John is an HRF in FIMS, based in Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, formerly Reader in Computing Science University of Glasgow (2004-2006), SL 1996-2004) etc. He has been working on the technology of drawn animation since 1985 which started with a collaboration with the professional animator Lesley Keen, then with Cambridge Animation Systems (1990-1997 then 2001- 2002), CREATEC and the NFTS (1997-), EDM-LUC (now University of Hasselt, PAVR:1996-2001, RACINE-S, CUSTODIEV: 2002-present), Prof Philip Willis University of Bath (1990-present also CAS-ANIMAX 1993-7, PAVR:1996-2001 and EDM-UoH, AmaK, Cambridge Computer Lab 2006- present). Outside drawn animation he worked on displacement mapping in 3D rendering and on the implementation of graphics algorithms on accelerators (notably FPGAs).

From the 'CUSTODIEV period' onwards John has been developing a practice-led research model, which we call 'creative pull', for developing new technologies out of artist-technologist collaborations along with EDM and AmaK. While this has particular advantages in terms of participant motivation and its effectiveness at progressing development it faces problems of scalability when applied in a context such as that of a creative industry (industrial animation or commercial film effects).

Email: jwp AT dcs.gla.ac.uk