Winter Retreat: Decoding the Screen

Over 3 days, participants will explore using free software to create digitally rendered shapes, forms and images that will be translated into unique screen prints. There will be a focus on both using the coding package and also then printing layered, multiple coloured patterns using screens. Each step will be fully explained and supported and prior information is not necessary for doing this course.

You will learn some basics of creative coding to generate variable abstract shapes and patterns, which you will then use as a basis for screenprinting your designs. We will also consider how some of the principles behind creative coding might also inform the way in which you physically print your artwork.

This is a highly experimental course, suitable for anyone from complete beginners both in creative coding and screenprinting to those that are more experienced screenprinters but are curious about how the two might be used together.

We shall be using the open-source coding tool p5.js to generate your ideas.

Course Structure

Day One
• Introduction to Oswin’s practice of using code for print design.
• Understanding the basics of how creative coding works.
• Learning to code basic in p5js and applying variables
• Discussing how we are linking code and the screen-printing process.
• Continue writing additional code and customising to give unique outcomes
• Generating and exporting patterns/shapes/designs
• Selecting images to be screen-printed next session.

Day Two
• Preparing your workspace
• Brief intro to printing for those that need it
• Consider how some of the principles behind coding might inform the way you print your designs to create unique screen prints.
• Printing proofs and working with layers

Day Three
• Continue to experiment with the way you print and layer your images alongside colour field work
• Reflection, feedback and sharing the groups work

About the Tutor

Oswin Tickler is a London based designer and educator teaching across graphic design, publishing and illustration. Oswin’s work explores experimental processes across analogue and digital media, which has included creating new ways of producing variable digital print using creative code.