Have you ever wondered why Changi Airport’s digital art animations never seem to repeat? Or why different video game characters feel so distinct to play? Or how data visualizations make complex information easier to understand?
Creative Computing is a new course that will be offered at NUS in Semester 2, 2026. In this course, you will learn to create generative and interactive visuals through programming, and explore how computation shapes creative fields such as games, interactive installations, and communication design.
This course is for students interested in exploring the intersection of design and computation, with a specific focus on classic generative algorithms and procedures. It is structured in three phases:
Course Code: ID4400 (UG) / ID5400 (PG)
Units: 4
Course Title: Creative Computing
fulfils elective requirement for CDE Minor and 2nd Major in
Computing
Coursework: case studies, creative coding assignments, mini project
Schedule: Mondays 9.30am to 1.00pm
Course Instructor: Clement Zheng
Questions? Drop Clement an email at clement.zheng@nus.edu.sg
The animation running in the background is being computed live on your very device. It is a type of flocking simulator, following the classic "Boids" algorithm. All movement and behavior is procedurally generated. Each creature is defined by two bezier curves.
Here are some examples of algorithms and topics that we will cover in this class:
Conway's Game of Life credit
Reaction Diffusion Patterns credit
Data/Information Visualization credit
Simple Physics Engines credit