Event report

First TouchDesigner Meetup in Iran

Tehran•Nov 15, 2024

First TouchDesigner Meetup in Iran

In line with its mission to connect and inspire creators in the region, the Art and Technology Group organized the first TouchDesigner meetup in Iran. This milestone event brought together artists, developers, designers, and enthusiasts from across Tehran to explore the creative possibilities of real-time visual programming.

The gathering featured presentations, live demonstrations, and open sharing sessions, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that encouraged both beginners and experienced professionals to connect and learn from one another.

This event consisted of three main panels:

openHDMI: Open and available throughout the event for participants to showcase their work.
Workshop: An intermediate TouchDesigner workshop provided by the Otaaared computer arts training group.
Talks: A series of 15–20 minute presentations by TouchDesigner professionals based in Tehran.

openHDMI

During the TouchDesigner professional meetup, a dedicated section titled openHDMI was available to participants throughout the day.

openHDMI served as an open and dynamic platform where creators of all experience levels shared their works, ideas, and experiences with the community.

Participants, whether newcomers or seasoned professionals, were encouraged to bring their laptops and projects, connect via HDMI, and present their creations.

The initiative aimed to strengthen the spirit of sharing, encourage mutual inspiration, and support creativity at every stage of development.

Workshop

User Interface in TouchDesigner

Instructors: Arman Moghadam & Pedram Sadegh Beyki

For the first panel of the TD meetup in Tehran, we explored the importance of user interface design in the development of interactive tools in TouchDesigner. Participants got familiar with the Panel family of components and learned how to layout various panelCOMPs.

Topics

Reviewing practical examples of UI/UX in tools
Introduction to Panel Components
Understanding Component Hierarchy
Exploring Panel and Layout Parameters
Prototyping the user interface of a simple tool

This workshop was provided by the Otaaared computer arts training group.

About instructors

Arman Moghadam

Arman Moghadam, born in 1983, is an artist and programmer who began his career in 2011 and has been active in interactive arts since 2013. With over 10 years of experience in video mapping, interactive animation, and coding (TouchDesigner, Python), he has presented works at events such as Tirgan 2024 and Moers Festival 2023.

Pedram Sadegh-Beyki

Pedram Sadegh-Beyki is a digital artist with 14 years in animation and VFX, and 9 years in creative coding, tool development, and algorithm-based art. His work has been showcased at Boilerroom 4:3, CreativeCodeArt (NY), Neoshibuya (Tokyo), Demo (NL), LICC (London), SET Festival, and TADAEX (Tehran). He co-founded Otaaared.

Talks

Talk 1

Content Optimization & Cohesion in Immersive Video Mapping

This talk explores strategies for maintaining content cohesion in video mapping, optimizing large-scale graphic processing, and syncing generative visuals — with a focus on efficient mapping techniques.

Presenter: Majid Kiamehr

Majid Kiamehr (b. 1990) began his artistic journey in 2008 with sculpture. His path shifted toward new media and interactive art during his MA studies in animation. In recent years, he has focused on creative coding, generative works, and interactive installations.

Content Optimization & Cohesion in Immersive Video Mapping

Talk 2

Sequencer: A Professional Tool for Managing Interactive and Generative Setups

This presentation introduces the Sequencer user interface by the Simiya group — a specialized interface for designing and running interactive and generative installations.

Developed for performance optimization, real-time control, and fast scene switching, it also supports motion sensors and network-based multi-device coordination.

Presenter: Arman Moghadam

Arman Moghadam is an artist and programmer active in interactive arts since 2013, with extensive experience in video mapping, interactive animation, and TouchDesigner/Python development.

Sequencer: A Professional Tool for Managing Interactive and Generative Setups

Talk 3

Algorithmic Sound Design in TouchDesigner

This presentation focuses on algorithmic sound design based on digital signal processing (DSP) within TouchDesigner, exploring sound’s role in interactive installations, live performances, and immersive environments.

The emphasis is on dynamic auditory structures and responsive sound systems that create multisensory experiences in interaction with visual components.

Presenter: Babak Ikani

Babak Ikani (b. 2001) is an interactive developer and sound technology student. His work focuses on sonic structures, algorithmic systems, and responsive media. He is a co-founder of EncodeSpace.

Algorithmic Sound Design in TouchDesigner

Talk 4

Improvisation in TouchDesigner — How I Create my Imaginary World

This presentation explores a personal, experience-driven approach to creative development in TouchDesigner — rooted in direct observation, sensory awareness, and engagement with stories and sound textures.

Presenter: Amir Habibi

Amir Habibi (ETCH) is a creative technologist and media artist working with real-time systems, generative algorithms, and interactive experiences, including projects for Iran Telecom, Tehran Light Festival, iBBi, and Milad Tower.

Improvisation in TouchDesigner — How I Create my Imaginary World

Talk 5

CompEngine: Live Visual Production System for Large-Scale Concerts

This presentation introduces Comp Engine, commissioned by Mohsen Yeganeh for concert tours — designed for real-time visuals on live footage with fast, stable, reliable performance for professional productions.

Presenter: Morteza Ghahremanian

Morteza Ghahremanian has over 18 years of experience in graphic design, motion graphics, and real-time visual arts, bridging creativity and technology across brand identity, 3D animation, installations, and live AV performances.

CompEngine: Live Visual Production System for Large-Scale Concerts

Talk 6

Introducing PiKit — A Generative Design Toolkit Built Inside TouchDesigner

PiKit is an artist-friendly toolkit for real-time generative design in TouchDesigner — from layer-based compositing to parametric design workflows for artists at any skill level.

Pedram closed the presentation by sharing a QR code linking to the GitHub page of PiKit’s alpha release: github.com/pitheorem/PiKIT

Presenter: Pedram Sadegh-Beyki

Pedram Sadegh-Beyki has 14 years in animation/VFX and 9 years in creative coding and algorithm-based art. He co-founded Otaaared, focusing on education in computer arts.

Introducing PiKit — A Generative Design Toolkit Built Inside TouchDesigner

Talk 7

Interactive Lighting with TouchDesigner & WLED: Small-Scale Pixel Mapping with DIY Tools

This presentation explores TouchDesigner and WLED for small-scale pixel mapping. Using DIY hardware and a Wi-Fi router, live LED data is transmitted from TouchDesigner to addressable LED strips.

The session includes a live demo of an interactive lighting network using lights and a webcam to create a responsive visual experience.

Presenter: Parsa Jolani

Parsa Jolani entered the music event scene as a VJ with TouchDesigner, then expanded into electronics and custom control systems for event lighting and interactive installations.

Interactive Lighting with TouchDesigner & WLED: Small-Scale Pixel Mapping with DIY Tools

Partners and sponsors

Iran Computer Museum

The Iran Computer Museum is a space where the past and future meet — where the history of technology comes to life alongside human stories behind it.

By hosting the event and offering their unique space, the Iran Computer Museum played a valuable role in supporting this program.

Nava Media Jam

NavaMediaJam provides specialized services in LED displays, video mapping, lighting, professional sound, and visual/auditory experience design in Iran and the UAE.

We presented the openHDMI visual space with their LED wall support, where attendees showcased works at large scale with impressive quality.

Night King

Night King is an energy drink brand inspired by darkness, power, and the beauty of the unknown.

Night King supported this meetup and provided bananas, finger-food, and soft drinks for hospitality.

Otaaared

Otaaared is an educational collective active in contemporary computer-based arts, creative coding, generative, interactive, and immersive experiences.

Otaaared supported the event by offering a specialized workshop free of charge.

About us: ATG

The Art and Technology Group (ATG), founded by the Iranian Informatics Society, was established to educate, promote, and expand specialized knowledge and skills in technology related to art.

The group brings together enthusiasts and professionals from technology and art, hosting meetups and conferences, offering training, publishing specialized content, and contributing to the development of standards for technology-based arts in the region.

ATG executive team (from right to left)

Nasim Biyarjomandi — Event Coordinator, Talks Moderator
Narges Mostafallou — Sound Engineer
Morteza Ghahremanian — Event Coordinator, Talks Moderator
Ramin Alipour — Reception, Writer, Assistant
Saeid Khangheshlaghi — Reception, Social Media PR
Amir Habibi — openHDMI Moderator
Hasti Safari — Photographer, Videographer, Assistant
Parsa Jolani — Videographer
Pedram Sadegh Beyki — Event Organizer
Arman Hasanzadeh — Assistant
Iliya Ershami — Photographer

Thank you!

Art and Technology Group

Tehran, Iran

August, 2025