I am a Brighton-based designer and researcher.
My work spans spatial design, philosophy and illustration. I'm interested in the psychology of space, cognitive science of visual perception, and the interplay between art and science, text and image, experiment and knowledge.
I trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, specialising in designing immersive productions and for participatory projects. I have worked on touring productions at the Minack Theatre, Cornwall; designed sets, costumes and puppets for productions at the Arcola, Finborough, Jerwood Space, Stratford Circus and Polka Theatre. I have experience in developing new work as part of the companies and collectives: Flock theatre makers; Shapeshifter; Little Wonder; and, Playground Studios. I'm primarily interested in devised work, or work which challenges the traditional form of text-based productions.
I hold postgraduate research degrees in philosophy and cognitive science from The University of Edinburgh and Birkbeck College. My thesis argued that diagrams in science offer a richer and more complex embodiment of scientific concepts than is possible in text alone. I've been developing these ideas in my creative practice; designing an art installation that is an exploration of spatial perception. My other academic interests include early-modern philosophy of science, theories of explanation, the evolution of cognition and philosophy of physics.
Active projects include: a visual novel about Prussian Blue and its application in art, chemistry and technology, and; two short comics exploring the role of text-image relations in storytelling. I have recently finished a music and puppet theatre piece for children based on a story book - There's a Tiger in the Garden (Lizzy Stewart).
I'm also involved in a photography charity, Rebecca Vassie Trust which I co-founded following the sudden death of my sister in 2015. We support the art of long-form narrative photography, and promote education in and through photography for emerging professionals, young people and the broader public. We're currently fundraising for visual storytelling workshops in inner-city schools and donations are welcome!