PV259 Generative Design Programming

Faculty of Informatics
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/2/1. 3 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Marko Řeháček (lecturer)
doc. Mgr.art. Helena Lukášová, ArtD. (lecturer)
Bc. Martin Bertko (lecturer)
Bc. Marek Dohnal (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr.art. Helena Lukášová, ArtD.
Department of Visual Computing – Faculty of Informatics
Contact Person: doc. Mgr.art. Helena Lukášová, ArtD.
Supplier department: Department of Visual Computing – Faculty of Informatics
Timetable
Mon 15. 9. to Mon 8. 12. each even Monday 12:00–13:50 C119
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
PV259/01: Mon 15. 9. to Mon 15. 12. Mon 10:00–11:50 C119, M. Bertko, M. Dohnal, H. Lukášová, M. Řeháček
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of programming & data structures (as taught within introductory programming courses such as IB111 Foundations of Programming).
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 15/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 32 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Abstract
Join us to discover how art and programming come together to form an entirely new medium. In this course, you'll turn programming into a creative tool by mastering generative design techniques. You’ll sharpen your design thinking, push your creativity, and apply the generative design process across multiple domains. By the end of the course, you’ll have a collection of original artworks that are entirely your own.
Learning outcomes
Students passing this course will be able to:
  • create own interactive audio-visual works (static images, video, real-time visuals, interactive apps, art installations) using generative design process and p5.js
  • apply generative design in other fields (graphic and web design, games, digital art, data visualization, ...)
  • create visual prototypes in Figma for installation proposals
    • Look at generativedesign.cz.
    Key topics
    • Introduction to generative design and art, programming in p5.js, examples of works of international and local artists.
    • Basic geometry: how to use colors, color palettes and their interpolation, color models (RGB vs. HSL), transparency and blending, basic shapes, organizing shapes into rhythmic patterns, generating growing structures.
    • Interactivity: using mouse and keyboard input to alter the artwork.
    • Geometric transformations: how to position elements, coordinate systems, linear interpolation.
    • Randomness vs. order: let computer make decisions, use Perlin noise.
    • Use of generative techniques in graphic design.
    • Multi-agent systems: artificial life, forces, physics, digital brush, flowfields, emergent patterns.
    • Complex shapes, vectors, curves
    • Computer audition: spectral analysis using FFT, creating audio-reactive visuals
    • Typography: playing with text and font parameters, curves, font rasterization, font mutations.
    • Possible topics: AI in art, basics of image processing.
    • Final project: ideation, first concepts and drafts, implementation, and presentation. Using Figma for design proposals.
    Study resources and literature
      recommended literature
    • BOHNACKER, Hartmut; Benedikt GROSS and Julia LAUB. Generative design : visualize, program, and create with processing. Edited by Claudius Lazzeroni. 1st ed. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2012, 474 s. ISBN 9781616890773. info
    • PEARSON, Matt. Generative art : a practical guide using processing. Edited by Marius Watz. Shelter Island, NY: Manning ;, 2011, xli, 197. ISBN 9781935182627. info
    • REAS, Casey and Chandler MCWILLIAMS. Form+code in design, art, and architecture. 1st ed. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2010, 176 s. ISBN 9781568989372. info
    Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
    Lectures and seminars outlined in the schedule of the course are identical. The classes are interactive, set up in a way that mixes programming exercises with very brief lectures and own experimentation. Therefore attendance is required on the lectures. The classes consist of:
  • lectures about given topics from an artistic point of view
  • lectures about specific programming principles
  • creative programming exercises where the students apply their knowledge from the lectures
  • collaborative creative activities that support idea sharing and inspiration
  • presentations of own work
    • Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
    During semester, students complete 3–4 small exercises on assigned topics. To pass this part of the course, each exercise must be submitted on time, must not be a direct copy of examples shown in class, and must demonstrate the student’s own playful approach.
    For the final project, each student creates a standalone generative project (see generativedesign.cz). The work must be developed through regular consultations, with the student actively implementing feedback and refining their approach. The final project will be evaluated on: originality of the concept, creativity in the iterative process, overall presentation quality, and proper submission.
    Language of instruction
    English
    Follow-Up Courses
    Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
    Study Materials
    The course is taught annually.
    Teacher's information
    https://www.generativedesign.cz/
    Past student exhibitions
    The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
    • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fi/autumn2025/PV259