TouchDesigner for Professional Interactive Design Careers hero

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TouchDesigner for Professional Interactive Design Careers

Level

Advanced

Duration

26h 42m of video content

Format

Self-paced video

Watch a preview

01-Dataflow-Binding-Reference-Export

Course overview

TouchDesigner for Professional Interactive Design Careers is a vocational course built around the workflows working studios actually ship. Across ten classes of self-paced video lessons, you'll move from modular system architecture and component design through to real-time data integration, live A/V pipelines, projection mapping, motion-tracking systems, and immersive room installations.

The curriculum is project-led: every class is a working build you can apply to client work or your own portfolio. Topics include scaling reusable components, connecting TouchDesigner to Ableton Live and DMX-driven lighting, designing VJ mixers with preset systems, mapping stages for live performance, computer-vision input with MediaPipe, and writing Python state machines inside the application.

Taught by Kyle Duffield, a Toronto-based interactive experience designer with a decade of installation and brand-activation work and a Cycling '74 Max certification. Aimed at designers, developers, and visual artists who already know their way around TouchDesigner and want to push their craft to a professional production standard.

Learning outcomes

Architect modular, reusable TouchDesigner components that scale to large, maintainable systems

Integrate real-time MIDI, audio, and OSC data into responsive visual systems

Drive lighting and A/V performance via DMX and Ableton Live in production-grade pipelines

Design and document a professional-grade VJ mixer with preset and cue management

Project-map a stage and implement scene-switching workflows for live performance

Build motion-tracking and computer-vision input systems using MediaPipe and depth cameras

Use Python state machines inside TouchDesigner to manage complex application logic

Architect immersive room installations with audio-reactive, multi-surface visuals

Prepare client- or employer-ready deliverables: UI mockups, functional demos, and technical documentation

Course content

Class 1: Foundations of Modular System Design

7 videos, 1 resource, 1 lesson

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  • Learning outcomes
    • Strategies for maintainable and scalable systems
    • Using replicators, containers, and parameter bindings
    • Exercise: Create and test a dynamic modular setup


  • Example TouchDesigner Files
  • 01-Dataflow-Binding-Reference-Export
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  • 02-Using-Base-COMP
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  • 03-Using-Container-COMP
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  • 04-COMP-Parameter-Binding
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  • 05-Creating-Custom-Components
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  • 06-Using-Toxs-For-Sharing-Modules
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  • Live session recording
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Class 2: Strategies for Scalability in Interactive Design

4 videos, 1 resource, 1 lesson

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  • 01-Video-Mixer-Backend
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  • 02-Blending-Between-Components
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  • 03-Dynamic-Containers-Replicators
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  • Example TouchDesigner Files
  • Assignment: Build a modular component for use in our Mixer
  • Session #2 Recording
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Class 3: Working with Real-Time Data Inputs (MIDI and Audio)

7 videos, 3 resources, 2 lessons

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  • Download links for loopMIDI, OSC Pilot and CommsKit

    Please download the following tools:
    loopMIDI (WINDOWS USERS ONLY) - https://www.tobiaserichsen.de/software/loopmidi.html
     
    OSC/Pilot - https://oscpilot.com/
     
    CommsKit: https://onlx.ltd/commskit/

  • Class 3: Working with Real-Time Data Inputs
    • Handling real-time data inputs (Audio, OSC, MIDI) in live environments
    • Managing data flow for interactive systems
    • Exercise: Integrate data streams for a practical use case


  • Class 03 - Slides
  • Class 03 - Start Files
  • Class 03 - TD Files
  • 01. Build an audio analyzer
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  • 02. Audio Analyzer Tool
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  • 03. Virtual MIDI
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  • 04. Connecting MIDI Interfaces
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  • 05. MIDI in Map
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  • 06. Connecting with OSC
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  • Session #3 recording
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Class 4: Working with Live A/V and Lighting Performance (DMX & Ableton)

6 videos, 3 resources, 3 lessons

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  • Connecting external hardware (DMX controllers, Ableton Live)

     

  • Industry workflows for seamless hardware-software integration

     

  • Class 04 - Slides
  • Class 04 - START FILES
  • Class-04-TD-Files
  • Exercise: Build a system incorporating external hardware

    Your task for this week is to use either audio, MIDI, DMX, Ableton, or a combination and create a component for reactive/interactive visuals. You may build upon your first assignment if you choose to.

    The component must have the following:

    • An output TOP named out1
    • A resolution of 1280x720
    • 3 different mappings
  • 01-Simple-DMX-With-CHOPS
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  • 02-Simple-DMX-With-POPs
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  • 03-DMX-Multiple-Lighting-Fixtures-With-POPs
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  • 04-TD-Ableton
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  • LEGACY-BONUS-Multiple-DMX-Fixtures-CHOPS
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  • Session #4 recording
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Class 5: Build VJ Mixer with Presets

7 videos, 1 resource, 5 lessons

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  • Overview of control panels for different use cases (e.g., show control, VJing, installations, generative systems, and cue management).

     

  • Hands-on exploration of existing tools like Scene Changer, TDMorph, and community-developed frameworks

     

  • Exercise: Build a basic control panel tailored to a specific purpose, incorporating external tools and frameworks as needed.

     

  • Discussion: Analysing lessons learned from using external tools and applying them to custom designs.

     

  • Download TD Morph
  • Class 05 - TD Files
  • 01 - Modifying our Mixer
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  • 02 - Building our Renderer
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  • 03 - Post Effects
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  • 04 - Audio Analysis
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  • 05 - TD Morph
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  • 06 - Exploring Visuals
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  • Session # 5 Recording
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Class 6: Designing for Live Performance (Map a Stage)

10 videos, 1 resource, 4 lessons

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  • Techniques for designing user-friendly and reliable UI for interactive systems.

     

  • Strategies for integrating and scaling components into a cohesive control panel (e.g., handling scene switching, cues, and playback).

     

  • Exercise: Finalize and document a professional-grade control panel tailored to an industry-specific application.

     

  • Deliverable: Prepare project deliverables (UI mockups, functional demos, and technical documentation) for potential clients or employers.

     

  • Class 06 - TD Files
  • 01 - Introduction
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  • 02 - The Canvas
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  • 03 - Control Panel Layout
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  • 04 - Feedmapping
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  • 05 - TD Morph
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  • 06 - UV to Points
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  • 07 - Perspective UV's
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  • 08 - Timeline
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  • 09 - Timer CHOP
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  • Session # 6 Video
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Class 7: Creating Motion-Tracking and Input Systems (Media Pipe & CV)

5 videos, 1 resource, 4 lessons

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  • Class 7 - TD Files
  • Download Media Pipe

    Download MediaPipe by Torin, Dom Scott and Simon Alexander: https://github.com/torinmb/mediapipe-touchdesigner

  • Motion tracking, touch inputs, and other interactivity techniques

     

  • Case studies of successful interactive installations

     

  • Exercise: Create a motion-tracking prototype

     

  • 00 - Motion Detection
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  • 01 - Simple Blob Tracking
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  • 02 - Media Pipe Presence
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  • 03 - Media Pipe Note
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  • Session #7 Recording
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Class 8: Introductory Python (Build Application State Machine Loop)

5 videos, 1 resource, 3 lessons

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  • Python scripting for automating tasks and creating custom tools

     

  • Using scripts to optimize workflow in professional settings

     

  • Exercise: Develop a Python script for a specific industry scenario

      

  • Class 08 - TD Files
  • 00-Lesson-Overview
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  • 02-Starting-Program
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  • 03-Player-Win-States
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  • 04-Reset-Game
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  • Session # 8 Recording
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Class 9: Creating Immersive Rooms - LECTURE

1 video, 1 resource, 3 lessons

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  • Debugging and performance optimization in large systems

     

  • Techniques to ensure reliability in commercial projects

     

  • Exercise: Optimize an interactive project for performance

     

  • Class 09 - TD Files
  • Session #9 Recording
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Class 10: Final Presentations and Career Guidance

1 video, 5 lessons

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  • Final project presentations and career advice

     

  • Exercise: Showcase your work in a professional format

     

  • Presenting interactive projects for job applications or portfolios

     

  • Q&A on industry opportunities and career progression

     

  • Certification and next steps in your career

     

  • Session # 10 Recording
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Instructors

Kyle  Duffield

Kyle Duffield

Instructor

Kyle Duffield is a Toronto based Interactive and Experience Design Professional who creates immersive interactive installations and brand activations. He is also known for his affiliation with the studio and former gallery, Electric Perfume. As an educator, and technical consultant, he has facilitated interactive media workshops and projects with institutions across Canada, Shanghai, and online. Currently, Kyle is participating in Cycling 74’s Max Certified Trainer Program, and is focusing on creating unforgettable technological experiences. http://www.kyleduffield.com http://www.electricperfume.com

Frequently asked questions

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