Another function setup()
Yes, another function was setup in my coding space. A level up to my pre-existence coding knowledge. This time it was a new language. We were introduced to a new language of JavaScript, where we coded in p5js. Having a previous experience in Python and a bit of it in Processing helped me a lot to step into this language. The context of using the functions and programs is same but the way we use it with different syntaxes is different. Advanced Programming and Prototyping taught me various concepts which varied from the Basic programming class we had before. Previous class was about bringing concepts to functionality, but the advanced concepts taught me to add aesthetics along with interactivity while bringing the concepts and ideas to life.
Should Designers learn to code?
A familiar question came our way before as well, where we discussed on the importance of coding/programming in the design field. Coding is a part of the whole design process and plays one of the vital roles when it touches upon the final prototype stage. Prototyping between functions, parenthesis, indents, variables and translations helped to delve further into the topic and refer other resources on the same. Problem solving and prototyping the solution was explorative, as towards the end we knew that our solution is going to be a tangible solution due to the usage of code. Personally speaking, I felt that if designers are told to code the ideas as well, then they sort of restrict themselves from designing things which cannot be coded. Since they do not know the constraints and the freedom of coding, they do not take that path while designing. But when they do, their designs and outcomes are different. As the class progressed, it became quite interesting as to how different people collaborated to teach different concepts. This initiated self learning and practicing while on our own.
The fact that most designers are not ready to learn the technical aspect of coding is not surprising talk as both design and coding are two huge oceans of all the water bodies to be known. It is not easy to take half steps into each. Though, both are equally important to each other and they relatively are dependent on themselves, it is important to at least have a touchdown on programming as designers and have an understanding as to what can be achieved and what not. To design a product, one needs to have a balance of both. We cannot say that both Design and Coding are two alien concepts. They have a lot in common in different ways. Both include the use of knowledge and logic and an understanding of how things work at a certain level. Hence learning coding for designers can be done by choosing a similar pathway and lens to learn coding.
In David Kelley’s interview, he stresses upon he distinction between engineering and design and how one needs to have openness and creativity in design. Taking learning risks is not something, which is not achievable. Learning openness and creativity can be taught to an individual. But one of the important things that play a major role in this context is the environment an individual is based in. It is the people, one interacts and converses with and based on that the notions that are created within oneself. He talks about the difference between the learning process of engineers and designers. Though both follow a somewhat similar process and mindset, but the topic of flexibility has not yet set in for the engineers. Their methodology does not include exploration and flexibility in their way of approach. Analysis helps the engineers to solve a problem better as compared to the designers. On the other hand, designers think for a solution but take a step beyond the obvious. It’s the way each of them is taught to think and evolve through their processes. Engineers and Designers do overlap in various ways, but the argument will always be on whether one should be a master of all or none.
Object Oriented Programming (oops) is a paradigm based off having the advantages of both modularity and re usability. It helps in the interaction of one design applications to another and to various other computer applications as well. Designing in an object-oriented approach guided me to designing a community of individuals and classes. The object-oriented methodology helps us to organize our design and the way we think around the problems in objects and style of classes.
Overall, the studio was helpful and proved to be helpful in learning advanced programming concepts to put in usage. There are different ways to include these learnings whether in the object-oriented approach or another design approach. This has certainly developed an advanced approach and methodology in coding concepts and learn further into the topic.
