Introduction to Visual Programming with TouchDesigner

In this 2-day workshop – held in English - media artist Stefan Kraus will introduce participants to the powerful visual development platform and present best practices for its use it in media installations, video projections and live performances.

The course will introduce artists, performers and designers to the mutilmedia authoring environment TouchDesigner. TD is a node based visual programming language, that was specifically designed to enable artists to create interactive programs without having to write a single line of code. This allows users to experiment with cutting edge technology, prototype interaction and explore the possibilities of digital creation.

The course combines a general introduction to node based programming with hands-on exercises, aiming at creative processes related to experience design.

In this workshop you will understand:

1. How to get started with Touchdesigner
2. How to create interactive and audioreactive 3D animations
3. How to turn data into visualisations
4. How to synchronise video/audio on multiple screens / projectors
5. How to control lights and LEDs through Artnet and DMX
6. How to perform your AV creations through MIDI and OSC
7. How to create custom interfaces

Skill Level : Beginners
This class embraces participants of all genders, sexes and orientations who have no prior experience with (visual) programming, but want to learn more about it. We think creative coding should be fun for everyone!

Requirements : Laptop with a 3-button mouse
The latest release of TouchDesigner099 installed
Participants are welcome to bring their own MIDI devices

Instructor : Dipl.-Ing. Stefan Kraus / MXZEHN
The work of Berlin-based VJ artist and director explores the fusion of media, space and performance. Emerging out of East Germany’s vivid electronic music scene, his work soon moved beyond the experimental club environment and into the world of art exhibitions, media festivals and theater performances across Europe. Parallel to his artistic career Stefan has been teaching interaction design at the Bauhaus-University in Weimar where he co-founded the Genius Loci Weimar festival, an annual competition for architectural projection mapping. Today Stefan is more than ever driven by the idea of the “Gesamtkunstwerk” – an artistic vision that completely immerses the audience.
http://www.mxzehn.de