One Blonde's Opinion: Coding is Artistic

This week, let’s take a step back. To something outside of the actual blockchain realm, but still all so important. Let’s talk about coding. Coding is another one of those hot buzzwords that seems to make people respect you 10,000 times more. It’s an automatic bonus skill on any job application and your friends definitely think you’re that much more of a genius if you can code, am I right?

So the coder “stereotype” sounds pretty great. People think you’re smart, you’ll possibly add a couple bucks to your salary, employers want you, and you can run some pretty cool programs. Sounds all good… until you start hearing the negative stereotypes. You know, the ones that say coders are socially awkward, nerdy, and completely left brained/scientific… aka the opposite of creative and artistic. To some, that may be completely spot on and that’s okay! But to others of us, it’s completely far off. And I, for one, am ready to change that image starting with the idea that coding isn’t creative or artistic.

I’m just going to come right out and say it -- coding is an art form. Yeah, us coders might be as analytical and as logical as they come, but we too can be CREATIVE, OKAY!? And here is why:

First of all, computer code is used as a tool to create other statements of expression -- video games, music, websites, etc. Last time I checked, art is also a form of expressionism. Take painting or sculpting, for example. They are forms of self expression that are available anytime, anywhere. So is coding! As long as you have the tools (whether it be a paint brush or a computer) anyone can do it! Sure, they take some skills, but at the end of the day, whether you’re creating a painting or a video game, you’re still creating.

Next, let’s look at the unparalleled similarities. In coding and in painting (for example), they both create something from nothing. Either way, you’re starting off staring at a blank computer screen or a blank canvas. After some substantial effort (and probably talent) that once blank “surface” becomes, uhh how you say….work of art? The coder and the painter will continually improve their masterpiece, tweaking and adjusting, until it’s ready to serve its purpose for a group of people. Essentially, this is what Paul Graham, a computer programmer who decided to study painting, wrote about in his essay Hackers and Painters.

Not only is art like coding, it also applies to coding. I mean, come on, the overall aim is arguably to inspire and empower. Plus, really good coding, especially when in relation to a website or something, takes the aesthetics into account. The user interface needs to be well-polished, colorful, simple, and pleasantly well-organized. That’s basically art in and of itself!

So, basically, if you’re a coder, you’re like Lena drawing Kostas under the Greek sun…Well, a girl can dream ;)

** Disclaimer - One Blonde’s Opinion (OBO) means emphasis on OPINION. Anything in the OBO series will be a reflection of my opinion and no one else’s. **