A Hackers Toolbox: Electronics for Artists & Designers
Ferdinand Doblhammer
Design, Computer Studio
2026S, Lecture with Practical Exercises (VU), 2.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S05990
Description
Microcontrollers have quietly transformed the arts over the past two decades. Artists and designers have embraced these small, programmable devices as a core medium for creative expression. Hardware hacking was once the domain of engineers, but is now a fundamental tool in media art and design practice.
Microcomputers have become more accessible than ever. Initially developed for hobbyists, they have since become the foundation of countless projects at every scale. This course explores how microcomputers have been and continue to be used in artistic contexts, and works toward replicating existing works in order to understand how they are implemented.
Through simple methods, we will examine how common electronic devices can be hacked to generate new meaning by altering their intended use cases. Along the way, we will cover the basics of electronics, including resistors, diodes, motors, and various sensors, as well as how to read and interpret their data. We will build simple circuits and learn how to use the tools needed to properly assemble and test them. Using the Arduino IDE, our microcontrollers can be programmed to respond precisely to our intentions and communicate with other environments and software.
This course is intended to teach the foundation of microelectronics to directly support your own practice, with a particular focus on interactive installations.
Important
Please ensure you attend the introductory session on 23 March. Due to the high number of registrations, those who do not attend will be put at the back of the queue.
Organisation
Please bring your laptop and a dongle that allows you to connect a USB Type A cable to it (that's just the standard USB cable). You will not need to bring an Arduino or any other electronics, unless you have something specific in mind. You will be given a toolkit provided by the university; please use it and the parts responsibly.
Examination Modalities
70% attendance; 30% small electronics project.
Comments
max. 20 participants
https://github.com/angewandte-codinglab/A-Hackers-Toolbox-2026
Key Words
microcomputers, arduino, electronic media
Dates
Mon, 23 March 2026, 13:45–14:45 Seminar Room 4 , "Introduction" (preliminary discussion)
Mon, 13 April 2026, 13:45–16:45 Seminar Room 4
Wed, 15 April 2026, 10:00–13:00 Seminar Room 4
Mon, 20 April 2026, 12:45–16:45 Seminar Room 4
Mon, 27 April 2026, 12:45–16:45 Seminar Room 4
Mon, 04 May 2026, 12:45–16:45 Seminar Room 4
Mon, 11 May 2026, 12:45–16:45 Seminar Room 4
Mon, 18 May 2026, 12:45–16:45 Seminar Room 4
Course Enrolment
From 02 February 2026, 09:00 to 23 March 2026, 13:45
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Digital Transformation 162/040.10
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Media Transformation 162/040.50
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Artistic and art technology foundations: Artistic and art technology foundations 180/002.01
Experimental Game Cultures (Master): Free Electives: Free Electives 536/080.80
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Materialität und Medien: Fertigungstechniken für Installationen - Projektarbeiten 566/204.08
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Künstlerische Methodik und Technologie digitaler Kunst: Fertigungstechniken für Ausstellungen - Projektarbeiten 567/202.18
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Free Electives: Free Electives 568/080.80
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 1-3: Study Area 2: Science and Technology 569/020.20
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (1. Section): Technological Fundamentals: Technology, Coding, and Programming 576/104.25
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Technological Fundamentals: Technology, Coding, and Programming 576/204.25
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (1. Section): Technical Basics: Basics of Digital Applications 577/104.02
Industrial Design (1. Section): Transfer Techniques: Experimental Lab 580/102.20
Fine Arts (2. Section): Artistic Practice in Technical Context: Workshops 605/203.10
Fine Arts (2. Section): Artistic Practice in Technical Context: Free Electives out of Artistic Practice in Technical Context 605/203.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Technical Basics: Applied Photography - Ways of Presentation 626/204.15
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Technical Basics: Workshop-based Projects - Knowledge of Materials 626/204.20
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Science and Technology: Deepening / Application 700/002.20
Co-registration: not possible
Attending individual courses: not possible