Author: Fatima Alsuwaidi

Concept:

I got my inspiration from this tree while watching my sisters play.

I wanted to create a tree that showcased the four seasons. And when you would move the mouse around the tree you would get to see the different seasons in each corner. Then when pressed, it would be dark (night). And just for visuals sake have the leaves fall automatically.

 

Sketch:

I couldn’t figure out how to include all 4 seasons without rewriting most of what I already did, so I moved on. I ended up adding apples, and when you move the mouse around the leaves they appear on the tree as well. When the sketch is pressed the autumn version appears; where instead of apples falling they are now leaves. 

Falling circles effect

Highlight:

There isn’t a code I’m proud of, I’m mainly happy that I was able to take something that I envisioned and was able to create it since I was worried about that.

But I am pleased with how easily I was able to incorporate the loop function.

//   leaves
  for (let x=0; x<=width; x+=35){
    for (let y=0; y<=height; y+=50){
      fill('#4CAF50');
      strokeWeight(5);
      stroke('#54AF4C');
      circle(x,y/2,40);
    }
  }

Improvements:

I think it would be cool to incorporate all four seasons instead of two. Also if I could actually recreate the game that originally inspired me; and be able to somehow catch the apples.

Casey Reas explored the interplay between order and chaos in art. The artworks he showed in the start intrigued me, it was simple but didn’t look like art created by code. It felt organic, having movement even through it was still. It maintained a sense of human touch and spontaneity despite its underlying systematic principles; the mix of chaos and order. 

I liked his approach and perspective. towards the end he says the graphics are underwhelming/simple. But he thinks it encourages you to look closer (his goal). I like the last art pieces he showed where it’s interactive in how the art piece ends. As you have control to create as well. He claims that each of these are algorithmically uninteresting. Except the idea of being able to expose the system, which he finds engaging. I think this explains art perfectly: the relationship between surface simplicity and underlying complexity. That the value of art lies not in its immediate visual impact but its capacity to reveal the deeper truth and meaning of it. That also viewing art and understanding the process/meaning of it gives you two very different perspectives.

For this self portrait I was inspired by the art style of Toca Boca, a mobile video game I used to play a lot as a kid. So I attempted to create myself in that art style.

 Highlighted Code:
I am proud of this code because I originally was worried with how I would create the hijab, but I ended up simply creating a circle and making the “head” above it. Even though it’s just 2 circles on top of each other, I’m glad I found a simply solution.

//hijab
fill('#523F2D');
circle(width/2,height/2,270);

Reflection:

I’m happy with the final result, when starting I thought I wouldn’t be able to create what I envisioned. I did want to add some hair, and I tried with arc using HALF_PI but with the hijab it didn’t work so I scratched that idea. I think for future assignments I want to try to make my work interactive.