Art and Computation

How to Join

Who This Is For

If you want to:

  • Work with computation as creative material
  • Make things—real prototypes, working systems, actual projects, custom digital tools
  • Work with AI to create new pipelines and processes
  • Build websites, games, work with robots, visualize data, build 3D worlds
  • Have flexibility to shape your own education
  • Keep your options open: art world, design career, tech industry, or invent your own path
  • Help build a new department from the ground up
  • Learn by doing in a studio culture

Then join Art & Computation.

Declaration Process

[Declaration process details will be added here - contact department for current information]

Timeline

Open House: Sunday, January 26, 6:30-9pm, College Building Room 521

Declaration deadline: [To be announced]

Questions?

Email: [Department contact email]

Drop by: [Office/studio location and hours]

Or come to the open house and ask in person.

FAQ

I don't know how to code. Can I still join?

Yes. We teach from first principles. No prior experience required.

The department is new—is that a problem?

No, it's an opportunity. You get to shape what it becomes. That's part of the education: being entrepreneurial, defining the future, building something together.

What kind of jobs can I get?

We prepare our students for: art practice (galleries, residencies), design work (UX, interaction design, creative technology), tech companies (Google, Adobe, startups), video games, or hybrid practices that combine all of these. Computational skills open multiple pathways.

What's the difference between Art & Computation and a CS program?

We're not training programmers. We're teaching you to work with computation as a creative medium. Technical skills are always threaded with cultural critique. You learn to build your own tools, question technology's impact, and use computation to make art and design that matters.

How much student work is there to look at?

We're new—the gallery is growing. But that means your work will help define what Art & Computation looks like. Ground floor opportunity.

What kind of computer do I need?

Your computer is probably fine. We can offer specific guidance when you get here. Most coursework can be done on a range of machines, and we support both Mac and PC.

If you absolutely need to buy a new laptop, more powerful machines will allow you to run Unity, 3D modeling software, and video editing more smoothly. Here are general minimum requirements:

Minimum Specs (Mac or PC):

  • Processor: Intel i5/AMD Ryzen 5 (or Apple M1/M2) or better
  • RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended
  • Storage: 256GB minimum, 512GB recommended (SSD preferred)
  • Graphics: Integrated graphics OK for most work; dedicated GPU helpful for Unity, 3D, video editing
  • Screen: 13" or larger

Recommended for 3D/Unity/Video:

  • RAM: 16GB or more
  • Graphics: Dedicated GPU (NVIDIA GTX/RTX series, AMD Radeon, or Apple M1 Pro/Max/Ultra)
  • Storage: 512GB or larger SSD

Software: Most of what we use is free and open-source (Processing, p5.js, VS Code, Blender, etc.). For Adobe Creative Suite and other paid tools, RISD provides student access.