I'm a graphic designer and visual artist looking to dive into creating interactive graphics, like small projects and games. I want to learn a programming language that will let me explore how graphics are rendered on screen and understand concepts like shaders. Is it unreasonable for a beginner to tackle this? What language should I start with, considering I'm on a Mac now but might switch to Windows later? Also, is there a specific term for this type of programming that could help me get more information?
5 Answers
JavaScript is a solid choice! It's versatile and you can even use languages that compile to JavaScript or support WebAssembly. If you're interested in functional programming, check out ClojureScript or PureScript for some cool options.
You might want to check out Processing—it’s a stable framework that's perfect for designers just starting out with coding. It's user-friendly and focuses on graphics, making it a great entry point!
This kind of programming is generally known as graphics or GUI programming. For a straightforward approach, HTML and its graphics capabilities are useful and quite forgiving. Python is often recommended for beginners too; it opens doors to 2D and even some 3D graphics. Just remember to leverage libraries, as they can save you a lot of hassle!
You should also look into p5.js—it's like Processing but in JavaScript, allowing you to branch out into other areas as you become comfortable!
Ultimately, your choice of language depends on what you want to achieve. There are many tutorials tied to specific languages, but learning one tool can set you up to use others later. If you're into 3D animations, engines like Unreal or Blender are great. For shader programming, check out 'The Book of Shaders' and explore Shadertoy for examples and inspiration!
Totally agree! Starting with libraries makes things easier and more fun. Trying to handle everything manually can be a drag.