Ralph
Sagrott
A London-based designer
shaping ideas through thoughtful, interdisciplinary design.
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Node by Node
A poster zine introducing visual programming to designers through clear explanations and a hands-on activity. It combines educational content with a visual language inspired by the logic and layout of node-based systems.
Learning to Think in NodesNode by Node is a folded zine designed to make visual programming more approachable for creatives. It introduces core concepts like nodes, operator families, and data flow, offering designers an alternative entry point into creative coding. The reverse side acts as an instructional poster, guiding readers through a step-by-step generative project using TouchDesigner. Blending clarity with visual structure, the zine serves both as an educational tool and a nod to the systems it explains.
A Visual Language Inspired by ProgrammingEvery visual element of the zine was crafted to echo the aesthetics of node-based programming. The page numbers, positioned along the outer middle edge, mimic the way node blocks connect at their endpoints. A futuristic sans-serif typeface was chosen to reflect the tech-forward nature of the content, reinforcing a sense of digital modernity. For the reverse instructional poster, despite its text density, the layout was carefully structured to mirror the interface of a visual programming environment—balancing clarity with coherence, and ensuring the overall aesthetic remained consistent with the publication side.
Making Visual
Programming TangibleI wanted to give readers something practical they could take home and try for themselves—because the best way to learn is by doing. The reverse side of the zine doubles as a step-by-step guide to building a generative visual in TouchDesigner, using a simple node network that still produces an impressive output. Despite being text-heavy, the layout was carefully designed to match the visual logic of a node-based interface, helping the poster feel like an extension of the software environment itself. This publication also led to a hands-on workshop at UAL Chelsea College of Arts, where I walked students through the basics of creating node networks and encouraged them to explore creative coding through visual tools.