Composition and Structure

In the previous chapter, we started with drawing visual elements and experimented with these elements in Processing, line by line. In this chapter, we move from the first step toward the second step: Composition and Structure. The longer we experiment with visual elements and the more we discover about their properties, the more complex become the sketches we can create. For example, we can create variants of an interesting visual element when quickly trying out different shapes, color combinations, and form compositions. In the beginning, this creative progress is fast, but then it slows down because our sketches get more and more complex. We can experience this as feeling “stuck,” overwhelmed, or confused. One way to move on is to add some kind of order or structure, so our minds can relax and build up momentum for the next steps. Structure is not just helpful to regain an overview and make sense of code. Structure is also an aesthetic quality and can help us express our ideas by focusing on the bigger picture or the relations between visual elements or visual layers.