Immersive Spaces (Part I): Art Installations with TouchDesigner and more

Course Description:

This course is an introduction level to create immersive art installations using TouchDesigner as the main tool. We will have a hands-on approach using the DBL(Digital Bauhaus Lab) as a sandbox space for experimental audiovisual projects. Art installations are part of a practice in which artists and viewers constantly experience and construct space together. They are immersive environments that integrate various artistic techniques and strategies, generating a complex sensory experience for viewers. This seminar is based on a horizontal peer learning approach, therefore, active participation from all students and a commitment to attend all sessions is expected. At the end of the semester our goal is to create a joint spatial installation in the DBL.

Course Phases:

The course is divided into three phases, and each will have an assignment:

1. First phase:

We will focus on the fundamentals of TouchDesigner and its applications in audiovisual installations.

1st Assignment (03.11. - 24.11.)

2. Second phase:

We will get into the skills you need to design an Immersive Installation, focusing on what you need to have for a pre-production phase: Sketches & Moodboards, Storyboards / Animatics, Schematics, Prototyping (physical or digital).  

We will also ask ourselves the following questions during the conceptual phase: What is the Concept or Intent? Will it be linear (a story) or open-ended (exploration)? What will be the Audience Role: Passive observer, active participant, or co-creator?

2nd Assignment (05-01-202)

3. Third phase:

You will collaborate as a group on the creation of a joint audiovisual installation at the DBL during the exam period of the semester.

3rd Assignment (09-02-2026)

Workshops:

Attendance to these 2 workshops are mandatory for our Fachmodul:

“Strange Loops: Time, Space and Audiovisual Installation” Workshop (25–28 October) led by Bethan Hughes.

25.10. (Sat) 16:00 - (Dinner)

26.10. (Sun) 13:00-18:00

27.10. (Mon) 13:00-18:00

28.10. (Tue) 13:00-18:00

"Spatial Sound" workshop

05-12-2025 (Fri) hour TBD

Students:

• Yiming Han
• Lin Liu
• Malte Gunst
• Mohammadamin Matinfar (Matin)
• Tom Summerfield
• Ada Aslan
• Fateme Asadi
• Fine Grewe
• Maria Smirnova
• Keila Áurea Ramos de Almeida
• Anil Sidar Ildan
• Chin Yu Phyllis Yick

Tutorials List:

TOPICS	DATE	Links	Students name:
TouchDesigner level 1: — User Interface — Operator Families — How to work with: TOPs CHOPs DATs	03-11-2025	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5n4QbJ2N_Q&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AaXWvdQrbI&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl6qLD3IzC8&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvuUxuDvc8M&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x1YRaCGAfg&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=9	Fine Maria Lynn
TouchDesigner level 1.b: — How to work with: SOPs MATs COMPs — How to input images and movie files – Adjusting Images	10-11-2025	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa4vCAGtwrA&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd_aae-OijM&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ4Mxaeecdg&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pp9IUTN7lo&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP0Vc8Iu-Qs&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=14	[Name Student]
TouchDesigner level 3: — How to output content / Save images and videos – Masks and Mattes – Routing Your Content – Manipulating Audio – Audio reactive Content ?	17-11-2025	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WalUntMgMjI&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=44 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fOLp3_X_oU&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOGh5_N3SQQ&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=17 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyGVb9g-xl0&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=18 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3TFAvYCuSE&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT4c72p89ro&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=31	Tom Malte
TouchDesigner level 4: — Programming (python) in TD	24-11-2025	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NlmgX-Nldc&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=54 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Bvk_x2t08&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=56 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tZrLYO1U3g&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=57 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtEhxPjebHM&list=PLSqkC3f_BStxed6vKaF3m8IqsFC9BUXTl&index=60	Mohammadamin Matinfar (Matin)
TouchDesigner level 5: – Optional topics Examples: Blob tracking – Motion Tracking (body or Face or Hand tracking)	24-11-2025		[Name Student]

Students Notes: 20.10.2025.