INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTATION

Computation, Technology, and Culture: CTC-1000-01 | Winter 2018

Experimental / Foundation Studies | Rhode Island School of Design


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

Credits: 3.00

Meetings: Thurs / Fri, 1–6pm, Wed 1/10 + 1/24, 1–6pm

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

Shop Hours: Mon - Fri, 11am–6pm

Office hours: TBA, by appointment

Course links: https://sites.google.com/risd.edu/intro-to-computation-ws2018/

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-ws2018@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:                  20% 
Assignment #3:                  20% 
Final project:                  30%

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/student-life/wellness/


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, or demo software is available for download.
  • 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.


CLASS SCHEDULE

Provisional, summarized schedule. Updates and further details will be posted on course website and announced in class.


Week 1: Experimental and Algorithmic Thinking

Thursday, Jan. 4

Class cancelled due to weather


Friday, Jan. 5

  • Syllabus overview
  • Class introductions
  • Discussion of instruction-based art and text scores
  • Group performance / execution of selected instructions / scores
  • Assignment #1: The Human Computer overview and discussion
  • Homework: complete Assignment #1


Week 2: Chopping and Slicing

Wednesday, Jan. 10

  • Assignment #1 critiques
  • Introduction to Processing


Thursday, Jan. 11

  • Cameo 3 Silhouette training
  • Working with data in Processing
  • Assignment #2: Cutting Line introduction and discussion


Friday, Jan. 12

  • Laser cutter training
  • Using external libraries in Processing
  • Assignment #2 work session
  • Homework: complete Assignment #2


Week 3: Additivism

Thursday, Jan. 18

  • 3D printer / scanner training
  • Assignment #2 critiques
  • Introduction to OpenSCAD
  • Assignment #3: Material Evidence introduction and discussion; work session
  • Homework: prepare presentation on chapter from The Additivist Cookbook


Friday, Jan. 19

  • Presentations on chapters from The Additivist Cookbook
  • Assignment #3 work session
  • Homework: complete Assignment #3


Week 4: A Time and a Place

Wednesday, Jan. 24

  • Assignment #3 critiques
  • Introduction to Max
  • Homework: read Yi-Fu Tuan’s Time in Experiential Space


Thursday, Jan. 25

  • Discussion of Yi-Fu Tuan’s Time in Experiential Space
  • Introduction to sound and video in Max (MSP / Jitter)


Friday, Jan. 26

  • Basics of 3D graphics in Max (jit.gl)
  • Final Project: Space-Time Continuum introduction and discussion; work session


Week 5: Final Projects

Thursday, Feb. 1

  • Introduction to TouchDesigner
  • Inter-application communication using the Open Sound Control protocol
  • Final Project progress reports
  • Final Project work session


Friday, Feb. 2

  • Final Critiques


Tuesday, Feb. 6

  • Final Project documentation due