
Developing graphic design browser tools
with
Vera van de Seyp
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore how JavaScript can become a powerful, generative, and interactive tool for graphic design. Whether you’re designing posters, animations, typographic systems, or custom tools, JavaScript gives you access to the canvas, the DOM, and real-time user input—opening up new workflows that are procedural, dynamic, and deeply customizable.
The course is structured around short demos, guided coding sessions, and creative prompts. We'll move between mini-lectures on key design-code concepts and open studio time, where students can get feedback on their work. Expect to build a few small projects (like animated posters or data-driven compositions), as well as one larger design tool or system of your own choosing.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll gain confidence in using JavaScript and adjacent languages for visual expression, learn to think algorithmically about design, and leave with a personal toolkit of reusable code patterns for future experiments. We’ll cover basic drawing with canvas, responsive layouts with HTML/CSS, JS, interaction with mouse, keyboard, or scroll, and how to structure generative design systems.
This class is beginner-friendly but fast-paced. Those with prior experience will benefit most. Basic familiarity with JS/HTML/CSS will help you move forward the best. Graphic designers, artists, creative coders, and anyone looking to expand their design practice through code are warmly welcome.
Whether you’re interested in building custom generative design tools, animating posters with code, or crafting experimental visuals for the web, this workshop will help you connect design and programming in a playful, practical way.
Required materials list
- Laptop with working internet connection
- Notebook or paper sheets
- Pen/Pencil
This class is 6 sessions beginning Oct 7, skipping October 21 and ending on Nov 18.
Registration for this class will open on September 3.
About Vera van de Seyp

Vera van de Seyp is a computational designer and educator. Her work explores generative design tools, computational typography, and using artificial intelligence for design. She has collaborated with clients like WIRED, Signal, and Google Creative Lab. She also teaches and gives workshops and lectures to inspire creatives to make (and code) their own design tools. Vera completed a Research Assistantship with the Future Sketches group at MIT Media Lab.