Additional information
by David Matthew (Author)
This book introduces you to the exciting world of generative art and creative coding through the medium of JavaScript and Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG). Using tried and trusted techniques, you'll tackle core topics such as randomness and regularity, noise and naturalistic variance, shape and path creation, filter effects, animation, and interactivity.
In the process you'll learn SvJs, a JavaScript library that closely mirrors the SVG spec and makes scripting SVG intuitive and enjoyable. You'll also study the craft of generative art and its creative process, along with JavaScript fundamentals, using modern ES6+ syntax. Each chapter will build upon the previous one, and those completely new to programming will be given a primer to help them find their feet.
Generative Art with JavaScript and SVG will take you on a fun journey, peppered with plenty of sketches throughout, designed not only to explain, but to inspire.
You Will:
- Structure and randomise compositions.
- Understand the different types of randomness and their probability distributions.
- Create organic variance with the SvJs Noise module. - Apply SVG filter effects in a generative fashion.
- Explore different approaches to animating with SVG.
- Make your compositions dynamic and interactive.
WHO IS IT FOR:
Web developers and designers and creative coders with an interest in digital and generative art as well as artists who are interested in learning to code with JavaScript.
Back Jacket
This book introduces you to the exciting world of generative art (artwork that are solely or partially created with the use of an autonomous system) through the medium of SVG and JavaScript. More specifically, it will teach the use of Graphery SVG (gySVG), a JavaScript library that closely mirrors the SVG spec and makes scripting SVG very intuitive and enjoyable. Armed with gySVG, the reader will be taught tried and trusted techniques in producing generative imagery. Each chapter will build upon the previous one, and those completely new to programming will be given a primer to help them find their feet.
Beginning with a simple generative sketch that illustrates, and then explains, fundamental programming concepts such as variables, data types, operators, loops, conditionals and functions - the reader will go on to explore the power of Scalable Vector Graphics, how to play with randomness and regularity, how to use noise to create organic variance, and how to make sketches interactive and dynamic. More advanced topics will then be tackled, such as paths, filter effects, trigonometry, shape packing, flow fields and fractals.
It will be a fun journey, easy to follow, peppered with plenty of attractive sketches throughout. The goal will be to visually inspire readers with compelling examples of what's possible - rather than bare-bones, make-do illustrations - thereby breathing life into the underlying theoretical concepts.
You Will Learn:
- What generative art is and its creative process
- How to use the gySVG library locally with Node.js or online via Codepen
- To consolidate JavaScript fundamentals, using modern ES6+ syntax
- Create a variety of SVG shapes generatively
- Create iterative variations of sketches by randomizing parameters
- How to use noise to create organic variance
- Create complex SVG paths generatively
- How to make sketches interactive
Author Biography
David Matthew is a web developer, designer and musician with over 11 years of industry experience who is passionate about generative art and web development, music visualization and in particular, SVG and the often untapped potential it offers.
David blogs on topics including JavaScript, CSS WordPress and creative coding and as a regular producer of generative art, he showcases his work on his Instagram page: instagram.com/davidmatthew_ie
