The Perspective Research Centre brings together research on visual, optical, and technical perspective across art, science, technology, imaging, and spatial representation.
Our research is concerned with how space is seen, represented, measured, transformed, and understood. This includes the study of perspective systems, optical design, visual interfaces, imaging instruments, 3D representation, curvilinear projection, and the classification of perspective across different disciplines.
The projects presented here illustrate several strands of this work, including optical modelling software, 3D visualisation interfaces, and optical systems designed to alter the way images appear in space. Together, they show how perspective is not only a historical or artistic subject, but also a practical field of research and development with applications in optics, computing, imaging, design, and visual technology.
Global-Opt
GlobalOpt was an optical-modelling and lens-design system developed between 1990 and 2015.
It was designed for the analytical exploration of optical systems, including lenses and cameras. The software allowed designers to explore optical design space in a highly visual and interactive way, using real-time parameter adjustment and graphical feedback to analyse aberrations and identify possible design solutions.
A distinctive feature of GlobalOpt was its emphasis on live visual interaction. Rather than treating optical design only as a numerical optimisation problem, it allowed the designer to see how changes in parameters affected the behaviour of the system. This made it possible to explore optical solutions that might be missed by more automatic or purely numerical methods.
The project forms part of the PRC’s wider interest in optical perspective, imaging systems, and the visualisation of complex spatial and technical information.
Spectasia
Spectasia was a 3D visual-interface project developed between 2003 and 2009.
It explored the use of curvilinear perspective as a method for visualising and navigating large collections of digital objects. By using an expanded, wide-field form of visual representation, Spectasia allowed users to maintain both focus and context while browsing complex information spaces.
The system was developed as a full application for Windows and Mac platforms, using approximately 40,000 lines of Java code. At its height, it received international attention and had more than 80,000 downloads or users.
Spectasia is relevant to the study of perspective because it applies curvilinear projection not as an artistic effect, but as a practical method of information organisation, visual search, navigation, and spatial interface design.
Hologram Mirror
The Hologram Mirror is an optical invention designed to produce a three-dimensional image that appears to float in space in front of the mirror surface.
Unlike an ordinary plane mirror, which forms a virtual image behind the mirror and includes much of the surrounding background, the Hologram Mirror uses an arrangement of reflective surfaces to form a more isolated, life-sized, three-dimensional image of the subject.
The invention is relevant to the PRC’s research because it concerns optical image formation, spatial appearance, reflection, depth perception, and the relationship between physical optical systems and perceived visual space.
The Hologram Mirror was granted patent protection and has potential applications in cosmetic, medical, and visual-display contexts.
Here are links to the > Patent Application → (1.6 MB PDF) and > Specification → (1.3 MB PDF).
Related Perspective Topics
Perspective Research →
Perspective Category Theory →
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Types of Perspective →
Science
of Perspective →
Functions of Perspective →
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