HACKER Q&A
📣 interartdev

How would you find software work for making interactive art?


As someone who majored in art, in particular with classes that involve programming as a tool to "execute your vision" (rather than learning programming for the sake of fundamentals) I definitely see myself taking jobs for interactive art software. For example creating software that generate music based on how you are playing chess, or "mirrors" made out of stone or wood tiles that take feedback from video, and rotate the tiles to catch the right amount of light in order to duplicate what is in front of it.

Companies like this one are suited for what I want: https://limbicmedia.ca/ But I live in the US, not Canada, and I don't know what interactive art companies exist where I live (metro Midwest area).

  👤 _spduchamp Accepted Answer ✓
Just make stuff. Make stuff and get it out into some places. Talk to places you know, and see if you can do a little something here and there. A store window is a great place to make eye catching stuff for an unsuspecting audience. Do this a bit and build your network. Also, ad agencies are sometimes looking for "experiences" so that's another avenue to network.
👤 quaquaqua1
What you are currently describing sounds like it would be seen in an art installation somewhere at a museum or sponsored-expo. So to navigate those channels you would have to be good at networking in the art/non-profit scene to find paid work.

I don't think there are many companies that just wake up and say "we want to hire someone full time that makes (things like what you described)".

If there are, then search the web for such companies and see if you can send them a portfolio and resume, or if they have open positions posted already.

If you are hitting lots of roadblocks, then the next step would be to make this art on your own, market it on youtube, and monetize the projects through sales of art, ad revenue, individual donations, and so on. Then you can file taxes as a 1099 sole proprietor and you can start deducting the cost of expenses, and you've effectively "made your own job".

Good luck and enjoy!!