The Peter Cannings Memorial Award 2023

Peter Cannings was a pioneering Digital Design Lecturer at LCC from the mid 1980s until his death in 2012. The Peter Cannings Memorial Award recognises final year student work which carries on Peter’s pioneering legacy of innovation in digital design and digital media. The award itself is to the value of £500 and is open to all LCC Design School undergraduate students completing their final year. In addition to the prize money, the award winner receives ongoing help, networking contacts and mentoring opportunities.

This year, five BA GMD students were shortlisted for the Award (see links below) and the winner was GMD student, Caitríona McAllister with her project ‘Plastic Vortex’.

Plastic Vortex takes a deep dive into ocean plastics and marine debris caused by human negligence. The project is inspired by a NASA satellite data that tracks the movement of micro-plastics in a densely polluted area of the Pacific Ocean, also known as the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’.

This series of interactive visuals include an audio and motion reactive installation piece, supporting editorial and augmented reality animation. The aim of this project is to raise awareness of human impact and plastics upon our oceans. All materials used in the project consist of up-cycled mediums, with a focus on environmentally conscious practices.

The supporting editorial is provided to give more context to the installation piece and is made using recycled paper printed with Riso. The Riso system uses plant-based inks and stencils called masters, made from banana leaves. The publication offers an interactive AR element. Allowing audiences to experience the installation outside of the exhibit without increasing materials and waste.

The main installation piece is a collection of audio and motion responsive visuals made using Touch Designer. The audio is sourced from UK beaches such as Brighton and Margate. Proximity sensors around the piece track motion and disrupt the visuals. Audience interaction cause distortion with the projected content just as we have distorted nature with pollution”.

Video: https://youtu.be/fkb4OKBIzfI.   Instagram: @caitriona_mcallister

Shortlisted GMD students
Anisha Khelawon: https://the-art-of-mandalas-mp.glitch.me/
Xiangjun (Karena) Xu: https://showcase.gmdlcc.com/students/xiangjun-xu/
Xin Ai: https://xinaidesign.com/
Ziyi (Vivian) Yang: https://vivianziyiyang.cargo.site/