Dates & Times: Thursdays: 9th / 16th / 23rd / 30th September 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin / 10am LA / 1pm NYC

Length: 2-hours each session

Level: Beginners curious about creating immersive visuals with TouchDesigner

TouchDesigner is a powerful tool for creating live performances, installations, real time visuals and complex digital systems. In this series of workshops you’ll learn the basic functioning of TD’s node-based workflow and how to use them to create media, use the data to manipulate content and how to organize and navigate your TouchDesigner networks.

Series Learning Outcomes

By the end of this series a successful student will be able to create content by:

• Becoming familiar with the User Interface

• Exploring TouchDesigner’s building blocks

• Constructing dynamic visual effects

• Applying basic audio reactivity and other techniques

See below for all 4 weeks

Series Study Topics

• TouchDesigner User Interface and patching

• How to use building blocks (operators)

• Controlling parameters for dynamic visuals

• Audio reactivity and visual effects techniques

See below for all 4 weeks

Session 1

Topics

• Overview, Interface, Mouse & Shortcuts

• Operator Families & Operator Structure

• TOPs – Texture Operators

• CHOPs – Channel Operators

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

1: Navigate the TouchDesigner User Interface and utilise mouse and shortcuts controls

2: Become familiar with operator families and their structure

3: Construct basic networks via TOPs

4: Export CHOPs to create dynamic networks

Session 2

Topics

• SOPs, MATs and Rendering

• DATs

• COMPs and Network Structure

• Palette & Additional Info

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

1: Build rendering networks via SOPs and MATs

2: Utilise and apply data via DAT operators

3: Construct custom networks via COMPs

4: Locate examples and info from resources such as the Palette

Session 3

Topics

• Audio Overview

• Instancing

• Building a Project 1

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

1: Utilise audio CHOPs within a network

2: Apply audio CHOPs as modulation sources

3: Build basic Instancing networks

4: Begin to construct a bespoke self directed project

Project Overview

During Session 3 and 4, you will build a self directed and bespoke project in TouchDesigner. You will be supported by the workshop leader and the teaching assistants during these sessions. You can incorporate any techniques you have learnt from the workshop series into the project.

Examples include:

• TOPs driven from CHOPs

• Dynamic / generative art

• Audio reactive content

• Basic Instancing network

• 3D geometry via SOPs

In session 4 you can share your project to your peers in your Zoom break-out room. You will also be asked to provide feedback on your peers project’s.

Session 4

Topics

• Building a Project 2

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

1: Work independently, with support, within the TD environment

2: Apply various techniques from the workshop series to construct dynamic networks

3: Continue to construct a bespoke self directed project

4: Share their work with peers and provide feedback to peers

Requirements

• A computer with internet connection

• A web cam and mic

• A Zoom account

• A three button mouse or to configure Apple Track Pad appropriately

• TouchDesigner (free version suffices https://derivative.ca/download)

• If you’re on Mac please check TouchDesigner can run on your system (i.e. has basic GPU requirements such as Intel HD4000 or better)

About the workshop leader 

Bileam Tschepe aka elekktronaut is a Berlin based artist and educator who creates audio-reactive, interactive and organic digital artworks, systems and installations in TouchDesigner, collaborating with and teaching people worldwide