INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTATION

IDISC-1571 | WS 2017 | Computation, Technology, and Culture Concentration

Rhode Island School of Design | 2 College Street Providence, RI 02903

Faculty: Mark Cetilia | Critic, Digital + Media | mcetil01@risd.edu

Credits: 3.00

Meetings: Thurs / Fri, 1–6pm, Wed 1/11 + 1/25, 1–6pm

Location: 187 Benefit St. Room 100 / Waterman Building Room 33

Office hours: TBA, by appointment

Course links: https://sites.google.com/risd.edu/intro-to-computation-ws2017/

The site serves as a portfolio of ongoing and final student work.

It also contains assignment handouts and relevant notes, links, and resources.

Google Group: intro-computation-ws2017@risd.edu

Please use this list to share information and ask questions of the group.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Computation focuses on computational techniques, methods, and ideas in the context of art and design. Studio projects first center on the design of algorithms then shift to involve computer programming and scripting. Critical attention is given to code as a body of crafted text with significant aesthetic, philosophical, and social dimensions, as well as the tension, conflict, and potential possible when computation generates, informs, or interacts with drawings, materials, forms, and spaces. Historical and contemporary works of computational art and design will be presented and assigned for analysis. This course is open to students of all majors and is designed for those with little or no experience in programming. In order to conduct work in this course, students will need a laptop computer.

This course fulfills one of two core studio requirements for CTC Concentration.

COURSE GOALS

Introduction to Computation seeks to advance students’

• Understanding of the fundamental ideas and techniques of writing in computer programming languages toward their utilization in a range of art and design fields. This includes the ability to read and write processes, with an understanding of the interplay between cultural practices and technological-meditation; and the ability to abstractly construct and understand algorithms independent from use within a programming language.
• Preparedness to become Computation, Technology, and Culture concentrators; and for a range of practices where computer language competence is an important factor.
• Capacity for meaningful collaborations and communication in technology-oriented work that often spans disciplines.
• Analytical skills in the survey of historical and contemporary works, artifacts, and schools of thought, including the ability to engage in the critical discourse of computational media, technology studies, and software studies.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

In completing Introduction to Computation, students will be able to:

• Write source code for making their own works of art and design.
• Discuss significant historical developments in computational technology and its intersections with the arts.
• Demonstrate ability in critical discourse surrounding computation, technology, and culture through dialogue and artistic production.

COURSE ORGANIZATION

This is a studio course. Weekly class sessions are five hours. The course is organized around a series of projects. Assignments will be coupled with readings and precedent analysis. Class time will be spent on a combination of collaborative working, critique, lecture and discussion.

Assignments will be submitted via Google Drive.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Each student is responsible for attending class, completing in- and out-of-class assignments, contributing to course websites, and participating in critiques and discussion of readings and example materials. It is essential that students arrive to class promptly on time. This is a fast paced studio with little opportunity for redundancy. Absences, excused or otherwise, will set a student back and will be difficult to make up.

GRADING

Process and product will both be evaluated together. Iteration and other strategies for asserting methodological rigor will be essential for student success. Students will be evaluated for their participation (through their work and their verbal engagement) in every studio session. Students are expected to respond to prompts provided in each assignment brief as well as those offered through in class discussion and critique.

Final grades are based on your attendance and participation, engagement with course material, contributions to discussions and critique, assignment completion, and a final project.

Please note that in order to receive credit toward completion of the CTC Concentration you must earn a B- or above.

Grading scale

A      4.00     Excellent 

A-     3.70     Excellent 

B+     3.30     Good, above average 

B      3.00     Good, above average 

B-     2.70     Good, above average 

C+     2.30     Satisfactory, all requirements successfully met 

C      2.00     Satisfactory, all requirements successfully met 

C-     1.70     Satisfactory, all requirements successfully met 

D+     1.30     Below average, requirements minimally met 

D      1.00     Below average, requirements minimally met 

F      0.00     Not sufficient, requirements not met 

I      0.00     Incomplete 

Grade calculation

Attendance & participation:     20% 

Assignment #1:                  10%

Assignment #2:                  10% 

Assignment #3:                  15% 

Assignment #4:                  15% 

Final project:                  25% 

COURSE POLICIES & EXPECTATIONS

Grounds for permanent dismissal from class.

• 2 or more unexcused absences any time during semester
• Repeat tardiness
• Failure to honor academic policies or codes of conduct

Attendance.

• Attendance is mandatory.
• Prompt (on-time) arrival to class is expected.
• The only recognized excuses for absences or tardiness are in the case of serious illness, religious observance, or family emergency. In an event where excused absences become excessive (such as due to ongoing illness), you may be required to withdraw from the course. If you must miss a class, notify faculty as soon as possible.
• Arriving to class late (tardiness) is not acceptable.
• Should you miss class for any reason, you are responsible for gathering missed material and getting back on track with the class.

Academic policies & codes of conduct.

Participation and projects must abide by the following:

• RISD Academic Code of Conduct http://www.risd.edu/Policies/Academic/
• RISD Policies and Code of Student Conduct http://www.risd.edu/Students/Policies/
• Policies as detailed in the RISD course announcement: http://departments.risd.edu/registrar/web/index.html
• An Installation Site Permit is required for any projects that require the use of non-classroom space or that could potentially pose a safety risk. A form is available here with further details: http://info.risd.edu/environmental-health-safety/
• Projects may not pose hazards that threaten or cause physical harm to yourself or others.
• Projects may not cause damage to studio, shop, and lab equipment or school facilities.
• We will expect and maintain behavior in class that establishes and preserves an atmosphere appropriate for teaching and learning.
• Disability support. Disability Support Services (DSS) assists RISD students who have either cognitive (learning) or physical disabilities. If you believe that you have a physical or cognitive disability that may impact your academic standing and requires an accommodation, please see this link for more information: http://www.risd.edu/Students/Wellness/Disability_Support/

READINGS, MATERIALS, RESOURCES

• Required equipment: In order to conduct work in this course, students will need a laptop computer running a recent Mac or Windows OS. Students should bring their laptop to class every session.
• Programming languages and required software: This course will use a mix of text-based and visual/dataflow programming environments. Students are not required to purchase software for the course. Wherever possible free and open source programming environments are used. When this is not the case, software is available on RISD lab computers.
• Estimated material costs: There is no course fee for this course. However an estimate of the cost for materials is $250. Expect to apply this amount toward printing and individual project needs.
• Additional materials will be distributed during class meetings, made available electronically, or placed on reserve in the RISD Library.

SUMMARIZED SCHEDULE

Updates and further details will be posted on course website and announced in class.

Week 1: Experimental and Algorithmic Thinking

Thursday, Jan. 5

Syllabus overview

Class introductions

Discussion of instruction-based art and text scores

Group performance / execution of selected instructions / scores

Short written response to group performance / execution

Assignment #1: The Human Computer overview and discussion; work session (time permitting)

Homework: complete Assignment #1

Friday, Jan. 6

Assignment #1 execution and critiques

Introduction to Nodebox 3, Cameo 3 Silhouette

Assignment #2: Cutting Line introduction and discussion; work session

Homework: complete Assignment #2

Week 2: Data Transmutation

Wednesday, Jan. 11:

Assignment #2 critiques

Introduction to Processing

Thursday, Jan. 12:

Importing data, creating PDFs with Processing

Assignment #3: Lost in Translation introduction and discussion; work session

Friday, Jan. 13:

Introduction to laser cutter

Assignment #3 work session

Homework: complete Assignment #3

Week 3: Additivism

Thursday, Jan. 19:

Assignment #3 critiques

Introduction to 3D scanning and programmatic methods for creating / manipulating 3D models; work session

Homework: prepare presentation on chapter from The Additivist Cookbook

Friday, Jan. 20:

Presentations on chapters from The Additivist Cookbook

Introduction to 3D printing; work session

Assignment #4: Material Evidence introduction and discussion; work session

Homework: Assignment #4

Week 4: Intermedia

Wednesday, Jan. 25:

Assignment #4 critiques

Introduction to Max

Homework: read Dick Higgins’ Intermedia

Thursday, Jan. 26:

Discussion of Higgins’ Intermedia

Introduction to sound and video in Max (MSP / Jitter)

Final Project: Intermedial Investigations introduction and discussion; work session

Homework: Final Project proposal

Friday, Jan. 27:

Introduction to 3D graphics in Max (jit.gl)

Final Project proposal presentations

Final Project work session

Week 5: Final Projects

Thursday, Feb. 2:

Final Project progress reports

Final Project work session

Friday, Feb. 3:

Final Critiques

Tuesday, Feb. 7:

Final Project documentation due