# Books on art theory/esthetics for programmers

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874>\
**Category:** Project Guidance\
**Created:** [March 21, 2020, 12:24pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874 "2020-03-21T12:24:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 10\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e47c2d/32.png) [@nex](https://discourse.processing.org/u/nex)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 12:24pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874/1 "2020-03-21T12:24:21Z")

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While I have always created art in various forms, I come from an engineering background and I picked up creative coding only in the last couple of years. While I’m exploring and navigating Processing etc. quite alright, I am interested in learning more about art theory and esthetics that could help improve the works I produce with my creative coding.  
Would anyone here have any good book, videos, online courses recommendations?

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**Author:** ![Chrisir](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/chrisir/32/45_2.png) [@Chrisir](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Chrisir)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 1:05pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874/2 "2020-03-21T13:05:12Z")

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Two links

see [https://www.processing.org/books/](https://www.processing.org/books/)

see [Places online where documentation of amazing projects exist](https://discourse.processing.org/t/places-online-where-documentation-of-amazing-projects-exist/3601)

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**Author:** ![glv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/glv/32/18785_2.png) [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874/3 "2020-03-21T16:33:19Z")

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Hello,

These topics and their references may complement your search:

([https://processing.org/exhibition/](https://processing.org/exhibition/)) link.  
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural\_generation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_generation)  
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative\_art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_art)  
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative\_design](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_design)  
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory\_of\_art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_art)

Wikipedia has _See also_, _References_ and _Further Reading_ which I find useful in my searches… I can get lost in there at times.

And of course:  
[https://processing.org/](https://processing.org/) Numerous resources there. Be sure to check out the [Exhibition](https://processing.org/exhibition/) section.

And some interesting topics in [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks).  
Art takes on many forms. This one caught my interest and the talks that followed:

> **[Art made of storms](https://www.ted.com/talks/nathalie_miebach_art_made_of_storms?referrer=playlist-art_from_data#t-239628)**
>
> Artist Nathalie Miebach takes weather data from massive storms and turns it into complex sculptures that embody the forces of nature and time. These sculptures then become musical scores for a string quartet to play.

`:)`

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**Author:** ![debxyz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@debxyz](https://discourse.processing.org/u/debxyz)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 6:59pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874/4 "2020-03-21T18:59:10Z")

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As you know, there are so many rich areas to explore.

If you’re not already familiar, the Bauhaus school / movement. For immediate consumption, a general overview here:

> **[Bauhaus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus)**
>
> The Staatliches Bauhaus (German: \[ˈʃtaːtlɪçəs ˈbaʊˌhaʊs\] (listen)), commonly known as the Bauhaus, was a German art school operational from 1919 to 1933 that combined crafts and the fine arts. The school became famous for its approach to design, which strove to combine beauty with usefulness and attempted to unify the principles of mass production with individual artistic vision.
> The Bauhaus was founded by architect Walter Gropius in Weimar. The German term Bauhaus—literally "building house"—w...

  
In addition to learning about it’s basic philosophy, check out the works of the artists’ linked. This will keep you busy for a while. I wouldn’t say there is a definitive book, there are SO MANY to choose from… You can’t go wrong starting with what looks most inviting to you personally.

Also, because the culture is deeply infused with such a sophisticated aesthetic, I recommend looking at Japanese art, design, crafts. We, in the west, are probably most exposed to their kawaii-aesthetic. Do not be deterred. Their visual culture is broad and deep. From any and all eras up to the present. Specifically where to begin? I would recommend starting with a particular time period or medium that you have an affinity for. And then let the search unfold from there.  
[https://www.japansociety.org/page/multimedia/articles?lResourceFilterTopic=1322](https://www.japansociety.org/page/multimedia/articles?lResourceFilterTopic=1322)

There is a lot to choose from on **LinkedIn Learning (formerly [lynda.com](http://lynda.com))**. Professional artists and designers teaching basic to more advanced aesthetic (or theory) principles. Monthly subscription gives you unlimited access to all. Not to take away from other online platforms, but I believe [lynda.com](http://lynda.com) was the first, and IMHO offers the most cohesive and professionally produced courses.

Basically you are setting out to educate your eye. Look at copious amounts of art / design / photography / film. Take note of what you like. Visual themes will start to emerge. Increased knowledge of art theory will definitely help but also equally important is an increased awareness of what visual themes you are particularly drawn to. This will help you build a voice unique to you and in turn bring strength to your work.  
Hope this helps!  
🤓

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**Author:** ![nex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e47c2d/32.png) [@nex](https://discourse.processing.org/u/nex)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874/5 "2020-03-21T19:02:58Z")

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Thank you! This was extremely helpful!

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**Author:** ![nex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e47c2d/32.png) [@nex](https://discourse.processing.org/u/nex)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874/6 "2020-03-21T19:03:34Z")

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Thank you! I will check out the TED talk you recommended!

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**Author:** ![nex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e47c2d/32.png) [@nex](https://discourse.processing.org/u/nex)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874/8 "2020-03-21T19:07:36Z")

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Thank you for this comment. It was very helpful. I am familiar with Bauhaus, but I didn’t think about reviewing their work as part of this thought process.  
I am interested in learning more about Japanese art, especially the Japanese digital/new media art scene. Any recommendations on where to start for that?

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**Author:** ![debxyz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@debxyz](https://discourse.processing.org/u/debxyz)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 7:50pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874/9 "2020-03-21T19:50:34Z")

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You could start with Yayoi Kusama. She does installations, and some of it is digital. She’s prolific, and her life has been very interesting.

> **[Yayoi Kusama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayoi_Kusama)**
>
> Yayoi Kusama (草間 彌生, Kusama Yayoi, born 22 March 1929) is a Japanese contemporary artist who works primarily in sculpture and installation, but is also active in painting, performance, film, fashion, poetry, fiction, and other arts. Her work is based in conceptual art and shows some attributes of feminism, minimalism, surrealism, Art Brut, pop art, and abstract expressionism, and is infused with autobiographical, psychological, and sexual content. She has been acknowledged as one of the most im...

Also, Tatsuo Miyajima  
[http://tatsuomiyajima.com/category/work-projects/](http://tatsuomiyajima.com/category/work-projects/)

I like the street photography of American photographer, living in Japan, John Sypal  
[http://www.johnsypal.com/view/195](http://www.johnsypal.com/view/195)

And Japanese photographer, Hiroshi Sugimoto, is sublime.  
[https://www.sugimotohiroshi.com](https://www.sugimotohiroshi.com)

Plus, take a look at this Library of Congress resource of Japanese woodblock prints—particularly the landscapes. Though not specific to digital / new media scene, it’s instructive for how the artists have used space in dynamic ways—positive vs negative, big vs small, selective color placement, etc.  
[http://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?st=grid&co=jpd](http://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/?st=grid&co=jpd)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![debxyz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@debxyz](https://discourse.processing.org/u/debxyz)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 8:59pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874/10 "2020-03-21T20:59:30Z")

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This TED talk you posted is great!!  
🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/glv/32/18785_2.png) [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 12:26pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/books-on-art-theory-esthetics-for-programmers/18874/11 "2020-03-22T12:26:19Z")

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> [@debxyz](#):
>
> This TED talk you posted is great!!

Some great talks there. I started with the one I posted and watched a whole stream of others that followed…  
I had a few days at work last year exploring data visualization; I will never see data the same!

> [@debxyz](#):
>
> There is a lot to choose from on **LinkedIn Learning**

Fantastic resource! Fortunately, I have access to this through work.

`:)`