Course detail

Computer Art

FIT-VINAcad. year: 2025/2026

In this course we explore the places where art, mathematics and algorithms meet. The course consists of introduction into computer art, computer-aided creativity in the context of generalized aesthetics, a brief history of the computer art, aesthetically productive functions (periodic functions, cyclic functions, spiral curves, superformula), creative algorithms with random parameters (generators of pseudo-random numbers with different distributions, generator combinations), context-free graphics and creative automata, geometric substitutions (iterated transformations, graftals), aesthetically productive proportions (golden section in mathematics and arts), fractal graphics (dynamics of a complex plane, 3D projections of quaternions, Lindenmayer rewriting grammars, space-filling curves, iterated affine transformation systems, terrain modeling etc.), chaotic attractors (differential equations), mathematical knots (topology, graphs, spatial transformations), periodic tiling (symmetry groups, friezes, rosettes, interlocking ornaments), non-periodic tiling (hierarchical, spiral, aperiodic mosaics), exact aesthetics (beauty in numbers, mathematical appraisal of proportions, composition and aesthetic information). The course is lectured by Tomáš Staudek.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Martin Čadík, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Computer Graphics and Multimedia (UPGM)

Entry knowledge

The course assumes creative mind, artistic thinking, basic mathematical knowledge, basic knowledge of computer graphics principles.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Creative assignments -- up to 50 points (at least 10 evaluated pieces by 5 points):

  • 3 points: technical realization and aesthetic quality
  • 1 point: exhibition in the course gallery
  • 1 point: timely submission

Final project -- up to 50 points (creative graphics application):

  • 15 points: concept originality
  • 20 points: programming intensity
  • 15 points: interface quality


The monitored teaching activities include lectures, creative assignments, and the final project in a form of a creative graphics application. Students are responsible for reading and watching provided materials and participating in class discussions.
Assignments are provided in the form of individually elaborated projects. The classified credit has two possible correction terms.

Aims

The aim of the course on visual creativity in informatics is to get acquainted with the principles of mathematics and computer science in the artistic fields, to understand theoretical foundations of algorithmic creativity and software aesthetics, to get an overview of applied computer art, to apply practical skills from the field of software aesthetics, realizeand criticize artistic creations with the aid of computer.

  • Students will acquire both theoretical and applied competence in software aesthetics.
  • Students will be able to interpret and evaluate algorithmic works of art.
  • Students will deepen creative skills by fulfilling practical graphic assignments.

Study aids

Course homepage: https://music.phil.muni.cz/artgoritmy

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Adams, C. C.: The Knot Book. Freeman, New York, 1994.
Barnsley, M.: Fractals Everywhere. Academic Press, Inc., 1988.
Bentley, P. J.: Evolutionary Design by Computers.Morgan Kaufmann, 1999.
Bruter, C. P.: Mathematics and Art. Springer Verlag, 2002.
Deussen, O., Lintermann, B.: Digital Design of Nature: Computer Generated Plants and Organics.X.media.publishing, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2005.
Friedman, N., Akleman, E.: HYPERSEEING. The International Society of the Arts, Mathematics, and Architecture (ISAMA), 2012.
Grünbaum, B., Shephard, G. C.: Tilings and Patterns. W. H. Freeman, San Francisco, 1987.
Kapraff, J.: Connections: The Geometric Bridge Between Art and Science. World Scientific Publishing Company; 2nd edition, 2002.
Livingstone, C.: Knot Theory. The Mathematical Association of America, Washington D.C., 1993.
Lord, E. A., Wilson, C. B.: The Mathematical Description of Shape and Form. John Wiley & Sons, 1984.
McCormack, J., et al.: Ten Questions Concerning Generative Computer Art. Leonardo: Journal of Arts, Sciences and Technology, 2012.
Moon, F.: Chaotic and Fractal Dynamics. Springer-Verlag, New York, 1990.
Ngo, D. C. L et al. Aesthetic Measure for Assessing Graphic Screens. In: Journal of Information Science and Engineering, No. 16, 2000.
Peitgen, H. O., Richter, P. H.: The Beauty of Fractals. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1986.
Pickover, C. A.: Computers, Pattern, Chaos and Beauty. St. Martin's Press, New York, 1991.
Spalter, A. M.: The Computer in the Visual Arts. Addison Weslley Professional, 1999.
Stiny, G., Gips, J.: Algorithmic Aesthetics; Computer Models for Criticism and Design in the Arts. University of California Press, 1978.
Todd, S., Latham, W.: Evolutionary Art and Computers.Academic Press Inc., 1992.
Turnet, J. C., van der Griend, P. (eds.): History and Science of Knots. World Scientific, London, 1995.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MITAI Master's

    specialization NSEC , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NNET , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NMAL , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NCPS , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NHPC , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NVER , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NIDE , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NISY , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NEMB , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NSPE , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NEMB , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NBIO , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NSEN , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NVIZ , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NGRI , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NADE , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NISD , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective
    specialization NMAT , 0 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Tomáš Staudek, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Martin Čadík, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Towards mathematical art: art in the 20th and 21st centuries.
  2. Software aesthetics: visual forms of computer art.
  3. History of computer art: from the oscilloscope to interactive media.
  4. Aesthetic functions: from sinus and cosinus to the superformula.
  5. Aesthetic transformations: repetition, parametrization and rhythm of algorithms.
  6. Aesthetic proportions: golden section in mathematics, art and design.
  7. Spirals and graftals: models of growth and branching in nature.
  8. Geometric fractals: iterated functions and space-filling curves.
  9. Algebraic fractals: from the complex plane to higher dimensions.
  10. Chaotic fractals: visual chaos of strange attractors.
  11. Symmetry and ornament: periodic tiling and interlocking mosaics.
  12. Nonperiodic and special ornament: spiral, hyperbolic and aperiodic mosaics.
  13. Mathematical knots: knots and braids from the Celts to modern topology.

Project

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Tomáš Staudek, Ph.D.

Syllabus


Creative assignments follow the lecture topics and are realized in a form of non-supervised projects supported by freely available creative applications for each topic. Outputs will be exhibited in the students' gallery.
  1. Letterism and ASCII art
  2. Digital improvisation
  3. Computer-aided rollage
  4. Generated graphics
  5. Quantized functions
  6. Algorithmic op-art
  7. Evolutionary algorithms
  8. Chaotic attractors
  9. Context-free graphics
  10. Fractal flames
  11. Quaternion fractals
  12. Fractal landscape
  13. Escher's tiling
  14. Islamic ornament
  15. Circle limit mosaics
  16. Knotting
  17. Digital collage
  18. Graphic poster
  19. Artistic image stylization
  20. Generated sculpture