|Dr Carinna Parraman
Current Research
Colour Print Workflow and Multi-layer Printing
project manager: Carinna Parramanproject duration: 2009 - present
Project description:
The aim of research into multilayer printing is to test methods for driving inkjet in a more creative and innovative way. This is undertaken by adapting existing hardware and print tools by encompassing traditional approaches to printing, and accessing and customising software and hardware. This might be addressed by: bypassing standard CMYK process inks; increasing or adapting the available colour range to encompass new colour palettes; improving methods of mixing and printing colours; by assisting artists to be able to soft-preview colours; by addressing how colours are printed by changing which colour could be printed first; and developing methods for over-layering colours. A deeper understanding of the relationship between artists’ methods for colour mixing and their choices of colour pigments could have significance in developing alternative approaches for digital ink colours.
research areas:
1. The development of alternative colour systems for inkjet printing
2. UV curable inkjet printing and the wallpaper project
Read more about this research
KTP between Renishaw Plc and the CFPR at UWE
awarding body: Technology strategy board and AHRCawarded to: Carinna Parraman and Stephen Hoskins
researcher participants: Sophie Adams-Foster
project duration: 2011 -2013
Project details:
This project, led by Dr Carinna Parraman and Professor Stephen Hoskins, aims to enhance the Additive Layer Manufacturing capability of Renishaw, improving in-house utilisation and developing innovative new machines and processes, through embedding print related technology and arts expertise, and is funded jointly between the Technology Strategy Board and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Renishaw is a global company with core skills in measurement, motion control, spectroscopy and precision machining. It develops innovative products that significantly advance customers’ operational performance by, for example, improving manufacturing efficiencies, raising product quality, maximising research capabilities and improving the efficacy of medical procedures. The company carries out its research and development and manufactures primarily in the UK. It sells its products both in the UK and overseas for use in applications as diverse as machine tool automation, co-ordinate measurement, Raman spectroscopy, machine calibration, position feedback, CAD/CAM dentistry, stereotactic neurosurgery and medical diagnostics.
Grant title: The use of printable UV, thermo and solar receptive pigments for wallpaper and textiles
Awarding body: UWE/SouthWest Regional Development Agency Knowledge FellowshipAwarded to: Dr Carinna Parraman
industrial partner: Roland DG
Project duration: 2010-11
Project details:
Dr Carinna Parraman has been awarded funding from UWE and the SouthWest Regional Development Agency to develop a range of printed materials and surfaces that can be developed as textiles or applied to walls that will adapt to the changes in the environment, such as light, emotion and temperature.
The project will combine both craft, design and cutting edge fabrication and printing technologies. New printing technologies can be used to print onto a new range of materials (plastics, metal, wood, uncoated papers) and trialling new inks and methods of printing (UV hardening, metallics, ceramic, 3D, non standard colour).
The long-term vision of this project is to address how we currently design, think and construct the materials in our environment; to operate a human-centred approach to the development of ITC technologies, which allows us to imagine, design and create materials, surfaces, textures in a way that benefits human wellbeing and to design tools and materials to enhance our environment. These materials will demonstrate a physical change in surface characteristics such as a change in colour, change in shape, store energy for later use, or reflect light.
Roland DG (Clevedon) have provided funding in-kind to this project through state of the art equipment and technical back up.
This project will result in outputs examining:
- Print on demand approach to interior design including the design of templates for users to develop own wallpaper projects
- Printable multi-geonomic/textured surfaces that respond to and enhance low light conditions, that adapts to and enhances available lighting
- UV hardening inks that can be printed onto many different surfaces and therefore reduces the costs of pre-fabrication and coatings that are currently in use for inkjet materials
- Use of colour in the built environment
Creative Colour Lab (CCLab)
Project Manager: Dr Carinna ParramanResearcher participants: Paul Laidler
Project duration: Ongoing
Project details:
Integral to the CFPR, the CCLab focuses on quality digital imaging and printing for artists, with an emphasis on colour print and image quality. The CCLab has ongoing discussions with Hewlett Packard Labs in Bristol, Palo Alto, San Diego and Barcelona; ColourCom Oxford and University of Milan.
Yu Wang, accepted a full-time one year post as research fellow, which is funded by Hewlett Packard, to write a user interface and software for multi channel printing, and algorithms for halftoning. Research is underway to look at methods specifically geared to bespoke fine printing for artists that tests and moves beyond the general workflows of commercial print reproduction. Hong Qiang Wang, who is in his final stages of his PhD is also based here.
Colour Light Fastness Tests
Project Manager: Dr Carinna Parraman
Project duration: Ongoing
Project details:
Real time exposure to inkjet prints could be considered as the only reliable method to understand the impact of light and the environment on inkjet prints. This obviously is problematic in terms of predicting the life expectancy of a print. However, by subjecting printed samples to real life conditions then a better understanding can be obtained as to the environmental impacts.
Colour measurements are taken from printed dye and pigmented colour patches, which are printed onto a range of coated and uncoated paper samples. These measurements are taken at regular intervals during the year. The measurements also take into account changes in the whiteness of the paper and the effects of storage on colour and paper.
Colour Print and Image Quality
Project Manager: Dr Carinna ParramanProject duration: Ongoing
Project details:
Research is underway to investigate photographic image enhancement methods as a preparation for printing. The objective is to compare different image enhancement methods, such as those used in Photoshop such as curves, histogram, levels, which adjusts images on a global level; versus spatial methods of enhancement, which makes a pixel by pixel comparison. This project is being undertaken with Alessandro Rizzi at University of Milan and John McCann Imaging USA.
Alternative methods for colour and Inkjet printing
Project Manager: Dr Carinna ParramanProject duration: Ongoing
Project details:
Over recent years inkjet technology has developed at a pace, and has evolved as a sophisticated software and hardware tool for the reproduction of digital photographic images. As improvements continue in inkjet head technology, inks and colour gamut, thus the gap between the traditional photographic print and the inkjet print has narrowed. However, there is a growing requirement for the user to gain access to an inkjet technology that is not necessarily dependent on photographic printing or facsimile reproduction. These requirements could be gained through alternative print and colour methods, such as the development of novel colour sets and modifications to print hardware. A range of experiments are undertaken to investigate how inkjet technologies can be utilised more creatively.
Colour and Visual Perception
Project Manager: Dr Carinna ParramanProject duration:Ongoing
Project details:
My interest in this area developed through the prints made by artists working 60 and 70s. Artists exploring colour theories through the medium of screenprint in the 1960s and 70s developed an empirical understanding of colour relationships and optical colour mixtures. Methods of manipulating perceptual relationships in a work of abstract art have been adapted by artists. Colour and shape and surface are controlled to draw the viewer to the picture plane. The colour effects may change over time whilst viewing the artwork, as the eye adapts to the spatial arrangements of colour fields, thus spatial experiences such as chromatic adaption, simultaneous contrast, warping of the surface plane may occur.
The Impact of Paper on Inkjet
Project Manager: Dr Carinna ParramanResearcher participants: Paul Laidler
Project duration: Ongoing
Project details:
As more inkjet papers are launched on the market, there is now a priority to make a comprehensive assessment of these new papers, and moreover, according to the requirements and preferences of the artist. Around 60 papers have been collected, which range from a high gloss photographic to Japanese Washi. The objective is to improve paper choices for the user and to provide a comparison of printed samples on a selection of papers. Information is provided on printed image quality, colour, clarity and crispness of line, greyscale, density; as well as the conservation issues relating to colour shift, fading and changes of the whiteness of paper.