Unfamiliar Landscapes: Coded Illustrations
School: High Tech High
City/State: San Diego, CA
Grade(s): 12
Format(s): Visual arts
Subject(s): Science and Technology, Social Studies, Visual Arts
Project Overview
Twelfth grade students at High Tech High in San Diego, California created artwork using computer coding for an exhibition entitled “Unfamiliar Landscapes.”
The students chose subjects on which to focus their art which ranged from police brutality to noise pollution to post-traumatic stress. They used computer code—an unfamiliar landscape—as their framework for research inquiry and media art representation. For the first eight weeks of class students studied a programming language called Processing, considering design, color, content and context of their artwork. Using code they were able to change the width and appearance of a stroke, gradually learning more code to represent the subject matter.
The series of illustrations featured above show the first landscape sketches of the 12th grade class using a customizable dynamic brush tool.
How This Project Can Be Useful
- Excellent example of innovative techniques that exist for the artist through computer coded drawing
- Illustrates how new technologies can be used to illuminate difficult concepts
- Strong integration of technology combined with subject matter
- Demonstrates an outstanding level of sophistication for high school students
Relevant Resources
Common Core State Standards
| Standard | Long Term Learning Target |
|---|---|
| RST.11-12.7 |
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| RST.11-12.8 |
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| RST.11-12.9 |
|