Workshop

This Spring's series of four workshops focus on a diverse range of polymathic practices. Each one a unique synthesis of history, science, art, technology, and culture.  

Students of all majors welcome.

 


This program is open to all eligible individuals. USC operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

 

 

Current Semester
Point-cloud snapshot of an old house
Jan 21 2021

Dance, VR, and Photogrammetry

When: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: Ahmanson Lab | Leavey Library, 3rd floor (LVL 301)
Event Type: Workshop
Learn about 3D video capture.
Read more about Dance, VR, and Photogrammetry
generative art
Nov 9 2020

Glitch and D3.js

When: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: Ahmanson Lab | Leavey Library, 3rd floor (LVL 301)
Event Type: Workshop
New technologies allow developers to make efficient and versatile web applications for different use cases. After an overview of how modern web applications work, participants will learn how to make applications and data visualizations using Glitch and D3.js
Read more about Glitch and D3.js
tensorflow
Oct 19 2020

TensorFlow Tutorial Walk Through

When: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: Ahmanson Lab | Leavey Library, 3rd floor (LVL 301)
Event Type: Workshop
A neural network is a set of algorithms, modeled on the human brain, designed to discover and "learn" patterns within massive data sets. These networks are powering a new generation of artificial intelligence and are responsible for radical recent advancements in facial recognition, surveillance, autonomous vehicles, and synthesized speech systems. Participants in this workshop will explore simple neural networks and learn how their algorithms work.
Read more about TensorFlow Tutorial Walk Through
earth tones squares
Sep 21 2020

P5js Workshop

When: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: Ahmanson Lab | Leavey Library, 3rd floor (LVL 301)
Event Type: Workshop
After a survey of generative design applications and tools, participants will explore algorithms that produce computational graphics and animations. Participants will learn the basics of writing code in order to create such algorithms using p5.js, a javascript library. No prior coding experience required!
Read more about P5js Workshop
generative art by ada toydemir
Apr 27 2021

Platforms and Power

When: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: Ahmanson Lab | Leavey Library, 3rd floor (LVL 301)
Event Type: Workshop
This workshop will have participants examine the degree to which platform owners exert control over their users. We will discuss recent issues in free speech in social media governance in addition to anarchic worlds in video games and utopian open source development communities.
Read more about Platforms and Power
Screenshot of project featuring images of Eileen Chang
Apr 8 2021

Books in Browsers: An Introduction to Scalar

When: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: Ahmanson Lab | Leavey Library, 3rd floor (LVL 301)
Event Type: Workshop
This workshop will introduce participants to Scalar, an authoring and publishing platform

used by faculty and students at colleges and universities worldwide to create born-digital, media-rich research projects and exhibitions. The first half of the workshop will include a presentation on the platform’s origins and aims as well as the conceptual framework underlying its features. The second half will include a hands-on overview of the platform’s basic functionality: adding media and text to Scalar projects.
Read more about Books in Browsers: An Introduction to Scalar
generative art
Mar 25 2021

Brain Computer Interfaces

When: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: Ahmanson Lab | Leavey Library, 3rd floor (LVL 301)
Event Type: Workshop
This workshop will introduce the technology behind Brainstorm, a Brain Computer Interface (BCI) platform developed at the Ahmanson Lab that allows users to play games using EEG machines that detect brain activity. Participants will have hands-on experience making interactive generative art using this technology.
Read more about Brain Computer Interfaces
AI generated art
Feb 18 2021

The Age of Neural Networks

When: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: Ahmanson Lab | Leavey Library, 3rd floor (LVL 301)
Event Type: Workshop
This workshop will introduce neural networks, a class of algorithms that governs the current period of artificial intelligence. After a discussion of it’s intellectual origins, we will discuss current events and issues on the topic. Participants will have hands-on experience coding these algorithms, and using these algorithms for a few different use cases.
Read more about The Age of Neural Networks
AI generated art
Jan 28 2021

Deepfake Detection

When: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Where: Ahmanson Lab | Leavey Library, 3rd floor (LVL 301)
Event Type: Workshop
This workshop will introduce students to the field of digital forensics and offer best practices and technological methods for spotting AI-generated fake media online. In addition, participants will get hands-on experience with recent AI applications and technologies that generate ‘fake’ media.
Read more about Deepfake Detection
mannequin head connected to swivel base
Mar 10 2022

Surveillance and the Attention Economy

When: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Where: Ahmanson Lab | Leavey Library, 3rd floor (LVL 301)
Event Type: Workshop
How do governments and corporations surveil citizens and aggregate data? In this workshop, participants will examine how companies profit from surveillance and learn practical tools in taking agency over their data.
Read more about Surveillance and the Attention Economy