Apps, animations and other ground-breaking innovations

With the 2015 Media Innovation Awards nearly upon us, we decided to delve a bit deeper into some of the exciting projects which have been nominated.

‘Together for Short Lives’ is one of the three ‘Animation’ nominees, produced by Bristol based company Hurricane Media.

This powerful animation was made for leading UK charity Together For Short Lives. By interviewing parents of children who have a life limiting condition prior to making the film, the company gained a real insight into impact it has on a family.

The result is a moving animation which follows the story of a couple who discover that their baby will be born with a life-limiting condition. The film recognises that even though there is no cure, with help and support the family can enjoy a happy life together, no matter how short. Take a look at Hurricane Media’s ‘Together For Short Lives’ animation here: http://bit.ly/1GD193L

One of the three App nominations went to Calvium Ltd for their intuitive, reliable and easy to use indoor wayfinding App, UCAN GO, which was co-designed with UCAN Productions.

The App allows visitors to find their way around a building and although it is aimed at visually impaired customers, the app can be used by anyone.

The routing feature lets you choose a destination and gives you step by step instructions, with photos along the way, so you know you exactly where you are. Taking into account your preferences, means that the app will use a route that meets your needs. For example, if you stated that you are unable to use the stairs, the app will direct you on a wheelchair accessible route.

With content, instructions and points of reference all decided and produced by visually impaired young people, the app effectively meets the needs of other visually impaired people and improves accessibility. Find out more about the UCAN GO app at: http://bit.ly/1LeksCt

There are three projects nominated in the branding category, one of which is Plymouth’s very own What’s On App for culture, Artory.

This ground-breaking app was produced by Elixel, i-DAT, Plymouth Art Centre and partner organisations to measure the quality of cultural experiences through audience feedback and metrics. To make the app stand out in venues and on the app store, the app needed an identity. Artory’s logomark was designed by Nathan Gale from Intercity, the partners developed the messaging and Elixel brought it all together in the app designs.

Artory as a name was created when combining art and directory (a seemingly flavourless term), to symbolise the cultural lifeblood of the city. The logomark displays coloured veins in the form of an A, each one representing the different types of cultural events. These same colours are used in the app to identify the different event categories. This methodical and carefully considered brand gives the app an identity, aids usability and engages its users. The app received national coverage in The Guardian and has even gained interest from cities as far afield as Vancouver, New York and Qatar.

To find out more about this innovative app, visit: http://bit.ly/1G75RLY

‘Remember a Day’, composed by artist Alexis Kirke in collaboration with Doreen Abbott who lives with dementia, is one of the three projects nominated for the Installation/Exhibition/Live Event category.

Alexis is a member of the Plymouth University Dementia Group (PUDG) and met Doreen Abbott at the Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘Singing for the Brain’ support group. Although there has been research into how familiar music can be used to help people with dementia to recall memories, Alexis was determined to find out if music could be used to remember new information.

Alexis set Doreen’s daily plan to musical jingles to help her remember her medication and other tasks on her to do list. Scored for soprano, cello, and electronics, the project also used phone number memory-jingles that replaced digits with note pitches to help Doreen remember new phone numbers. The tunes and the words were sent to Doreen for her tablet, and just a few weeks later she was able to recall them both, even in high pressure situations. This inspirational piece of research demonstrates how music and technology can be used in a new and exciting way and even improve people’s lives.

The 12 winning projects will be announced at the awards party hosted by BBC South West's Sam Smith on Thursday 26 November, 6-9pm, where they will receive a coveted Media Innovation Award.

Adrian Emerson, Chair of the Media Innovation Network said:

“We are really excited about the MIA and have been fascinated by both the quality and the variety of the entries this year, which once again shows what exceptional talent we he have working in the region - should be great night!”

Everyone is invited to join in with the celebrations, which will be held in Plymouth University’s state of the art performing arts centre, The House, (Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA).

Tickets cost just £25 and include a welcome drink, entertainment and a chance to mingle with experts and leaders in digital and traditional media. To book your tickets, visit www.mediainnovationawards.com/registration.aspx