Join the Derivative team on Tuesday March 18th, for a lively gathering of TouchDesigner enthusiasts, where we'll share projects, passions, and maybe a few obsessions during an evening of presentations from community stars. There will be plenty of time to socialize before and after the talks, providing a chance to connect, exchange ideas, and perhaps spark collaborations over drinks and bites.
Our presenters for the evening are the renowned artist Ali Phi known for his innovative use of generative systems and interactive media, TouchDesigner expert & educator Elburz Sorkhabi, founder of The HQ, and a leading resource in the TD community, and developer & technologist Dom Scott, co-creator of the MediaPipe plugin for TouchDesigner. More info about the presenters and what they will be sharing with us below.
Meetup Schedule
- 6pm - 6:45 pm Arrival, social
- 6:45 pm Derivative hello
- 7:00 - 7:30 Ali Phi | explore a hybrid approach to controlling visual and audio elements through user interaction.
- 7:30 - 7:40 Switch over
- 7:40 - 8:10 Elburz Sorkhabi | Mastering CHOP Shuffling in TouchDesigner: Unlocking Advanced Data Manipulation Techniques
- 8:10 - 8:20 Switch over
- 8:20 - 8:50 Dom Scott | Integrating MediaPipe and machine vision models into interactive installations
- 8:50 - 10:30 Socializing & drinks.
Elburz Sorkhabi | Mastering CHOP Shuffling in TouchDesigner: Unlocking Advanced Data Manipulation Techniques
Join Elburz Sorkhabi, co-founder of The Interactive & Immersive HQ, for a deep dive into CHOP data manipulation in TouchDesigner, with a special focus on the elusive art of CHOP shuffling and the Shuffle CHOP. Even experienced developers and artists often struggle with shuffling, yet mastering it is crucial for unlocking the full potential of CHOPs. If you’ve ever plugged data into a CHOP and it didn’t work as expected, chances are it wasn’t formatted correctly—this is where shuffling comes in. Elburz will demystify CHOP shuffling, breaking it down into clear concepts and sharing practical tricks to help you harness its power with confidence.
Elburz Sorkhabi is the co-founder of The Interactive & Immersive HQ and one of the leading TouchDesigner developers in the world. Over his career, he has performed on the world's largest stages, developed custom software for the world's biggest brands, led technical teams deploying large-scale media-art installations, and taught dozens of workshops at leading universities and institutions.
Elburz has led clients including Google, Netflix, the Burj Khalifa, Nike, Under Armour, IBM, Visa, AMEX, Verizon, T-Mobile, and many more through new works in Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Dubai, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, London, and Paris.
Follow Elburz The Interactive & Immersive HQ | Instagram
Ali Phi | explore a hybrid approach to controlling visual and audio elements through user interaction.
In this presentation, Ali will discuss his recent projects, Decompositions for Computers and TWh, which explore a hybrid approach to controlling visual and audio elements through user interaction. The key concept behind these works involves capturing user input from controllers or cellphones via a web application, which is then used to control parameters in TouchDesigner, generating dynamic visuals and sound. Ali will also highlight the technical process behind Decompositions for Computers, including the use of a virtual production studio where he utilized TouchDesigner to control cameras with a customized patch. This session will provide insights into the intersection of user-driven interactivity, live performance, and real-time generative art.
Ali Phi is a transmedia artist based in Toronto. His works are at the intersection of art, science, and technology, Through installations, autonomous machines, and performances, he explores the underlying mechanisms of new media, technology, interactions and data.
His practice explores the interplay between architecture, space, and perception, both physically and metaphorically. By blending computer programming and generative algorithms, he creates interactive media that merge geometry, pattern, light, and poetry. His works often incorporate transparent, reflective, and modular elements, utilizing mathematics, particle systems, and point clouds to provoke new imaginaries in both real and artificial worlds.
Known for his live performances, he integrates generative visuals, sound, and computational dialogues to create data-driven experiences. His work has earned multiple awards and grants, including support from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, and Photon Foundation Poland.
As the artistic director of TADAEX (Tehran Annual Digital Arts Exhibition) for five editions, he has also served as a jury member, mentor, and lecturer, leading workshops with the Toronto Arts Council, York University, and Virginia Commonwealth University of the Arts Qatar. His work has been showcased at Ars Electronica, Mutek (Montreal, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Dubai), Ontario Science Centre, Tehran Architecture Biennial, Patchlab Digital Art Festival, Asia Now, Art Brussels, New Now, and other exhibitions across Canada, the USA, UAE, and Turkey.
Follow Ali Website | Instagram
Dom Scott | Integrating MediaPipe and machine vision models into interactive installations
Dom will take you on a walkthrough of a recent TouchDesigner project using a combination of OSC control, and three different machine vision models (including MediaPipe) to generate a live interactive art piece and puzzle game.
Dom Scott is a tinkerer and artist based out of Toronto that likes making tech easier to access through easier to use tools, and art more accessible through interactivity.
He's created the MediaPipe plugin for TouchDesigner with Torin Blankensmith, designed lighting for the world's largest jackalope - Tarna the Art Car, created playing cards, turned lighters into musical instruments, and built all kinds of LED installations.
Follow Dom Website | Instagram
LOCATION & INFO
The doors will open at 6pm with presentations running from 6:45 to 9:00pm followed by more social time until 10:30pm. Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.
Address: 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 350 (not our company suite), Toronto | Maps
When arriving take the stairs or elevator to the 3rd floor and walk to the eastern most end of the building. Suite 350 is at the end of the hallway. See signage
This event is free but you will need to reserve your spot by getting a tickets at Eventbrite. Due to limited capacity please return your ticket if you are unable to attend.
TouchIn TO meetups are presented with the aim to unite, inspire, and showcase the TouchDesigner community in Toronto. These gatherings will highlight professional talent, introduce the community to the TouchDesigner market, and demonstrate the potential of TouchDesigner through a mix of networking, presentations, and interactive installations.
We look forward to a warm gathering of friends and peers passionate about TouchDesigner.