Winter Workshops

Recent advances in artificial intelligence research have unleashed a torrent of almost psychedelic imagery in both computer science and the arts. The workshop will introduce into the basics of deep learning using convolutional neural networks and will probe the creative potentials of the technology through hands-on experimentations. The aim is to discuss and reflect the consequences of these technologies for design and art in particular, as well as for our societies in general. What are the characteristics of this emerging ‘neural aesthetic’ and what would be meaningful roles for it within our visual cultures?
The participants will gain a foundational understanding of convolutional neural networks and will be enabled to conduct practical experiments with these. The course will give an introduction in running existing models using Runway ML and ArtBreeder. The gained knowledge will be used for audio-visual experimentation, allowing the participants to discuss the implications of artificial intelligence and deep learning based on an informed understanding. Existing knowledge in programming, videography, compositing and general design techniques (e.g. drawing or model making) is not required, but helpful.

Ludwig Zeller, 1981, is a lecturer and design researcher at the Visual Communication Institute. In his work he explores the connections between technology and society through a variety of design and scientific methods, blurring supposedly clear disciplinary boundaries. As a lecturer, he encourages his students to explore the poetic dimensions of our contemporary data culture through audio-visual translations between the physical and mediated. Ludwig Zeller is a graduate of the Royal College of Art London and the Academy of Media Arts Cologne. His work has been shown at V2_ Rotterdam, FILE Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro, MU Eindhoven, Arnolfini Bristol, technarte Bilbao and SIGCHI Boston, among others, and has been presented by the magazines FORM, PAGE, De:Bug, Fast.Co Design, wemakemoneynotart, Beyond the Beyond and the Creative Applications Network. www.ludwigzeller.net

Curious about code? Heard the term 'creative coding' and wondered what it meant or where to begin? Beyond innovations brought to the field of visual communication by the computer mouse and desktop publishing, programming enables designers to work in a generative way. From embracing time and chance as volatile inputs for modifying elements of a layout, to exploring ideas across every letter, word, paragraph and page of a book – one begins to design the parameters of design. In this workshop we’ll explore the possibilities of extending Adobe InDesign through programming, with basil.js. basil.js is an open source scripting library, released by The Basel School of Design in 2013, that pulls inspiration from Processing to make scripting within InDesign accessible to designers without coding experience. From generative typography to print-on-demand potential, you'll be lead into the wild world of creative coding within InDesign.

Ted Davis, 1983, is an American media artist / designer / educator based in Basel, Switzerland, where he teaches interaction design and coordinates the UIC/HGK International Master of Design program within the Visual Communication Institute, The Basel School of Design HGK FHNW. His work and teachings explore the volatility of digital media through glitch and reactivating older ‘new media’ through newer programming means. His open source projects (basil.js, XYscope, P5LIVE) enable designers to program within Adobe InDesign, render vector graphics on vector displays, and collaboratively create live coded visuals. With international exhibits, lectures and workshops, he empowers students to take hold of the computer’s ability to design possibilities beyond that of the hand or mouse. teddavis.org

The industry today offers a wide range of technical options from cameras, lenses and microphones to movement options with drones and gimbals. The boundaries between professional devices and recording options such as smart phones are becoming increasingly blurred.
Despite the democratization of technical means, design issues that lead to successful video documentation or narration are of central importance.
This is where this workshop comes in: Designers learn to deal with the variety of technical possibilities. You learn the technical basics and practice how a project is designed, implemented and implemented until publication. The experience for cadrage, logical image sequence (narration), rhythm and visual aesthetics is strengthened.
You can use the professional equipment of the Visual Communication Institute, or you can use your own tools. Even your smartphone, if used skillfully, can become a professional documentation tool. Our Mac infrastructure with the complete Adobe Creative Cloud software range is available to you for the final processing, from editing and setting to coding for publication.

Fabian Kempter, *1959. As the son of a photographer, he came into contact with making pictures early on. The training as a drawing teacher sparked his interest in moving images. Through further training in animation film workshops in Switzerland and at CalArts in California, he has specialized in video documentation and narration. Fabian Kempter teaches at the HGK FHNW in Basel and previously at the previous institution (SFG, Basel) in the field of moving images. In 1996, together with a business partner, he founded a studio for video and film productions, in which he continues to work on orders for customers.
Fabian Kempter began dealing with the moving image in the 1980s using the analogue means of production that were common at the time. He experienced the change to the current design tools of digital video step by step.

Within the last decades, computer games have established themselves as a new medium with increasing cultural influence. Interaction allows for a new approach to digital imagery. As a player, the viewer can not only react to what they see but also influence it through their behavior. This interaction opens up new types of visualizations where each part of the image can be influenced at runtime. With the help of game engines like Unity, impressive experiences can be created with relatively few lines of code. In the workshop "Game Design" we will use the Unity game engine to design a virtual world through which the player can walk and interact with objects. Participants will get an insight into creating a 3D project in Unity and learn how to use 3D models, shaders, lighting, and how to program simple interactions with the C# programming language.

Lena Frei graduated from the University of Basel in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Media Studies. During her BA, film, interactive media, and language philosophy were her main fields of interest. Before pursuing her MA in visual communication and iconic research, she worked as a concept developer and multimedia designer at a creative agency in Switzerland. Her love for playing and studying video games has been the starting point for many endeavors, academically, design-based, and otherwise. For her thesis project she designed a video game exploring the division between nature and culture. By looking into the phenomenon of "play" she found that video games offer a promising way of engaging with technology. Lena Frei believes that through play, we can cultivate a new way of looking at, depicting, and shaping the world and generate non-paranoid imaginations where ambiguity and diversity are at home.

The term moving graphics encompasses all animated graphics designed with the dimension of time, which are mostly shown on a display or as a projection. We find moving graphics as animated screen icons, web banners, animation to explain a fact or as animated posters in public space.
The Moving Graphics course teaches the technical and design possibilities of moving graphics. What does it mean when graphics are set in motion? What statements does this open up? The course participants develop a concept for their own moving poster and then implement it. Experiments should be gained by experimenting with the moving image in the design process. The Cinema 4D and After Effects programs are taught and used as tools.

Dirk Koy graduated in 2002 from the University of Art and Design Basel (HGK Basel) in the field of visual communication. From 2003 to 2005 he worked for the KMS team in Munich and was involved in the development of the cross-media corporate design for Porsche Design, which was awarded the “ADC Germany” and the “red dot communication award”. In 2007 he co-founded “Equipo“ an office for visual communication. Over the past few years, Dirk Koy's interest has focused on the area of ​​moving images. He designed animated title graphics and biographies for the SRF1 TV show ”Focus Blind Date”. The work received bronze at the Bassawards in 2016. He realized some animated music visualizations such as "Escape Route" for the music legend Boris Blank (Yello) or "The City" for the band "Five Years Older", which were shown at numerous festivals worldwide. In 2012 “The City” received the “Honorary Mention” award from the “Prix Ars Electronica” and in 2015 won the 1st prize of the Visual Music Award. Since 2011 Dirk Koy has worked as a lecturer for time-based media at the Visual Communication Institute at HGK FHNW in Basel. In 2016, he founded the studio for motion design and experimental film “Dirk Koy Bild und Bewegung”. His work has been shown at the Art Center Nabi in Seoul, at the House of Electronic Arts in Basel and at the Supernova Festival in Denver. In 2019 Dirk Koy received the Basel Media Art Prize for the 3D animation “ground“.

FHNW Academy of Art and Design
Institute of Visual Communication
Freilager-Platz 1
Postfach

CH-4002 Basel

FHNW Academy of Art and Design
Institute of Visual Communication

Freilager-Platz 1, Hochhaus: D 5.03
4142 Münchenstein b. Basel

T +41 61 228 41 11
F +41 61 228 42 89
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