Music, Theatre and Writing + Programming
Create generative art with code
Write programs that draw a different artwork every time they run and curate a series of ten.
- DifficultyIntermediate
- Estimated time1–2 weeks
- Budget₹0
- ClassClass 9 to college
- TeamSolo
- You needComputer only
Prerequisites: Basic programming helps but is not required
Original · by TechnifyedArt ProjectSoftware ProjectFree to doComputer onlyWell documentedTwo subjects
Overview
Generative art uses rules and controlled randomness. A few lines of code that place shapes by a rule can produce endless variations; the art is in designing the rule and choosing the outputs.
Why build this?
It is the "Art + Technology" project in its purest form and suits both a design and a coding portfolio.
What you will learn
- How to draw with code
- How randomness and noise shape an image
- How to design a system rather than a single picture
- How to curate from many outputs
Skills you will use
Materials and tools
- Computer
- p5.js in a browser (free)
Tools and software
Step-by-step roadmap
Start
You will finish with: a series of ten prints, the code and a statement of the rules.
- 1
Prerequisites
Know this first: basic programming helps but is not required. Then collect the 2 items in the materials list.
- 2
Learn
- How to draw with code
- How randomness and noise shape an image
- How to design a system rather than a single picture
- How to curate from many outputs
- 3
Plan
Write the brief in three lines: subject, audience and the feeling you want. Collect references and make a shot list, storyboard or sketch set.
- 4
Build
- Draw a grid of shapes with a loop.
- Vary size, colour and rotation with random values.
- Replace randomness with smooth noise and compare.
- Design three different rule systems.
- Generate 100 outputs from the best system and select ten.
- Write what the rule is and why you chose those ten.
- 5
Test
Change the random seed: the style should stay recognisable while the image changes.
- 6
Document
Keep the sketches, drafts and rejected versions; they show your process. Report structure
- 7
Present
Show the finished work first, then the process and the choices you made. Presentation structure · Viva questions
- 8
Publish
Put it online as a portfolio piece with a short write-up of the brief and process.
Expected outcome
A series of ten prints, the code and a statement of the rules.
Other versions of this project
Beginner version
Modify an existing sketch and explain what each change did.
Advanced version
Make it interactive or drive it with sound or data.
Two-subject version
Use real data, such as a year of weather, to drive the shapes.
Portfolio version
Publish the sketches online so visitors can generate their own.
Make this project better
- BasicModify an existing sketch and explain what each change did.
- This projectCreate generative art with code
- AdvancedMake it interactive or drive it with sound or data.
- PortfolioPublish the sketches online so visitors can generate their own.
Portfolio mode
Text marked "You write this" is a prompt for your own work; everything else is specific to this project.
Use this as the outline of your README or case study.
- Problem
- Generative art uses rules and controlled randomness.
- Why it matters
- It is the "Art + Technology" project in its purest form and suits both a design and a coding portfolio.
- What was built
- A series of ten prints, the code and a statement of the rules.
- Technology
- p5.js, Processing
- Architecture
- You write thisOne diagram: the parts and how data moves between them.
- Implementation
- You write thisThe 6 build steps in your own words, with one code or design decision you are proud of.
- Challenges
- You write thisThe hardest bug or decision, and how you got past it.
- Results
- Change the random seed: the style should stay recognisable while the image changes.
- Demo and code
- You write thisA link to a live demo or a short video, and to the GitHub repository.
- Lessons learned
- You write thisWhat you would do differently next time.
- Future improvements
- Make it interactive or drive it with sound or data.
Report and presentation
Report structure
- Title and brief
- Research and references
- Concept
- Process: sketches, drafts, experiments
- Final work
- Tools and techniques
- Reflection: what worked and what did not
- Credits and sources
Presentation structure
- The brief
- References and mood
- Concept
- Process
- Final work
- Details
- Reflection
Viva questions
Try answering before you open each one.
What is the role of randomness?
It gives variety within the limits the rules set.
Who is the artist, you or the computer?
You design the system and choose the results.
What is Perlin noise?
A way of producing smooth, natural-looking random variation.
Why curate?
Most outputs are ordinary; selecting is part of the work.
Resources
Source and attribution
Original
Written by Technifyed. Free to use for your own school or college project; write the report in your own words. Added 1 Oct 2026.
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