Mag Gingrich, Oliver ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1656-0032 and Watkins, Julie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8872-7041 (2026) Multicomponent output: Animations for Creative Health. University of Greenwich’s Centre for Creative Future, London, UK.

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Abstract

‘Animations for Creative Health’ is a participant-led interdisciplinary research project which brings together mark-making with your voice, mindfulness and animation to explore best participatory practices for creative health, being in the moment and reducing anxiety. This interdisciplinary project unites vocalisation, mark-making, mindfulness and animation as a contribution to reframing vocalisation and animation as processes rather than outputs to contribute to health and mental well-being. Digital participatory arts including humming have shown significant effects on social cohesion, social health and wellbeing (Gingrich et al 2024). Equally, studies have shown that mindful drawing can be significant in lowering stress Kaimal et al (2016) and aid mental resilience, self-awareness, and overall health (Van Lith et al, 2020). In this research, we are looking at two areas: (1) Mindful drawing is expanded through stop-frame animation to become time-based mindful animation and digital interfaces for transposing mark-making into sound. Participatory and Mindful Animation are little researched areas. (2) The second strand focuses on vocalisation, humming animation and digital interfaces for participatory co-creation. A createch digital interface for drawing with your voice is being created; (3) Together, this research is creating an original methodology, a multi-modal synthesis of the synergies between these two interaction designs, significantly bridging the duality of eye and ear and situating these practices within a creative health context. Significantly, music and visual arts are within the high growth subsectors identified in the government industrial strategy and the 10-year Health plan. This research project is developed as original createch, combining creative participatory innovation and cutting-edge technology to generate new embodied experiences. Furthermore, its significance lies in addressing real-life issues, emphasising the de-stressing health benefits. The project benefits young people, and community groups through the provision of new accessible creative health interfaces. The research contributes to a national discourse around digital participatory creative health interfaces for public health. This rigorous research has been supported by seed funding from the University of Greenwich’s Centre for Creative Future whilst wider funding is applied for.

Item Type:	Other
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Participatory Art, Creative Health, animations, mindfulness, embodiment, digital gesture, voice, mark-making
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > Centre for Creative Futures Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Design and Creative Industries
Last Modified:	19 May 2026 15:26
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/53485

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