the most popular programming environment among artists, with over 400 000 downloads since 2001. Beside openFrameworks, Cinder++, Adobe Flash and MaxMSP - Processing stands out with its simplicity and fast entry point. When one starts using Processing they are not limited to its IDE and it’s base functionality. You can easily integrate processing to other more complex code editors like eclipse and extend it with many useful libraries. Processing is good tool set for anyone interested in creative coding. Ben Fry (the Processing co founder)'s  mission statement from the Eyeo 2011 festival: “Processing seeks to ruin the careers of talented designers by tempting them away from their usual tools and into the world of programming and computation. Similarly, the project is designed to turn engineers and computer scientists to less gainfull employment as artists and designers”

This workshop aims to introduce Processing to anyone who is interested in creative coding. We are covering the very basics of the software and a few more complex subjects like form finding and multiple instances.  Since we are covering subjects quickly, it is very important to try Processing before the workshop.

NB! Bring your own computer equipped with processing and eclipse.

Workshop price: 10€ (you can pay on the spot in cash).

Programming skills are not mandatory but very helpful.

Objectives

• To introduce Processing IDE;
• To introduce basics in software (variables, assignments, statements);
• To introduce visual feedback;
• To introduce objects and classes (more complex data structures);
• To introduce output opportunities;
• To use as much as possible hands-on training.

Schedule

First day:

• Processing overview
• Elements of programming
• Hello world!
• Drawing
• Variables
• Interaction
• Media

Second day:

• Functions
• Objects
• Arrays
• Publishing

Led by:

Raul Kalvo
Raul has graduated from Estonian Academy of Arts - Architecture and City planning department 2009. Worked on numerous exhibition and interaction design projects. Teaching software and  geometry related courses in Estonian Academy of Arts since 2008.

Resources:

Software
processing.org
Ben Fry & Casey Reas - Eyeo Festival 2011 (on state of the processing)  https://vimeo.com/28117873

Processing tutorials
http://processing.org/learning/
http://www.shiffman.net/teaching/nature/
http://www.funprogramming.org/

Books
Learing Processing - A Beginner’s Guid to Programming Image, Animation, and Interactuib by Danile Shiffman, Margan Kaufamm, 2008
Getting Started with Processing by Ben Fry and Casey Reas, O’Reilly, 2010
Processing by Ben Fry and Casey Reas, MIT Press,  2007
Programming Interactivity by Joshua Nobel, O’Reilly, 2010
Visualizing Data by Ben Fry, O’Reilly, 2008
Generative art - a practical guid using processing by matt pearson, manning 2011
Algorithms for Visual Design Using the Processing Language by Kostas Terzidis, Wiley 2009