An anti-idiomatic approach to light programming, spatial addressing and improvisation in TouchDesigner for clubs and third spaces

Please note this is not an introduction to Touchdesigner! Prior Touchdesigner knowledge is highly encouraged, but not essential. No previous lighting experience is required.

In this workshop, we’ll use TouchDesigner to learn to interface with various lights and build your own customisable and scalable lighting patches. We’ll also briefly touch on spatial design, but more importantly how Touchdesigner (and other softwares) can enable an infinite amount of design that’s often limited by lighting consoles and static arrangements.

→ Tuesday 29 September 2026, 7-9pm

→ CBD location, Melb/Naarm TBA via email.

→ $20, with registration - limited capacity, link in bio

★ What we’ll cover

We’ll begin with a short look at different lighting approaches and a simple pre-visualisation setup, then move into building and playing a network in TouchDesigner:

A practical overview of common fixtures, lights and effects
Designing for conventional club rigs and less predictable alternative spaces
Pre-visualisation techniques
DMX and Artnet
Scalability

★ What you’ll need

A laptop with TouchDesigner installed
PLEASE BRING A USB HUB WITH A ETHERNET PORT (or a computer that has one)
Optional: Your own dmx lights, Artnet nodes, or dmx interfaces.

Lighting Fixtures and Art-Net nodes are provided. We’ll be splitting these between groups, so you’re encouraged to bring your own gear if you’d can.

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‘Undisciplined Lighting Practice’ takes place on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Free entry for First Nations people & no one turned away for lack of funds: if cost is a barrier, please email fortunahsu@gmail.com , no questions asked.

This workshop is a collaboration with fundraising art zine /ˈmʌðə*/**: soil and signal. 80% of net proceeds will go directly to mutual aid networks - split 50/50 between GMAR and Mutual Aid Mates.*

Contact the host of (CANCELLED) Undisciplined Lighting Practice - Touchdesigner Lighting Workshop