Journal Articles

2023

See ZS, Matthews B, Day J, Carroll N, McGrath J, Amin M, ‘Inclusive virtual simulation space: Digital technologies and design thinking process’, Virtual Creativity, 13 49-67 (2023) [C1]

This article demonstrates a case study in research-creation based on the extended reality (XR) placemaking initiative, and reports on the development of two iterations that are part of a digital technologies (DT) project. Various studies with a focus on restorative and relaxation applications have shown positive findings in improving mental wellness and self-awareness. We speculate that combining physical activity and exposure to digital nature can provide additional health benefits compared to restorative activities alone. The first iteration, Mind Space XR, is a virtual reality (VR) project that has the initial goal of supporting users to experience emotion-focused skills training based on mindfulness, emotion regulation and compassion in a low-risk environment. In this iteration of the DT project, we have focused on interaction design aspects and the research-creation process required to develop the information architecture framework of an early prototype. This ongoing research then informs the development of a second iteration, the ‘inclusive virtual simulation space’ ¿ a VR learning simulation initiative that supports users to experience customizable content in an inclusive environment. Combining Australian Curriculum areas from DT and the humanities and social sciences, this study will experiment with the human¿computer interaction process with the goal of configuring a modular high-fidelity virtual environment to achieve perceived ease of use by user groups including creators, educators and students. This will lead to a proof-of-concept platform with the flexibility to integrate digital content that permits the co-creation of digital prototypes driven by inclusive virtual and physical placemaking and simulation learning. This educational inclusive virtual simulation project focuses on experimenting with and introducing education technology and XR skills and knowledge to educators and creators, which is broadly applicable to education-based DT contexts.

DOI: 10.1386/vcr_00074_1

Co-authors: Ben Matthews

2020

McGrath J, Gidney M, ‘Story Prospecting: The Value of Outdoor Field Research in Animation Pedagogy’, Animationstudies 2.0, (2020)

Conferences

2024

McGrath J, ‘Miniaturised Materialities: Traces of Animation’s Physical Past’, Miniaturised Materialities: Traces of Animation’s Physical Past, Zagreb, Croatia (2024)

2024

McGrath J, ‘Miniature Materialities: How the very small can help us understand our world’, Sydney, Australia (2024)

2024

Gidney M, McGrath J, See ZS, ‘The Dining Car: Experiments with Retinal Rivalry in Virtual Reality’, Peer Review Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices, Newcastle, Australia (2024) [E1]

DOI: 10.18848/978-1-963049-18-3/cgp/39-43 

2024

Drummond J, Minichiello M, Egglestone P, Wright R, McGrath J, Scott N, et al., ”House We Build’: Design Communication and Urban Planning’, Peer Review Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices, Newcastle, N.S.W (Virtual) (2024) [E1]

DOI: 10.18848/978-1-963049-18-3/CGP

Co-authors: Nathan ScottJon DrummondRalph Kenke

2023

McGrath J, ‘Miniature Atmospheres: Capturing a Stop Motion City’, Miniature Atmospheres: Capturing a Stop Motion City, Caldas Da Rainha (2023) [C1]

2023

McGrath J, ‘Title: The Miniature in Motion: expanding the screen’, Rowan University, USA (2023)

2020

McGrath J, ‘Animated Anxieties: Apocalypse as both warning and desire’, Zagreb, Croatia (2020)

2020

Robards A, Gidney M, McGrath J, ‘Seeing is Believing: Splitting the Animated Space into Left and Right Hemispheres’, Newcastle, NSW, Australia (2020)

2019

McGrath J, Andrew R, ‘Exploring the physicality of the cinematic space through miniatures’, University Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias in Lisbon, Portugal (2019)

2017

McGrath J, ‘The Movement Between The Frames: Limited animation and the un-scene between’, Università degli Studi di Padova Dipartimento dei Beni Culturali, Padova, Italy (2017)

2017

McGrath J, De Windt D, Der Derian J, ‘Creating a global media network for peace and security’, Danish Institute for International Studies, Copenhagen, Denmark (2017)

2016

McGrath J, ‘Understanding the Universe through Animation: from Surrealism to Quantum Mechanics’, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2016)

2015

McGrath J, ‘Animation and artworks: exhibiting the process, the materials and the artwork as installation.’, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, United Kingdom (2015)

Creative Work

2020

McGrath J, Carson S, Shadbolt J, Bailey K, Pool Party, https://hunterprimarycare.com.au/storysong/ (2020)

Co-authors: Jane ShadboltSusan Carson 

2020

Kenke R, Anelli L, Wright R, Minichiello M, Drummond J, O’Donnell L, et al., The House We Build, Newcastle City Council and GPT Group (AU) (2020)

Co-authors: Jon DrummondRalph KenkeZisiang SeeNathan ScottThomas Studley

2019

McGrath J, Eliott M, Dr Mermaid and the Abovemarine, Exhibition window display at 107 Projects Redfern, Sydney, 107 Projects Redfern, Sydney (2019)

2019

Foulcher N, McGrath J, Shadbolt J, Lightscape, Break Block Park, Newcastle, Australia, Break Block Park, Honeysuckle (2019) [J1]

Co-authors: Jane ShadboltNicholas Foulcher

2019

McGrath J, Robards A, The Lobby, Convento De Sao Pedro, Lisbon, Portugal (2019)

2016

Eliott M, McGrath J, The Flame-ation Project: A look behind the scenes of glass animation, documentary., Screened at the 2016 Glass Art Society Conference in Corning, New York (2016)

Media

2025

McGrath J, ‘A century in motion: how stop-motion films went from obscure ‘creature features’ to winning Oscars’, (2025)

2025

McGrath J, ‘Overtly handmade and so very moving: Adam Elliot’s Memoir of A Snail is a stop motion triumph’, (2025)

2021

Chand A, McGrath J, ”Big Mouth, an animated series about periods, masturbation and anxiety. What’s not to like?’, The Conversation’, (2021)

Co-authors: Ari Chand

Presentations

2014

McGrath J, Eliott M, ‘Screening of glass animation documentary material’, (2014)

2013

Eliott M, McGrath J, ‘Screening and presentation of original artwork and glass stop-motion film.’, (2013)

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