Deep Visuals Ltd, based in Cambridge, was spun out of Kodak European Research Labs which closed in June 2009. They specialise in the production of unique systems for browsing image collections. Last July they developed an ingenious technology for browsing digital photo collections. Fundamentally a technology-based company, Deep Visuals were keen to add some focussed design skills to improve the user interface of the application and also to update the company website. This opened the door for a 10 month shorter Knowledge Transfer Partnership (sKTP) being run between the Faculty of Art Law and Social Sciences and Deep Visuals. A novel new system for browsing digital photo collections aimed firstly at museums and art galleries is now ready for the market, a product of 10 Months hard work from all involved.

Julio d'Escrivan of the Department of Music and Performing Arts has been intimately involved with the project, providing his own expertise and acting as mentor to Daniel Richards, the graduate associate who has been working at Deep Visuals. As well as adding design elements to the user interface, their input to virtually all aspects of the application has been significant. After an initial period spent on market research, a prototype was developed and ultimately a final design was developed and implemented.

Julio states, "The sKTP with Deep Visuals has been a unique opportunity for me as an academic to understand better the commercial value of aesthetic choices and creativity aided by technology. Working with our associate Dan has helped me make the process of imagining-implementing a more transparent one. It was interesting to see how such a developed application like the ViziQuest semantic browser could be further enhanced by working on the user experience under the collaborative direction from Alan Paine and Peter Fry at Deep Visuals."

For Deep Visuals, a high-impact and stylish website is vitally important and Dan's skills in website design and implementation have been critical. Alan Payne, the Managing Director of Deep Visuals saird: "The combined efforts of Dan and Julio have made a big difference to our core collection browsing application and to our on-line presence". Alan also thanked Anglia Ruskin University for such a "positive and fruitful engagement," and for our "effective programme management." As a result of Anglia Ruskin University playing such a positive role, Dan has been offered an extended contract after proving to be "a great asset to the company and the programme."

Dan Richards said, "At Deep Visuals my primary work has been as a web developer and designer. I'm lucky enough to have worked with coding, to cloud-computing, and have had a chance to exercise my creativity."

KTP manager David Firth also felt that the project had been a huge success: "As a result of this programme Deep Visuals should see a marked increase in income over the next 12 months. The outstanding results achieved in this project are a testament to the hard work of Deep Visuals, the associate, the academic staff involved and those in the KTP office."

For more information please contact David Firth, KTP Manager

Go back to the index page