Processing Interactivity, O’Reilly, and Public Critiques

by Joseph Flaherty on August 13, 2009

Technical publisher O’Reilly has released a new book for artists and designers called Processing programming language and the Arduino hardware platform. Written by an art school professor it seems to cover everything the aspiring “Internet of Things” tinkerer could need. Fundamentally, it teaches people to “Make Cool Things”. Even more interesting than the content is the way the book’s marketing message was shaped.

Brady Forest, O’Reilly Editor/Ignite creator announced the book on Twitter:

Oh cool! We came out with our book on Arduino and Processing. Just ordered my copy. http://bit.ly/k6J

Kathy Sierra, O’Reilly Author/Editor and UX thinker extraordinaire called out the uninspiring marketing blurb:

@brady the O’Reilly page for “Programming Interactivity” has technically accurate yet wildly underwhelming/uncompelling marketing copy.

FYI, this is the copy in question:

Sebastopol, CA—Interested in using electronics and programming to create rich interactive experiences with your artwork and designs? With Programming Interactivity (O’Reilly Media, $49.99 USD), you’ll explore important themes in interactive art and design: 2D and 3D graphics, sound, physical interaction, computer vision, geolocation, and much more.

You will also examine cutting-edge technologies for interaction design, and read through discussions with leading artists and designers on project and theory. With the help of this book, you will have the background and technical information you need to design, program, build, and troubleshoot your own projects. Programming Interactivity explains programming and electrical engineering basics, and introduces three freely available tools created specifically for artists and designers:

* Processing, a Java-based programming language and environment for building projects on the desktop, Web, or mobile phones
* Arduino, a system that integrates a microcomputer prototyping board, IDE, and programming language for creating your own hardware and controls
* OpenFrameworks, a coding framework simplified for designers and artists, using the powerful C++ programming language

You’ll get working code samples you can use right away, along with the background and technical information you need to design, program, build, and troubleshoot your own projects. You’ll finish this book knowing how to design interaction and incorporate software and electronics into your projects.

Not bad for a press release, but O’Reilly VP Sara Winge took up Sierra’s challenge:

@KathySierra you’re right, “Programming Interactivity” description could/should be zippier. We’ll give it a shot.

Sierra provides encouragement:

@sarawinge yes! It’s just that it’s such an incredibly cool topic, but described there like a much less cool one. Needs a pulse. : )

Winge responds with:

@KathySierra Thanks for prompting us to do better. @ediefr nailed it: “Programming Interactivity”=”Make cool things.” http://bit.ly/10qdtz

The “Make Cool Things” mantra was expanded into this updated marketing copy which is a far better embodiment of the ethos of its target customer:

Make cool stuff. If you’re a designer or artist without a lot of programming experience, this book will teach you to work with 2D and 3D graphics, sound, physical interaction, and electronic circuitry to create all sorts of interesting and compelling experiences — online and off. Programming Interactivity explains programming and electrical engineering basics, and introduces three freely available tools created specifically for artists and designers: Processing, Arduino, and OpenFrameworks.

Programming Interactivity explains programming and electrical engineering basics, and introduces three freely available tools created specifically for artists and designers:

Processing, a Java-based programming language and environment for building projects on the desktop, Web, or mobile phones

Arduino, a system that integrates a microcomputer prototyping board, IDE, and programming language for creating your own hardware and controls

OpenFrameworks, a coding framework simplified for designers and artists, using the powerful C++ programming language

BTW, you don’t have to wait until you finish the book to actually make something. You’ll get working code samples you can use right away, along with the background and technical information you need to design, program, build, and troubleshoot your own projects. The cutting edge design techniques and discussions with leading artists and designers will give you the tools and inspiration to let your imagination take flight.

In the end, Kathy Sierra approved:

Twitter-in-action: I tweeted that a VERY cool O’Reilly book had a VERY dull description. < 24 hrs later, someone upgraded the mktg copy : )

You’ve got to appreciate O’Reilly Publishing on a lot of levels:

1. They publish a book this cool.

2. They call each other out when they slip on quality.

3. They do so publicly.

Critique is often perceived as hostility, but kudos to team O’Reilly for staying focused on quality and customers, even at the expense of a little ego.