Getting into Generative Art via Processing

Lately, I started getting into Generative art. The idea that I can use code to generate artwork appeals to me. I’ve only got into working in Processing, a language for generative art (Java-based), for about two weeks now and already I can see its possibilities.

At first, I just tried to get the basics down. The documentation and tutorials on the Processing got me started, as well as watching a bunch of videos off of The Coding Train and reading Generative Art: A Practical Guide Using Processing to get my head around what Processing was able to do. It’s Java-based, but there are forks of it in Python and Javascript.

With a loop and varied-sized rectangles, I pumped this out. Not too interesting yet but it’s a start. Then I tried the same thing but trying dimension with ellipses.

It’s a mess, but it’s my mess.

Then I started to play with spirals and transformations.

The other night I couldn’t sleep and started working on this one with lines and mountain-like peaks.

Processing makes it pretty easy to “sketch” ideas, building off one idea to another. It reminds me a bit of Design I at CVA where we’d use layout bond to duplicate and tweak iconography. I can create a basic framework for a sketch and then run it several times to get varying results. Small changes to variables can result in completely new visuals.

I saw this posted to the Generative Discord server and thought it was pretty interesting and gave it a go.

Version 1, I created a grid and made rules of how the grid shapes are filled in.

Version 2, adding texture, varying the size of the grid.

Then Loki aired yesterday I gave the carpet at the TVA a try. This uses a similar grid system to the two above, just with arcs in alternating patterns.

That’s it for now. I’ve been working on a few of these sketches a day so more on the way.