We worked with Canon Europe to release an immersive exhibition 'World Unseen': a photography exhibition you don’t need to see, which was held at Somerset House, London between 5-7th April 2024 and in partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
World Unseen
Developed in partnership with RNIB, Canon inspires accessible photography designed for all
Client
- Canon
Office
- London
World Unseen makes photography more accessible and immersive for everyone. And, in doing so, it changes the way sighted people understand the visual impairment experience. It’s a privilege to work on a creative idea that means so much to so many people, and I hope it inspires others to be more inclusive in their work too.
San Sharma
Creative Director
Through its proprietary PRISMAElevate XL software and Arizona printer series, Canon has been making arts more accessible for blind and partially sighted people for many years, supporting many art galleries and museums globally with tactile printing and braille signage. However, this event marks Canon’s first completely accessible, immersive experience.
The experience was designed for and with blind and partially sighted people, using elevated prints, immersive audio descriptions, and braille - to ensure as many people as possible can appreciate it. Sighted people, too, gained a better appreciation of the partially sighted experience. Each image was obscured in ways that simulate different types of visual impairment, from glaucoma to diabetic retinopathy.
While it raises awareness of the importance of accessibility in arts and cultural spaces, it also draws attention to how inclusive design makes experiences better for everyone. The exhibition featured works from world-renowned photographers and Canon ambassadors, including multi-award-winning South African photojournalist Brent Stirton and renowned Brazilian Photojournalist, Sebastião Salgado.
Photography is an incredibly powerful medium that can push the imagination and we want this experience to be accessible to everyone. This exhibition was created with blind and partially sighted people in mind to share imagery and the stories behind them in an entirely new way. With Canon’s elevated print technology, we hope all visitors will feel a deeper connection to the emotions and stories that imaging can bring to life.
Pete Morris
Brand and Sponsorship Senior Manager, Canon EMEA
Please provide your contact information to continue.
Related Content
Baileys
Baileys Sound Scales
A unique audio innovation that tells consumers what is left in their bottle and suggests delicious treats they can create with it
Read Case Study 
Department for Transport
UNXPECTD FM
A ‘pirate radio station’ hijacks young drivers' airwaves when road conditions get sketchy
Read Case Study