The objective engage participants at the festival to express their thoughts and feelings about the relationship between creativity and code, (and for those without knowledge of coding, creativity and the web) using prompts such as:
- When is coding creative?
- When is coding not creative?
- Is coding an art form?
- What sort of coder are you?
- Can you have a coding "personality"?
- What would your coding flag/banner/emblem/symbol be?
Users were asked to make a flag that would expressing their answer in a visual format. We wanted to use flags to encourage participants to use a symbolic shorthand to express themselves.
The make-and-do aspect of the project attracted an audience of mainly young participants. When very young participants were involved, or those without any direct coding experience, the focus was broadened to how the internet or technology itself can help us be creative, or be a force for creativity.
The images shown above were flags made on Saturday 28th November 2016 at the Raise Your Flag stand run by Simon Allen of The Swarm.
Ah amazing - and people say that young people don't care about what's going on in the world. Code is the language of the future. Even a few years ago I wouldn't have believed you if you told me that but it'll soon be essential to have more than a working knowledge of...