Creative Computing

This module serves as an introduction to computer science from a creative perspective. You will develop an understanding of fundamental programming principles, through rapid prototyping and practical examples. Workshops will explore collaborative approaches to creative problem solving, simulating agile workflows present in industry. Through this approach, you will gain insight into the breadth of applications and disciplines where creative computing is embedded, whilst learning about core computer science concepts and coding.

This module will guide you through the practical and conceptual aspects of web design and front-end development. Moving one step at the time, you will learn how to develop ideas from initial sketches to functional, fully testable web prototypes, exploring the expressive potential of this medium. Through a series of projects and exercises, you will pick up the basics of web design and prototyping and the core development techniques using HTML, CSS and Javascript.

This module encourages you to develop an understanding of playfulness and creative risk taking in the context of creative technological practice. It will introduce playful approaches to ideation, allowing experimentation to evolve within the realms of your subject area. This module aims to show links between risk-taking and innovation and present case studies outlining the value of 'failure' in optimising success. Additionally, the module aims to foster independence, allowing you to explore your own questions and interests through risk-taking, experimentation, collaboration and independent research.

This module introduces core technical skills and concepts in physical computing, electronics engineering and programming. From a conceptual perspective, you will develop an understanding of the Internet of Things and the interconnection and awareness of objects within our environment. Through playful prototyping, you will learn about the potential applications of these technologies and inspire your own ideas for developing interactive prototypes.

This module serves as an introduction to programming for responsive web development, with a focus on JavaScript (JS) and the nuances of webapp programming. You will be introduced to native JS syntax alongside key concepts such as the Document Object Model (DOM), function callbacks, frameworks and JS dot notation. You will create a basic website with dynamic and responsive interactions using JS and relevant frameworks, demonstrating foundational skills in coding for the web. 

This module will introduce you to the history of creative and artistic use of computing, as well as the contemporary context of industry and artistic practice. It will engage you in some of the major critical questions that have surrounded the applications of new technologies in artistic/social endeavors, such as outsourcing work to automata, eliding or enhancing human creativity, or interrogating the human-machine boundary. The module aims to allow you to explore your own questions and interests, while situating yourself in a broader artistic and cultural context.

Digital tech creatives rarely work alone. This module puts you into teams across programs to develop a collaborative digital arts project and put this on display in a student-organized exhibition at the University. You will learn about key event management concepts and skills and mobilize these in practice through the student-run exhibition. This module will enable you to create a wide diversity of items for inclusion in your portfolio.

You will engage with the history, philosophy, and technical elements of conceptualizations of machine intelligence, from the earliest automated “autonomous” machine acts of intelligence to contemporary AI algorithms. You will encounter a wealth of historical and contemporary case studies of programs and applications in industry and creative practice, and you will interrogate these as well as build your own machine intelligence programs. Key questions of interrogation might include a theory of mind (for humans and machines), the notion of the cyborg, technofuturism, responsibility for machine decisions, surveillance, creativity/plagiarism, and stereotyping.

This module will guide you through the fundamental mathematical principles required for computational thinking and computer programming for interactive, creative experiences. Through a practical approach and an emphasis on application, you will explore core areas of computational math. You will develop an understanding of how applied mathematics can be used to solve complex real-world interactive problems and will be able to apply mathematical concepts comfortably to accomplish intended computational outcomes.

In this module you will learn about human-computer interaction. You will explore how machines process, generate and exchange data with users and the environment. You will learn about interaction design, usability and user-experience, understanding how to apply human-centred design principles for creating meaningful and well-defined interactions. From a technical perspective, the module considers how the physical world can interact with the network through sensors, GPS tracking, gesture, biometrics and haptics. Through a project focused approach, this module gives you the opportunity to develop your own interactive system utilising emergent IoT technologies.

This module is a general introduction to how data, server-side scripts and the front-end of websites interact to create a dynamic and responsive web. You will gain experience with fundamental server technologies and architecture for handling data storage and retrieval, and how to use this data on the client-side. This module will allow you to develop a practical project which will help you build the competence to design and build efficient full-stack integration for your applications.

This module serves as an introduction to immersive technologies for web XR. You will explore emerging technologies for web-based immersive applications and be introduced to the technical underpinnings of XR technology applications. This is a project-based module where you will develop your coding, design and creative thinking skills by designing and producing your own XR application.

This module is a capstone to the course through a high-level collaborative project undertaken in response to an industry brief. It constitutes a large-scale final project where you can develop team projects with lecturer guidance. Where applicable, the module sets up the connections between your team and potential briefs, but otherwise you are expected to develop and execute this project autonomously, with guidance and assistance.

This module will introduce you to the fundamental ethical questions that surround computing industry, governance, and artistic practice. It will engage questions such as automation’s impact on human autonomy, responsibility for machine-made decisions, predictions about human behavior, data-based stereotyping of humans, the relationship of design and equity, and replacing humans with computers in intimate relationships. The module aims to foster your responsible computational practice and allows you to explore and develop your own questions and interests.

In this module you will have a further chance to expand your portfolio through the creation of your own independent web project. You will use the skills developed throughout previous web development modules to guide your creativity and produce a web/mobile application that you feel represents your skillset and vision to potential employers.

In this module you will get to apply all the creativity and specialist skills you have been developing throughout the course. By looking at current and historical trends in generative and digital art, as well as exploring relevant techniques and technologies, you will create a piece of interactive or generative art that exemplifies you as a creative digital practitioner.

Tech creatives rarely exist without an artistic or industry network. This module asks you to liaise with arts and industry in the surrounding area to organize an exhibition of your work in a venue (or venues) external to the University. You will work in teams, when possible, across programs, to develop artwork for this exhibition as well as handle the planning and organisation of the exhibition. The module reinforces event/project management, collaboration, management, and production pipeline knowledge in a real-world exhibition environment. Artworks should respond to briefs from the venue(s) or be decided upon collectively by you and other teams.