Staff

Gary Gowans BDes Hons, MISTD

Course Director, Graphic Design

Tel: 01382 388273
Email: g.m.gowans@dundee.ac.uk
Top floor, Crawford Building, DJCAD
13 Perth Road DD1 4HT

Biography

Gary Gowans is a Senior Lecturer and Course Director in Graphic Design,. He is also a Founding Director of ‘CIRCA Connect Ltd’, a University ‘start-up’ company that designs computer-based systems and provides training consultation to support people living with dementia. In the past 15 years he has worked with various partners including Polygram International, Children’s ITV, the Ministry of Defence, the Imperial War Museum, the RAF and Canongate Publishers.

For the past 10 years his research has focused on the design of computer-based systems to support communication, and provide engaging pastimes, for people living with dementia. The publication of his work has led to conference presentations from London, Barcelona and Vienna to Kyoto and Melbourne. He was an invited speaker at the IAGG Conference Paris 2009. He is also a member of, and external examiner with, the International Society of Typographic Designers and was appointed to their Education Committee in 2011.

Research Projects

(1) My current work focuses primarely on establishing our team’s research (computer-based technology to support people living with dementia) in the commercial sector. With the founding of CIRCA Connect Ltd we aim to consolidate our position as the leading exponent in technology-led products and services that help to promote best practice in dementia care environments. Extensive work has been undertaken to foster relationships and secure license agreements with some of the most significant media providers and archival institutions in the UK. We are currently releasing a second iteration ‘beta’ version of the product in care homes in London and the home counties, and progressing discussions with potential investors.

(2) ‘Canongate History’: Creation of short animated history of Canongate Books for the Canongate Archive at UoD. Commissioned as part of the Dundee Literary Festival 2010

(3) ‘The Means by Which We Find Our Way’. International academic project with small chapter in book and attendant print exhibition that toured Australia and US