Gillian Smith
@codingcrafter.bsky.social
Director of IMGD at WPI. Game design, generative AI, computational craft, generative design, feminist tech, mom stories. she/they
#genuary5: write "genuary" and avoid using a font
Handwritten text used as a mask when generating surrounding shapes. (Looks a bit like a colorblindness test, especially when I make "genuary" green!)
A fun, quick sketch that also made me want to draw with my iPad more often.
#genuary #p5js
Handwritten text used as a mask when generating surrounding shapes. (Looks a bit like a colorblindness test, especially when I make "genuary" green!)
A fun, quick sketch that also made me want to draw with my iPad more often.
#genuary #p5js
January 6, 2026 at 1:32 AM
New Year’s Day with my husband’s great uncle. He is 101 years old and has lived in the same farmhouse in Central MA for 100 years.
His granddaughter found a ledger from the farm’s old creamery covering 1895-87. It has absolutely perfect penmanship and later became a kids’ sketchbook. I love it.
His granddaughter found a ledger from the farm’s old creamery covering 1895-87. It has absolutely perfect penmanship and later became a kids’ sketchbook. I love it.
January 2, 2026 at 12:45 AM
New Year’s Day with my husband’s great uncle. He is 101 years old and has lived in the same farmhouse in Central MA for 100 years.
His granddaughter found a ledger from the farm’s old creamery covering 1895-87. It has absolutely perfect penmanship and later became a kids’ sketchbook. I love it.
His granddaughter found a ledger from the farm’s old creamery covering 1895-87. It has absolutely perfect penmanship and later became a kids’ sketchbook. I love it.
Reposted by Gillian Smith
🥳 Welcome to the Public Domain: creative works from 1930 & sound recordings published in 1925! Duke Law's Center for the Study of the Public Domain has highlighted some of the most anticipated works entering the #publicdomain in 2026!
More ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
@dukelaw.bsky.social
More ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
@dukelaw.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 5:02 AM
🥳 Welcome to the Public Domain: creative works from 1930 & sound recordings published in 1925! Duke Law's Center for the Study of the Public Domain has highlighted some of the most anticipated works entering the #publicdomain in 2026!
More ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
@dukelaw.bsky.social
More ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
@dukelaw.bsky.social
Reposted by Gillian Smith
Back in 2019 I took a class about procedural generation in game design and made a really cool LED board project that I promptly misplaced before I was able to hang it up. For the holidays this year I decided to buy myself the parts to build an upgraded version of it!
December 31, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Back in 2019 I took a class about procedural generation in game design and made a really cool LED board project that I promptly misplaced before I was able to hang it up. For the holidays this year I decided to buy myself the parts to build an upgraded version of it!
Reposted by Gillian Smith
I read this article every time I see it.
see, the only things I know about it is in this article about this guy's stupid horse that everyone hates
www.polygon.com/2019/2/28/18...
www.polygon.com/2019/2/28/18...
Everyone hates my big stupid horse in Red Dead Online
He is my friend
www.polygon.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:04 AM
I read this article every time I see it.
Reposted by Gillian Smith
By any reasonable historical standard — including that of the technology industry! — ChatGPT should be pulled from the market and its product managers and executives held accountable for creating a product that ROUTINELY tells teens to kill themselves. This is a basic, common sense standard.
December 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
By any reasonable historical standard — including that of the technology industry! — ChatGPT should be pulled from the market and its product managers and executives held accountable for creating a product that ROUTINELY tells teens to kill themselves. This is a basic, common sense standard.
Reposted by Gillian Smith
Remember:
When Tylenol was poisoned *by an outsider* and killed people, the company recalled all their products & redesigned them.
When Intel’s Pentium had a bug so obscure it affected 1 in _9 billion_ long division calculations, they recalled their chips.
ChatGPT was made deadly *by its team*.
When Tylenol was poisoned *by an outsider* and killed people, the company recalled all their products & redesigned them.
When Intel’s Pentium had a bug so obscure it affected 1 in _9 billion_ long division calculations, they recalled their chips.
ChatGPT was made deadly *by its team*.
i don’t see how any of the benefits of chatgpt and other consumer-facing LLMs can possibly outweigh their incredible ability to induce suicides
Adam Raine’s life hurtled toward tragedy soon after he began talking with ChatGPT about homework. Analysis of his ChatGPT account shows how the chatbot became a confidant as he planned to end his life.
December 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Remember:
When Tylenol was poisoned *by an outsider* and killed people, the company recalled all their products & redesigned them.
When Intel’s Pentium had a bug so obscure it affected 1 in _9 billion_ long division calculations, they recalled their chips.
ChatGPT was made deadly *by its team*.
When Tylenol was poisoned *by an outsider* and killed people, the company recalled all their products & redesigned them.
When Intel’s Pentium had a bug so obscure it affected 1 in _9 billion_ long division calculations, they recalled their chips.
ChatGPT was made deadly *by its team*.
Reposted by Gillian Smith
I think this is a really important point. When folks say "no AI" they often don’t mean "I can conceive of no possible use for AI"—they mean "the use cases I’ve been shown do not begin to justify the harms"—that’s not something you respond to by offering another narrow use case
So when I say there is *zero* utility for LLMs, I don't mean there are zero use cases. I mean there are zero use cases that even begin to make up for the damage that's being done.
December 22, 2025 at 9:15 PM
I think this is a really important point. When folks say "no AI" they often don’t mean "I can conceive of no possible use for AI"—they mean "the use cases I’ve been shown do not begin to justify the harms"—that’s not something you respond to by offering another narrow use case
Reposted by Gillian Smith
YEAAH GENUARY 2026⋆˚꩜.ᐟ.ᐟ genuary.art
GENUARY is the most GENERATIVE (creative code based) ART month of the entire universe // There are 31 creative coding prompts for you to play with for daily challenge // beepboop // please enjoy // time travelers welcome
#genartclub #generative #creativecoding
GENUARY is the most GENERATIVE (creative code based) ART month of the entire universe // There are 31 creative coding prompts for you to play with for daily challenge // beepboop // please enjoy // time travelers welcome
#genartclub #generative #creativecoding
December 16, 2025 at 11:30 AM
YEAAH GENUARY 2026⋆˚꩜.ᐟ.ᐟ genuary.art
GENUARY is the most GENERATIVE (creative code based) ART month of the entire universe // There are 31 creative coding prompts for you to play with for daily challenge // beepboop // please enjoy // time travelers welcome
#genartclub #generative #creativecoding
GENUARY is the most GENERATIVE (creative code based) ART month of the entire universe // There are 31 creative coding prompts for you to play with for daily challenge // beepboop // please enjoy // time travelers welcome
#genartclub #generative #creativecoding
Reposted by Gillian Smith
“School officials have created a Microsoft Copilot prompt to review course descriptions with an eye toward avoiding ‘advocacy-oriented or prescriptive terms.’”
Terms: “dismantling, decolonizing, interrogating, challenging, centering, combating, liberation, resistance, activism, justice oriented”
Terms: “dismantling, decolonizing, interrogating, challenging, centering, combating, liberation, resistance, activism, justice oriented”
To Root Out Wokeness in the Course Catalog, This Texas University Is Turning to AI
“The AI was upset with my use of the phrase ‘women's rights movement.’”
www.texasmonthly.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:42 PM
“School officials have created a Microsoft Copilot prompt to review course descriptions with an eye toward avoiding ‘advocacy-oriented or prescriptive terms.’”
Terms: “dismantling, decolonizing, interrogating, challenging, centering, combating, liberation, resistance, activism, justice oriented”
Terms: “dismantling, decolonizing, interrogating, challenging, centering, combating, liberation, resistance, activism, justice oriented”
Last December, a student came into my AI-Based Experience Design class excited about his prototype. It didn't use AI in any way but he was inspired by critical AI literacy. He wanted to explore mechanics where meaning and form are divorced.
Fast forward a year, and his demo released on Steam today!
Fast forward a year, and his demo released on Steam today!
A Color Theory on Steam
A Trippy Puzzle-Platformer That Literally Plays with Color
store.steampowered.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Last December, a student came into my AI-Based Experience Design class excited about his prototype. It didn't use AI in any way but he was inspired by critical AI literacy. He wanted to explore mechanics where meaning and form are divorced.
Fast forward a year, and his demo released on Steam today!
Fast forward a year, and his demo released on Steam today!
Reposted by Gillian Smith
Love this video walkthrough of GIS crochet! #DHmakes
#30DayMapChallenge Day 23: Process 🧵🗺️
Today’s post is less about the final map and more about how it came to be. Turning soil lead concentration data into a field of crocheted hexagons.
Data sources: GNS Science Report 2023/23 & LINZ
Today’s post is less about the final map and more about how it came to be. Turning soil lead concentration data into a field of crocheted hexagons.
Data sources: GNS Science Report 2023/23 & LINZ
November 26, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Love this video walkthrough of GIS crochet! #DHmakes
Reposted by Gillian Smith
I was asked to supply a title for my December talk at Stanford. I've settled on: "Nobody Wants This: Please Stop Ruining Everything."
November 13, 2025 at 2:06 AM
I was asked to supply a title for my December talk at Stanford. I've settled on: "Nobody Wants This: Please Stop Ruining Everything."
Reposted by Gillian Smith
very excited to share this story about an emerging video game genre: games that live on bottom of your desktop screen. my first story in the NYT, featuring @mistermorrisgames.bsky.social, @toadzillart.itch.io, and more!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/a...
These Video Games Want Only Some of Your Attention
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
very excited to share this story about an emerging video game genre: games that live on bottom of your desktop screen. my first story in the NYT, featuring @mistermorrisgames.bsky.social, @toadzillart.itch.io, and more!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/a...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/a...
Reposted by Gillian Smith
Proud papa moment: my son J published a letter in the @nytimes.com today (in print tomorrow) on the need to think our definitions of autism.
October 18, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Proud papa moment: my son J published a letter in the @nytimes.com today (in print tomorrow) on the need to think our definitions of autism.
Reposted by Gillian Smith
The OTHER project at CDPR's Boston studio is hiring a Lead Writer. (FT, onsite preferred) Come work with a very chill and creative team on Project Sirius ✨️
jobs.smartrecruiters.com/CDPROJEKTRED...
jobs.smartrecruiters.com/CDPROJEKTRED...
Lead Writer
Company Description: To create revolutionary, story-driven RPGs which go straight to the hearts of gamers — this is our mission. Want to dive deeper into our company’s culture? Explore our social medi...
jobs.smartrecruiters.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The OTHER project at CDPR's Boston studio is hiring a Lead Writer. (FT, onsite preferred) Come work with a very chill and creative team on Project Sirius ✨️
jobs.smartrecruiters.com/CDPROJEKTRED...
jobs.smartrecruiters.com/CDPROJEKTRED...
We're hiring!! WPI IMGD seeks a new Assistant Teaching Professor to support and grow our multidisciplinary, project-based curriculum in technical and design areas of our undergrad (BS, BA) and graduate (MS, MFA, PhD) degrees.
More details here: wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/WPI_External...
More details here: wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/WPI_External...
Assistant Teaching Professor
JOB TITLE Assistant Teaching Professor LOCATION Worcester DEPARTMENT NAME Interactive Media & Game Development - IMGD DIVISION NAME Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY In...
wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:59 PM
We're hiring!! WPI IMGD seeks a new Assistant Teaching Professor to support and grow our multidisciplinary, project-based curriculum in technical and design areas of our undergrad (BS, BA) and graduate (MS, MFA, PhD) degrees.
More details here: wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/WPI_External...
More details here: wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/WPI_External...
Reposted by Gillian Smith
Friendly Reminder: If you're planning to apply to the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant, you have until 23:59 PST TODAY to get your application in ⏰‼️
grants.draknek.org
grants.draknek.org
September 28, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Friendly Reminder: If you're planning to apply to the Draknek New Voices Puzzle Grant, you have until 23:59 PST TODAY to get your application in ⏰‼️
grants.draknek.org
grants.draknek.org
Reposted by Gillian Smith
The "using AI to generate concept art early in the process to quickly iterate ideas" thing is so absurd to me because like. You don't know what concept art is. You don't know what concept art *does*.
August 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The "using AI to generate concept art early in the process to quickly iterate ideas" thing is so absurd to me because like. You don't know what concept art is. You don't know what concept art *does*.
Reposted by Gillian Smith
I'll admit, I was skeptical when they said Gemini was just like a bunch of PhDs. But I gotta admit they nailed it.
August 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
I'll admit, I was skeptical when they said Gemini was just like a bunch of PhDs. But I gotta admit they nailed it.
Reposted by Gillian Smith
Reminder that the best conference for understanding generative systems, and how people play them, is full of kind people, online and you can go to it.
We have a preview event on September 7, 2025 at 3 PM Pacific! Tickets are free here:
ti.to/roguelike-ce...
ti.to/roguelike-ce...
Roguelike Celebration: Preview Event 2025
Roguelike games have been part of gaming culture for over 30 years and they have a deep and special place in our hearts. We'd love to get to spend some time with you all learning about roguelikes and ...
ti.to
August 16, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Reminder that the best conference for understanding generative systems, and how people play them, is full of kind people, online and you can go to it.