In partnership with Refik Anadol Studio

After your first steps with vvvv — whether through the Beginner Class or your own experiments — you eventually reach a point where intuition alone is no longer enough. You start to see patterns, structures, and possibilities that call for a deeper understanding. This is the moment when patching becomes system design.

The Intermediate Foundation Class is where you learn the conceptual tools that unlock the real power of vvvv gamma. You will explore how dataflow and object‑oriented programming work together in a single environment, and how this hybrid paradigm lets you build systems that are both expressive and structured. Instead of relying on trial and error, you’ll learn to design with intention: shaping your own data types, structuring logic into modular components, and building systems that grow with your ideas.

Sign up here: https://thenodeinstitute.org/courses/vvvv-intermediate-foundations-summer-2026/

What will I learn?

You will dive into the architectural layer of VL, where reactive dataflow meets structured system design. The course helps you develop the mental models needed to move from intuitive patching to intentional, scalable architecture. You will learn how to:

• combine dataflow logic with object‑oriented structures
• design classes, records, and data models
• structure logic into modular, reusable components
• manage state and complexity in larger systems
• apply these principles in a real interactive project

Need to know the basics first?

The additional vvvv Beginner Class, led by Gabriela Gordillo and Rosi Grillmair, will guide you through everything you need to get started with patching in vvvv across eight sessions. When enrolling in the Intermediate Foundations course, you can add the Beginner Class at a reduced rate, or just sign up for it individually.

About the instructor

Christoph Ignaz Kirmaier aka chk is a multimedia artist, musician, educator and co-founder of the Vienna and Berlin based studio 3e8. In the past years he has worked all across large-scale corporate multimedia installations, sound design, generative graphics, electronics, animation, music videos, user experience and robotic prototypes in several companies, bands and collectives.

Schedule

The course starts on June 29th, comprises of 4 sessions that take place every Monday at 18:00 CET and last 3 hours each.

Join a diverse group of artists, designers, technologists, musicians, architects, and curious beginners for an immersive introduction to computational design and visual programming with vvvv. Over 8 weeks, you’ll develop the visual intuition, confidence, and creative momentum that make real‑time graphics feel natural and creatively empowering. This first chapter of your vvvv journey focuses on exploration, playful experimentation, and understanding how to think visually with the tool, laying the foundation for deeper, more structured work as you continue to grow.

Sign up here: https://thenodeinstitute.org/courses/vvvv-beginner-class-summer-2026

What will I learn?

The course covers all you need to know to start your vvvv career and enter specific intermediate or advanced topics. In 8 sessions you will learn the basics of programming in vvvv and creating real time renderings, audio and data visualizations, creative coding algorithms and building user interfaces.

Who is it for?

• Artists who find inspiration in nature, animation and technology
• Technologists who are searching for a multipurpose toolkit for interactive installations
• Architects and designers who want to learn new ways of visualising their ideas
• Developers who are annoyed by coding and want to try visual programming instead

Know the basics already?

The additional vvvv Intermediate Foundations Class introduces you to the conceptual and structural side of vvvv – object‑oriented patching, dataflow architecture, language methodologies, and the workflows used in professional installations and media art.

When enrolling in the Beginner Class, you can add the Intermediate Foundations course at a reduced rate, or just sign up for it individually.

About the Instructors

Rosi Grillmair aka remony is an artist, programmer and art- and culture mediator based in Linz, Austria and a long term vvvv community member. She is an excellent educator in the field of interactive media, community driven programming tools and artistic installations. Her sessions are a mix of playful lectures, hands-on tutorials and enough time for your questions and in-depth discussions.

Gabriela Gordillo aka gabrie1a is a visual communicator, media artist and researcher working at the intersection of sound, visuals, and interactivity. With a strong background in visual communication and interface design, she brings a poetic and experimental approach to creative coding. Her practice is rooted in curiosity, clarity, and hands-on experimentation.

Schedule

The course starts on April 27th, comprises of 8 sessions that take place every Monday at 18:00 CET and last 3 hours each.

UI Frameworks & Patterns in vvvv

February 26 + 27, 2026 — 18:00–21:00 CET
Live and Online · Recordings included

Designing user interfaces in vvvv has become increasingly flexible over the past years. With options ranging from ImGui and Avalonia to Rive or browser‑based UIs via CEF, and rendering engines like Skia and Stride, the ecosystem now offers a wide range of approaches — but also a fair amount of complexity when choosing the right one.

To help developers navigate this landscape, we’re hosting a new workshop:

In this two‑session class, Nils Weger (Phlegma) provides a structured overview of the current UI options in vvvv and explains how they differ in workflow, performance, and architectural implications.

The workshop covers comparing UI frameworks:

• Dear ImGui shipped with VVVV in VL.StandardLibs
• Avalonia with VL.Avalonia
• Rive with VL.Rive
• Web-Interfaces via VL.CEF

The lessons further cover:

• Understanding rendering backends: Skia vs Stride
• Choosing the right UI stack for tools, installations, and interactive systems
• Architecture patterns: MVVM and Model–View–Runtime
• Managing application logic with data channels and state machines
• Interaction models for mouse, keyboard, touch, hit‑testing and unified pointers

The goal is to give participants a clear mental model of how UI development in vvvv works today, and how to structure applications in a way that remains maintainable as projects grow.

About the instructor

Nils Weger (Phlegma) is a Media System Designer with two decades of experience building interactive tools and interfaces. His work ranges from robotic sculpting systems to control panels and multi‑touch installations. He has collaborated with Studio Brüll, Meso, Nsynk and others, and has been teaching vvvv since the early days.

Registration All details and tickets are available here: https://thenodeinstitute.org/courses/ui-frameworks-patterns-in-vvvv/

Announcing: New vvvv Classes!

As the year wraps up, we’re excited to share some great opportunities for you to dive into the world of vvvv, whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your skills. No matter where you are in your journey, these classes are a great way to build your skills, connect with like-minded creatives, and unlock the full potential of vvvv.

We’re also proud to announce that Refik Anadol, one of the most influential figures in the digital art world, has joined as an official ambassador for our vvvv programs at The NODE Institute! Beyond being a globally celebrated artist, Refik has been instrumental in advancing vvvv behind the scenes and regularly collaborates with the most talented patchers from our community. We’re honored to have him as part of the vvvv family, so thank you for your support!

Here’s what’s coming up:

Early Bird Registration for the vvvv Beginner Class Summer 2025

The next edition of our vvvv Beginner Class is here! Early bird registration is now open and will run until January 19th, 2024. The course begins on March 24th, 2025 and is perfect for anyone eager to explore creative coding and interactive media.

https://thenodeinstitute.org/vvvv-beginner-class-summer-2025/

Over 12 sessions, this course will guide you through the fundamentals of 2D and 3D visuals, audio-reactive designs, and interactive compositions — no prior programming knowledge required. Whether you’re an artist, designer, or technologist, this is your chance to start creating with vvvv!

Part II of the current Winter Class – “Deep Dive”

Missed the first half of the running winter class but already have some vvvv basics? No problem! Join us for the Winter Deep Dive, starting on January 13th, 2025. This advanced course consists of six sessions designed for those ready to tackle more complex projects.

https://thenodeinstitute.org/courses/ws24-5-vvvv-beginners-part-ii/

You’ll dive into topics like object-oriented patching, VL methodologies, and game development, all with practical exercises and real-world examples. Perfect for anyone ready to elevate their skills and learn how to create more robust applications.

About the Instructor

Christoph Ignaz Kirmaier, aka chk, brings a wealth of experience in multimedia, sound design, generative graphics, and interactive installations. With a background spanning corporate exhibits, animation, music videos, and robotics, his classes are hands-on, inspiring, and full of insights for real-world applications.

Besides his artistic practice he primarily runs the Vienna and Berlin based design and production studio 3e8, teaches experimental media and vvvv at FH St. Pölten and is also studying himself at the Tangible Music Lab in Linz.