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Algorithmic Design

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Unleash your creativity and discover the fun of designing with code in this free OpenLearn course, Algorithmic Design.

In this hands-on course, you’ll learn to think algorithmically and explore the aesthetics of code through playful experimentation with JavaScript and the p5.js library. You’ll engage with design ideas such as repetition, modularity, and serendipity to generate unique, personalised wallpaper patterns.

By the end of the course, you’ll have created beautiful, algorithmically generated wallpaper that showcases your new design skills – and adds a personal touch to your home.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

learn core design skills that allow you to experiment and play with algorithms
learn how algorithms can be used to create visually compelling outcomes
develop your creative judgement regarding the use of repetition, serendipity and modularity as part of your design process.

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First Published: 12/08/2025

Updated: 12/08/2025

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Course reviews

Michael Kamaran Jones 26 September 2025 6:47PM

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I thought reading briefly through it and watching the fascinating videos was ready informative and helpful, having a go at some of the work you have published I thought was quite cool and enjoying

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Paul Kenneth Neale 7 September 2025 11:35AM

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Way to much fun. I had to start the course more than ten times, because I kept getting stuck on P5*Js having too much fun to leave and complete the course. New ideas kept running through my head as I was learning and was unable to leave the Web Editor. Eventually I did push myself to complete the entire course, without to many major distractions. Awesome amount of fun and a great introduction to push myself to continue introducing programming into my thirst for more knowledge. Very impressive course, fundamentals built for life and way to much fun, loved it.

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Algorithmic Design

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