March 15, 2025 - https://ccfest.rocks

virtual CC Fest is a community-powered celebration of creative coding held online. Organized and funded independently by educator Saber Khan, the festival brought together a global network of educators, students, artists, and technologists to explore how code can be used as a medium for expression, learning, and connection. The event was free to attend, and a donation box was offered to support Zoom licensing, speaker stipends, and presenter honoraria.

The festival took place on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 9am–1pm PST (12pm–4pm EST). It featured three inspiring keynotes and 11 engaging workshops across two sessions, punctuated by community check-ins and announcements. A special opening announcement by Aurora Mititelu, Coordinator of Social Software at UCLA Arts, invited participants to explore the AI, Code and Art Summer Institute and the Social Software Instagram.

Saber shared the CC Fest Teacher Camp, a free virtual creative coding camp for educators. Educators can apply here. Classes start on Saturday, April 12.

Opening Keynote: Saskia Freeke

The event began with a beautiful and meditative presentation by generative artist Saskia Freeke, who is renowned for her daily visual experiments. Saskia shared her journey into creative coding, focusing on the rhythm and structure of grid-based generative art. Participants were mesmerized by her evolving aesthetic and thoughtful reflections on the value of routine, repetition, and simplicity.

Her talk included insights into her tools and inspirations, sharing how she built a practice around daily visual compositions using generative grids and minimal shapes. Participants in the chat expressed awe and appreciation, with reactions like “love the grid work!!!!” and “I want it all as my wallpaper now.” Saskia explained how she draws inspiration from simple forms—circles, squares, triangles—and uses constraints to explore infinite variations. Her routine of making and posting daily creations became a powerful reflection on creative discipline and visual rhythm. The talk emphasized how small, intentional steps in creative coding can lead to profound visual outcomes and long-term growth.

Resources: sasj.nl, Marmoset Hexels

Session video: Watch on YouTube

Julien Gachadoat: Anatomy of Letters

Julien Gachadoat offered a deep dive into generative design using JavaScript and p5.js. His workshop showcased how to structure code for flexibility, build reusable parameter-based functions, and manipulate geometric forms in elegant, precise ways. Participants were thrilled by the open-source examples Julien shared and the emphasis on both aesthetic refinement and code modularity.

He introduced patterns based on grid calculations, polar transformations, and Bézier curve controls—bringing a mathematical elegance to every generative sketch. Julien also offered practical strategies for writing scalable code that allows iterative visual development.

His GitHub repository (github.com/v3ga/CCFest25) became an instant hit in the chat, with many participants remixing the templates live during the session. The workshop was a masterclass in both artistic rigor and computational design.

Resources: Github

Session video: Watch on YouTube

Blair Subbaraman: 3D Printing with p5.fab!