The basic structure of this course: We alternate between (i) showing and explaining cool and informative pre-baked examples the web site http://mrl.nyu.edu/~perlin, and (ii) interactively developing progressively more advanced applets (ie: fresh-cooked on the spot).

We start with simple 2D examples, to get the basics out of the way: user interaction, basic movement of objects, the design iteration loop.

Then we progress to more sophisticated 2D examples.

In the second half we switch to the use of a 3D substrate - my 3D software renderer and associated modeling package. We don't focus so much on the internal workings of the renderer and modeler, as that would be the subject of a complete different course. Rather, we focus on the use of such a package to create quick iterative designs for experimenting with ideas.

The take-away from the course is mainly learning a way to quickly put together procedural 2D and 3D design sketches of your ideas, which can then be run from Web browsers by you or by your friends and colleagues.

-Ken Perlin