Andrea McSwan

This thesis introduces the advanced capabilities of 3D animation and haptic film technology to help facilitate the communication between the blind and the sighted. 

Blind experiences are complicated and supportive mechanisms are required to help shape sighted people's understanding of sightlessness. This thesis introduces the advanced capabilities of 3D animation and haptic film technology to help facilitate the communication between the blind and the sighted. It will ask several related questions:

• In what ways can 3D animation give a new voice and film language to the blind?
• How can animation represent the perceptual-experiences of the blind and be a support mechanism to break down visual barriers?
• How can 3D animation be used to replicate abstract interpretations of sight loss?

Using contemporary advances in virtual and augmented reality, sound-to-image conversion and haptic‘touch’feedback, this project will harness the advanced capabilities of 3D animation and demonstrate how it can represent the perceptual-experiences of the blind and break down visual barriers.

Names of Supervisors: Fraser Bruce and Dr Caroline Erolin