I am an experienced Animation Professional who has been a Senior Lecturer for sixteen years, now course Leader of the sixth ranking animation degree course in the UK [Animation Career Review 2022].
In the years that I have been teaching at Staffordshire University the landscape of teaching has radically changed in many ways and I feel that our students are more able to adopt new pipeline processes than ever before.
I am currently engaged in Practice Based Research that looks at a layered approach to audience experience in VR, AR, WebAR and browser utilizing interoperability to create real-world site-specific experiences of sculptural art forms. Over the last two years I have been researching and creating audience orientated artistic experiences that use a visual narrative to engage the viewer, and give alternative experiences based on choices made while exploring artworks.
I have also collaborated with artists within the metaverse to create exhibitions, live events, AR give-aways, shared galleries, and event recordings.
I also teach on our MA course and supervise Master by Negotiated Study students regularly. These opportunities often include exploration of new techniques, methodologies, and hybrid combinations.
Professional memberships and activities
- Fellow of the Higher Education Authority.
Academic qualifications
- Postgraduate Cert. in Higher and Professional Education
- Fellow of the Higher Education Authority
- BA (Hons) Degree in Film, Photography and Animation, West Surrey College of Art and Design, 1989.
Expertise
- Animation
- Immersive VR / AR
- Character Design
- Pre-Production Cinematography
Research interests
- VR / AR art & emerging tech
Teaching
My main subject areas include the following:
• Performance driven non-dialogue character animation: 2D, 3D & Stop Motion
• Spoken word character performance: 2D, 3D & Stop Motion
• Life drawing and life sculpture
• Ideas / concept development
• Story structuring and the use of narrative
• Character design and implementation
• Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality / WebAR
• Software training; Maya, Blender: Grease pencil, Gravity Sketch, Substance Painter, Tilt Brush, Open Brush, Mozilla Hubs, VRLand.io
• Polygon modelling (character & environmental), texturing and character rigging
• Stop Motion puppet design and build
• Production design
• Cinematography
• Pre-Vis
• Production Pipeline Workflow
• Scheduling
• Camera theory and practice.
• Lighting for animation
• Set Building