This course will introduce coding in the context of New Media. Topics covered may include the nature of New Media applications, New Media data formats and data manipulation, program organisation, control structures, writing and debugging New Media programs.

In terms of the modern art world, the computer is not just another medium, it is a whole other range of media. Students will experience and experiment with a large suite of programming components which have been used to construct interactive works of New Media art. They will learn how to conceptualise, brainstorm, plan and realise an original and creative New Media work of their own and to embed that work in a web page.

In modern times, the boundary between data visualisation and artistic practice is porus. That is, the techniques used by computer professionals to visualise and present data are heavily influenced by techniques invented by artists and vice versa. Students will gain an appreciation of the techniques and impact of good visual design.

After successful completion of COMP1720, students should be able to:

1. Design, construct and debug small to medium-sized computer programs in a high-level programming language for New Media art.
2. Have an appreciation of the artistic process in computer-based New Media.
3. Be able to conceptualise, plan and execute an original and creative work of New Media art.
4. To have an appreciation of visual and physical interaction at a New Media interface.

Assignments (80%); Final Exam (20%)

Thirty one-hour lectures and ten two-hour laboratory sessions

Incompatability: COMP2720

Reas, Casey, and Ben Fry. 2007. Processing: a programming handbook for visual designers and artists
Cambridge USA: MIT Press. ISBN 9780262182621