The fourth annual Create Expo on Thursday (21 June) provided an opportunity for guests to see live demonstrations and gather expert advice in design-related technology and trends.
First to take to the stage at the college’s Create Theatre was Paul Colls, co-founder and creative director of Nottingham-based Fierce Kaiju. The company, whose name means strange creature in Japanese, develops virtual reality video games. Paul has worked on some large projects and games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto.
Paul said: “I’ve been speaking to guests about the kind of games we develop as well as what it’s like to run a design company. I was delighted to be involved with the Expo and support my local college.”
Lead 3D artist at Think Allowed, Matt Burkey, spoke about his route into the animation industry. He said: “My route into this career wasn’t a straight forward one, but I want to assure newcomers to the industry that there’s no right or wrong way. I’m delighted to also share my experience of how we approach work from a small studio’s point of view when we work on video production for the industry and filmmakers.”
The expo also featured an exhibition of students’ work who have completed the BA (Hons) Creative Digital Media. The variety of stills and motion graphics of Amy Edwards, Jordon Smith-Durham, Wai Hung Tsang, Carrie-Anne Daines, Luke Buxton and James Corton was available to view all day.
This event, which is in its fourth year, was devised by creative media tutor Tony Hall, and has always been widely attended by up and coming graphic artists to bring them the latest techniques and tips in the industry.
Also speaking at the Create Expo were Nicola Mills and Tim Bassford from Nottingham-based creative agency Spinning Clock, which has led on campaigns for NHS Change4Life and Disney Junior.
The audience also welcomed director of the National Space Centre Creative, Paul Mowbray. Paul has worked on some of the world’s most popular Fulldome 360 degree immersive documentaries. Meanwhile, Matt Knott of animation studio Versus, who has worked for clients such as Burberry and MTV spoke to guests about the business.
Expo guest Kelli Briggs, who works as head of graphic design at Chameleon Design in Nottingham, said: “It’s given me such inspiration and motivation being here today. In a normal job situation you can get bogged down with routine, daily work, so your creativity can lapse. I’d say people who work creatively need to be attending networking events and seminars such as this. Each time I’ve attended the expo I’ve left feeling really enthused.”
Curriculum manager for media and music, Steve Gathercole, said: “It’s been yet another impressive event featuring some top-class professional artists and designers.
“We’re very fortunate to have such brilliant networks of people who are happy to come and share their career journeys and advice at our annual expo. The Create Expo has fast become one of the pinnacles of the creative curriculum’s calendar.”
Caption on the main image: (left to right) Students Damia Jarvis, Robyn Lowder, Nicola Mills and Tim Bassford from Spinning Clock, Paul Colls of Fierce Kaiju, Matt Burkey of Think Allowed and students Tamzin Napierala and Jamie Wood
Image credits - Luke Buxton (www.fireballuke.com)