[typomatic]

> Of course I know effort is probably not a valid criteria but still, it's sometimes hard not to see what appears to be low-effort generative art as barely more than the random dot/line/rectangle exercise most programmers do early in their learning.

You aren't making art because art does require effort. You have to put some thought into the product you want and then work towards it and make the thing that feels right to you.

If you never have an emotional connection to your work, it's no wonder you don't feel like you haven't made art, because you haven't.

This isn't to be mean. You could easily begin to make art, by creating your works with an eye towards purpose or feeling and demanding that what you make satisfies you. Then you'll be making art. But pointless generative stuff is just doodling, as you think. It'd be the same with a pen and paper as it is with code.