Visual Science of Art Conference 2026
Vision Forward: Perception, Art & Technology
The Visual Science of Art Conference (VSAC) 2026 brings together designers, scientists, artists, engineers, and innovators to explore how visual perception and artistic practice intersect to shape human experience and interaction with the world. The conference examines how insights from perception and art advance our understanding of visual experience and inform creative practice, scientific inquiry, and the development of intuitive and effective technologies. Hosted by the Department of Engineering at King’s College London, UK from August 20–22, 2026, this year’s event highlights design as a critical interface between humans, complex systems, and technologies, showing how artistic and aesthetic approaches can help us understand, model, and enhance perceptual processes.
Call for Submissions
This year’s VSAC theme, “Vision Forward: Perception, Art & Technology”, emphasises the central role of visual perception in connecting human experience with action and the world. Understanding how we see, interpret, and engage with visual information is fundamental across domains: from advancing theoretical frameworks in visual science to shaping aesthetic experience, and informs the design of tools, environments, technologies and their seamless integration into daily life. Artistic practice and aesthetic experience are not merely subjects of study but essential catalysts of innovation. They offer unique insights into how meaning, preference, and engagement emerge, providing ecologically rich contexts to study perception and attention. By grounding innovation in visual science and investigating these perceptual phenomena in artworks, we can reimagine how humans interact with the world. This approach allows us to develop solutions that are human-compatible, technically robust, and capable of addressing pressing challenges in healthcare, education, urban systems, and beyond.
VSAC 2026 builds on King’s College London’s interdisciplinary strengths, bringing together the Department of Engineering (Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences), Department of Neuroimaging (the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience), and Department of Digital Humanities (Faculty of Arts & Humanities), while connecting to broader networks across healthcare, social sciences, and industry. Through keynote talks, empirical presentations, workshops, and collaborative sessions, participants will explore how insights from visual perception and artistic practice can inform visual systems and interfaces: from visualisations and augmented reality systems to medical imaging tools, assistive devices, and interactive environments that promote well-being and inclusive living.
Vision-driven systems are not mere embellishments but essential catalysts of innovation. By leveraging visual science and investigating perceptual phenomena in artworks, we can design technologies that align with human abilities and needs. Artistic and aesthetic experiences provide controlled yet ecologically rich contexts to study perception, attention, engagement and meaning-making. Insights from these domains can inform the development of real-world solutions that enhance human-machine interaction, accessibility, health, and sustainability, where effective visual communication critically shapes usability, safety, and societal impact.
We welcome submissions, including but not limited to the themes below, especially those aligned with this year’s focus on design:
- Fundamental research in visual cognition or neuroscience addressing mechanisms of visual experience
- Research in visual perception, empirical aesthetics, or psychology of art, using artworks or aesthetic experience to investigate perceptual processes and inform visual interfaces
- Investigations into perception-driven innovations for healthcare design, mental health, or socially responsive environments
- Empirical research on perceptual phenomena in art and their technological applications for usability, performance, or well-being
- Cross-disciplinary research in machine vision, Vision Language Models (VLMs), and computational modelling and simulation of visual phenomena
- Studies of perceptual mechanisms applied to human-computer interaction, AI, VR/AR, medical imaging, or assistive technologies
- Case studies of perception-informed prototypes in AI, VR/AR, medical devices, or assistive solutions
- Interdisciplinary work exploring how visual science informs ethical, accessible, and sustainable solutions
Join us in London to advance the intersection of visual science, aesthetics, artistic insight, and technology, and to reimagine how design can truly empower human experience. We welcome participants from all disciplines who are curious, collaborative, and eager to share ideas and transform this conference into a hub for interdisciplinary dialogue, creative inspiration, and the incubation of future innovations.
Become a Sponsor
The Visual Science of Art Conference (VSAC) is a unique platform fostering collaboration between artists and visual scientists. While the organization is entirely volunteer-driven, securing funding is essential to cover the conference’s operational costs and ensure its success.
At VSAC, we believe that the heart of a great conference lies in its people. That’s why funding primarily supports:
- Artist Waivers: making the conference accessible to the selected artists presenting of high quality work.
- Inspiring Keynote Speakers: attracting experts in their field to enrich the conference experience.
- Artist Travel Awards: providing financial assistance to selected artists, enabling them to participate and contribute meaningfully to VSAC.
To achieve these goals, we are actively seeking sponsors — both organizations and individuals — who share our vision of bridging the worlds of art and science. Your support could make a lasting impact!