Algorithmic Art: Turn Ideas into Unique Generative Visuals

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Official Anthropic skill on GitHub

Summary

You need a distinctive visual for your brand, presentation, or product. Stock images feel generic. Hiring an illustrator takes weeks. You don't have time to learn Processing or p5.js.

Instead, describe what you want. Claude writes the code, runs it, and hands you a one-of-a-kind visual that no one else has—in minutes, not weeks.

Stop settling for stock. Start generating originals.

Geometric Patterns on Demand

Describe "hexagonal tessellation with a gradient from navy to gold" and get exactly that. Claude generates clean SVG or canvas code you can scale infinitely without pixelation.

Procedural Animations

Want flowing particles, morphing shapes, or generative backgrounds? Describe the motion. Claude writes smooth, performant JavaScript animations ready for your website or presentation.

Data-Driven Visuals

Feed in your numbers—sales figures, user metrics, survey results—and Claude transforms them into abstract visualizations that are both beautiful and meaningful.

Pros

  • Get unique visuals no stock library can provide—every output is original
  • Create infinitely scalable SVGs and resolution-independent graphics
  • Generate animated backgrounds that run smoothly on any modern browser
  • Transform boring data into abstract visualizations for reports and presentations
  • No design software or coding knowledge required—describe and receive
  • Iterate in seconds instead of going back-and-forth with designers for days

Cons

  • Photorealistic images are outside scope—this skill creates abstract, geometric, and procedural art
  • Highly complex animations may need performance optimization for older devices
  • Brand-critical work benefits from review by a professional designer for final polish

How to Use Algorithmic Art Skill

Skill command:
1

Install the Skill

Download the skill file directly, or install via the plugin marketplace. Skills auto-activate when relevant—no manual invocation needed.

Option 1: Direct Download
curl -o .claude/skills/algorithmic-art.md https://raw.githubusercontent.com/anthropics/skills/main/skills/algorithmic-art/SKILL.md
Option 2: Plugin Marketplace
/plugin marketplace add anthropics/skills
/plugin install example-skills@anthropic-agent-skills
2

Describe Your Vision

Be specific about mood, colors, and style. "Abstract geometric pattern" is okay. "Overlapping circles in earth tones with subtle noise texture, Art Deco influenced" is better.

Example Prompt
Create a generative pattern inspired by Islamic geometric art. Use deep teal and burnished gold. I need it for a luxury brand presentation.
3

Choose Your Output Format

Tell Claude where this will live. Website background? Print asset? Social media post? The format affects how Claude structures the code.

Example Prompt
Make it an SVG I can use as a hero background. It should tile seamlessly and work at any resolution.
4

Iterate on the Design

Claude generates the code and shows you the result. Ask for adjustments—more density, different colors, added animation. Each iteration takes seconds.

Example Prompt
The pattern is too busy. Reduce the element count by half and add more negative space. Keep the gold but make the teal darker.
5

Export and Use

Copy the final code into your project or export the rendered visual. SVGs paste directly into Figma. Animated code drops into any web project.

Example Prompts

Real-world scenarios showing how to use Algorithmic Art effectively

Scenario: Exploring style directions before committing

Your Prompt

Before we build the full artwork, show me 4 different algorithmic art styles for a fintech annual report cover. Give each a name and a quick visual preview—I want to pick a direction first.

Expected Outcome

Claude generates 4 distinct style cards (e.g., "Flow Field Finance", "Crystalline Data", "Organic Networks", "Precision Grid") with mini previews showing color palette and pattern structure.

Scenario: Creating a unique brand pattern

Your Prompt

Generate a seamless geometric pattern for our wellness brand. Colors: sage green, cream, and terracotta. Style: organic geometry—think mid-century modern meets natural forms. Output as tileable SVG.

Expected Outcome

Claude produces a seamless SVG pattern with the specified colors and aesthetic, ready to tile across backgrounds, packaging, or print materials.

Scenario: Building an animated website background

Your Prompt

Create a subtle animated background for a SaaS landing page. Floating particles that drift slowly, connect with faint lines when close, and react gently to mouse movement. Dark theme. Performance matters—this runs on every page load.

Expected Outcome

Claude generates optimized JavaScript/canvas code for a performant particle animation with mouse interactivity, ready to drop into any web project.

Scenario: Visualizing company data artistically

Your Prompt

I have quarterly revenue data for 8 product lines over 3 years. Turn this into an abstract radial visualization—like a data-driven mandala. Each product line is a ring, quarters are segments, revenue maps to segment size. Use our brand colors: #1a365d, #2b6cb0, #63b3ed.

Expected Outcome

Claude creates a unique radial visualization where the data drives the form, producing a visual that is both an artwork and an accurate representation of the numbers.

Scenario: Generating presentation visuals

Your Prompt

Create 5 abstract section divider graphics for a keynote presentation on AI in healthcare. Each should feel cohesive but distinct. Style: minimalist, flowing lines, medical blue palette. Export as high-res PNGs.

Expected Outcome

Claude generates 5 related but unique abstract graphics with flowing, organic line work in blues, sized for presentation slides.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is generative visual art created through code rather than traditional drawing. Claude writes the algorithms that produce patterns, animations, and abstract visuals based on your description. Every piece is unique and mathematically defined.
No. Describe what you want in plain English—colors, mood, style, purpose. Claude writes all the code. You only need to paste the output where you want to use it.
SVG for scalable graphics, HTML/CSS/JavaScript for web animations, canvas code for complex visuals, and exported PNGs or other raster formats when needed. Tell Claude where you plan to use it and the format follows.
AI image generators create raster images from prompts. Claude Code algorithmic art creates code-based visuals—infinitely scalable, editable, animatable, and fully transparent in how they work. You own the algorithm, not just the output.
Yes. The code Claude generates is yours to use. There are no licensing concerns like with some stock imagery or AI-generated content from other platforms.
A simple pattern takes under a minute. Complex animated pieces with iteration typically take 10-20 minutes. Data-driven visualizations depend on how much refinement you want.

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