Research
Study maps the global ecosystem of creative coding through 1.6 million repositories
Researchers conduct the first large-scale analysis of artist-led open-source libraries to understand how creative practitioners worldwide use code as an artistic medium.
A new empirical study offers the first comprehensive look at how artists and designers leverage code as a creative tool, examining nearly 1.6 million publicly shared repositories that rely on artist-friendly platforms like Processing and openFrameworks.
The Research Scope#
The investigation pulled data from the Software Heritage archive, analyzing 1,613,571 code repositories to map the landscape of code-based creative practice. The researchers combined quantitative analysis with qualitative investigation to understand who is making creative work with code, where they're located, and what they're building.
What the Findings Reveal#
The study documents a thriving, globally distributed ecosystem. Key discoveries show:
- Generative art and creative coding have significant worldwide presence, spanning from amateur practitioners to established creative industries
- Educational adoption is widespread, with university curricula incorporating code-based creative practices
- Geographic diversity demonstrates that this form of artistic expression has taken root across many regions and cultures
The researchers illustrated their findings with concrete examples of repositories and contributor profiles, showcasing the range of practice—from formal academic curricula to works displayed in contemporary art contexts.
Why This Matters#
The work establishes a foundation for educators, researchers, and artists who study the intersection of code and creative practice. Understanding this diverse ecosystem can help the community foster sustained diversity in how we design and build our digital future.