This course introduces the fundamentals of coding and design required to create expressive interactive artworks. Students will learn how to conceptualise, realise, and evaluate an original interactive artwork using a high-level programming language. They will experiment with computer graphics, sound, and input devices and learn programming concepts required for accomplishing their creative objectives.

The course introduces the creative possibilities presented by the computer in the modern art world, fundamental concepts of visual and interactive design, and recent developments in art and interaction computing. Topics covered include interactive and new media art, interaction design, program organisation, variables, control structures, graphics, and audio.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the qualities of computer-based artworks and recent developments in interactive computational art.
2. Apply knowledge of visual and physical interaction with a computer interface including recent developments.
3. Design and construct computer programs in a programming language for interactive art.
4. Create and evaluate an original and creative work of interactive art.

Research-Led Teaching

This course introduces aspects of computer-based art related to current research in computer art and music taking place at ANU. For instance, current computer-based artworks created by ANU staff will be discussed as case-studies in aspects of interaction. New techniques, such as creative applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence will be considered as extension material. The course draws upon the rich practice-led research experiences of the ANU computer science, art and music staff in exploring this field.

Recommended Resources

Resources are listed on the course website .

There are several textbooks available online through the ANU Library on p5.js and creative coding, these three cover similar topics to this course and are a good resource:

• Make: Getting Started with p5.js. Lauren McCarthy, Casey Reas, and Ben Fry. 2015. (link)
• Learn JavaScript with p5.js: Coding for Visual Learners. Engin Arslan. 2018. (link)
• Coding Art: The Four Steps to Creative Programming with the Processing Language. Mathias Funk and Yu Zhang. 2021. (link)

We maintain a bibliography of useful resources about interactive computer art and music: https://cpmpercussion.github.io/art-and-interaction-bibliography/

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	intro to coding art in p5	Lab: basics of p5 - put a circle on the internet
2	variables and chance	Lab: basics of p5 - shapes, colours, and coordinates
3	conditionals, iteration and colours	Lab: generative art with algorithms
4	functions, arrays, and critique	Lab: interactive art with p5
5	objects and interaction	Lab: kaleidoscopes with functions and arrays
6	sound and music computing	Lab: create a pokegarden with objects
7	interactive sound art in p5	Lab: making sounds with p5
8	data art	Lab: collections and structures in p5
9	storyboards and interaction design	Lab: major project storyboard
10	recent developments and beyond	Lab: a sketch for your major project
11	simulations, dynamics, and artificial life	Lab: iterating, revising, and pruning your major project
12	creative machine learning and generative AI	Lab: final touches on your major project

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Dynamic Artwork	20 %	14/08/2023	28/08/2023	1,3
Interactive Artwork	20 %	04/09/2023	18/09/2023	1,2,3
Multi-modal Interactive Artwork	20 %	03/10/2023	17/10/2023	1,2,3
Major Project	40 %	30/10/2023	*	2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to attend all lectures and labs in person for the course as these learning activities are collaborative. Students must fully participate in lab activities to receive staged feedback on assessment designs.

Assessment Task 1

Dynamic Artwork

Assignment 1 involves creating a dynamic artwork in p5.js that is interesting, coherent and engaging (see course website for required design specifications).

The artwork will be submitted as a GitLab repository consisting of p5.js code, assets and resources, an artist's statement, and a statement of originality.

Late submission is not permitted.

Rubric

Criteria	HD	D	CR	P	N
Sophistication of articulation and application of concepts of computer-based art. (50%)	The artwork applies highly sophisticated concepts. The statement describes and critically engages in these qualities to an excellent or outstanding degree.	The artwork that applies sophisticated concepts. The statement that describes and discusses these qualities.	Some concepts have been applied but there may be gaps in sophistication. The statement describes these qualities.	The artwork that may only apply some concepts or apply them in a simplistic way. The statement describes these qualities.	The artwork does not sufficiently apply these concepts and the statement may not describe them sufficiently.
Sophistication of dynamic experience for the viewer. (25%)	The dynamic experience is highly engaging, expressive and coherent.	The dynamic experience is engaging, expressive, and coherent.	The dynamic experience is expressive and coherent but may not be fully engaging.	A dynamic experience that is expressive to some extent, but may not be fully coherent or engaging.	The work may not feature dynamic elements, or these may be too simplistic to create an engaging experience for the viewer.
Sophistication of design and construction of a p5.js program that is appropriate for the task. (25%)	Excellent to outstanding program design that is appropriate for the task and supports a highly engaging experience for the viewer.	Very good program design that is appropriate for the task and supports an engaging experience for the viewer.	Good design and construction. The program is functional and sufficiently sophisticated to support the task.	The program is functional and supports the task, but may not be entirely appropriate or sufficiently sophisticated.	The program does not adequately support the task, is not appropriate, or is not sufficiently sophisticated.

Assessment Task 2

Interactive Artwork

Assignment 2 involves creating an interactive artwork in p5.js (see course website for required design specifications).

The artwork needs to communicate a scene and include creative interactive features making it engaging, coherent, and rewarding to use.

The artwork will be submitted as a GitLab repository consisting of p5.js code, assets and resources, an artist's statement, and a statement of originality.

Late submission is not permitted.

Rubric

Criteria	HD	D	CR	P	N
Sophistication of articulation and application of concepts of computer-based art. (50%)	The artwork applies highly sophisticated concepts. The statement describes and critically engages in these qualities to an excellent or outstanding degree.	The artwork that applies sophisticated concepts. The statement that describes and discusses these qualities.	Some concepts have been applied but there may be gaps in sophistication. The statement describes these qualities.	The artwork that may only apply some concepts or apply them in a simplistic way. The statement describes these qualities.	The artwork does not sufficiently apply these concepts and the statement may not describe them sufficiently.
Sophistication of application of visual and physical interaction concepts that reflects on recent developments. (25%)	Excellent to outstanding interactions that are expressive, sophisticated, and enhance the viewer’s experience.	Very good application interactions that are expressive and enhance the viewer’s experience.	Interactions that are expressive but may not enhance the viewer’s experience.	Interactions that may be simplistic rather than expressive and do not enhance the viewer’s experience.	The work may not feature significant interactive features or features that do not engage the viewer or enhance their experience.
Sophistication of design and construction of a p5.js program that is appropriate for the task. (25%)	Excellent to outstanding program design that is appropriate for the task and supports a highly engaging experience for the viewer.	Very good program design that is appropriate for the task and supports an engaging experience for the viewer.	Good design and construction. The program is functional and sufficiently sophisticated to support the task.	The program is functional and supports the task, but may not be entirely appropriate or sufficiently sophisticated.	The program does not adequately support the task, is not appropriate, or is not sufficiently sophisticated.

Assessment Task 3

Multi-modal Interactive Artwork

Assignment 3 involves creating an interactive artwork with a flow of events in p5.js with multiple modes of input and output including sound (see course website for required design specifications).

The artwork needs to be engaging, coherent, and use interaction to enhance the viewer's experience.

The artwork will be submitted as a GitLab repository consisting of p5.js code, assets and resources, an artist's statement, and a statement of originality.

Late submission is not permitted.

Rubric

Criteria	HD	D	CR	P	N
Sophistication of articulation and application of concepts of computer-based art. (50%)	The artwork applies highly sophisticated concepts. The statement describes and critically engages in these qualities to an excellent or outstanding degree.	The artwork that applies sophisticated concepts. The statement that describes and discusses these qualities.	Some concepts have been applied but there may be gaps in sophistication. The statement describes these qualities.	The artwork that may only apply some concepts or apply them in a simplistic way. The statement describes these qualities.	The artwork does not sufficiently apply these concepts and the statement may not describe them sufficiently.
Sophistication of application of visual, sonic, and physical interaction concepts that reflects on recent developments. (25%)	Excellent to outstanding interactions that are expressive, sophisticated, and enhance the viewer’s experience.	Very good application interactions that are expressive and enhance the viewer’s experience.	Interactions that are expressive but may not enhance the viewer’s experience.	Interactions that may be simplistic rather than expressive and do not enhance the viewer’s experience.	The work may not feature significant interactive features or features that do not engage the viewer or enhance their experience.
Sophistication of design and construction of a p5.js program that is appropriate for the task. (25%)	Excellent to outstanding program design that is appropriate for the task and supports a highly engaging experience for the viewer.	Very good program design that is appropriate for the task and supports an engaging experience for the viewer.	Good design and construction. The program is functional and sufficiently sophisticated to support the task.	The program is functional and supports the task, but may not be entirely appropriate or sufficiently sophisticated.	The program does not adequately support the task, is not appropriate, or is not sufficiently sophisticated.

Assessment Task 4

Major Project

The Major Project involves creating a complete original interactive artwork in p5.js that explores a given theme (see course website for the required thematic specification). Your goal is to Your goal is to provide an engaging and coherent viewer experience of roughly three minutes, where interaction enhances the experience. The exact nature of that experience is up to you.

You must consider how your interactive artwork reflects recent developments in computer-based art.

The artwork will be submitted as a GitLab repository consisting of p5.js code, assets and resources, an artist's statement, an interaction statement, and a statement of originality.

Late submission is not permitted.

Rubric

Criteria	HD	D	CR	P	N
Sophistication of application of visual, sonic, and physical interaction concepts that reflects on recent developments. (25%)	Excellent to outstanding interactions that are expressive, sophisticated, and enhance the viewer’s experience.	Very good application interactions that are expressive and enhance the viewer’s experience.	Interactions that are expressive but may not enhance the viewer’s experience.	Interactions that may be simplistic rather than expressive and do not enhance the viewer’s experience.	The work may not feature significant interactive features or features that do not engage the viewer or enhance their experience.
Sophistication of design and construction of a p5.js program that is appropriate for the task. (25%)	Excellent to outstanding program design that is appropriate for the task and supports a highly engaging experience for the viewer.	Very good program design that is appropriate for the task and supports an engaging experience for the viewer.	Good design and construction. The program is functional and sufficiently sophisticated to support the task.	The program is functional and supports the task, but may not be entirely appropriate or sufficiently sophisticated.	The program does not adequately support the task, is not appropriate, or is not sufficiently sophisticated.
Sophistication in creating an engaging and coherent original interactive artwork that engages with the prompt. (50%)	An excellent to outstanding original interactive artwork that is highly engaging and coherent in its design. The artwork engages with the prompt in a rewarding and sophisticated way.	A very good original interactive artwork that is engaging and coherent in its design. The artwork engages with the prompt in a rewarding and sophisticated way.	A good interactive artwork with a design that is somewhat engaging and coherent. The artwork reflects the prompt but may not do so in a sophisticated way.	A satisfactory interactive artwork. The artwork may reflect the prompt but may not show sophisticated engagement.	An artwork that is not sufficiently engaging or coherent and may not reflect the prompt.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

All assessments in this course are submitted through ANU Teaching GitLab . See the course website for details and follow the assessment instructions carefully. Assessment submissions may be checked for similarity with MOSS or other tools.

Hardcopy Submission

Hardcopy submission is not applicable in this course.

Late Submission

Late submission is not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Marks and feedback on assessment items will appear on Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assessments is not available.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students