What is Creative Coding?

Computer code is a set of directions we give a computer to carry out commands. When working on a website, a computer programmer tells the computer where to put a button and what that button should do when we click on it. What we code doesn’t only have to be functional; it can make us feel, think, and connect. We can make art with code.

We call this creative coding. Coding is a powerful tool for artistic expression because it is dynamic. If you want the colors on the screen to change when the user clicks a button or if you want an animated scene, code can help you bring those ideas to life.

With creative coding, artists can:

  • Draw pictures that move and react
  • Make art that changes when people interact with it
  • Use 3D printers to turn digital art into real objects
  • Build digital experiences that tell stories