Prospects Postgrad 1

56 Postgrad ARTS AND HUMANITIES Digital dreams While a silver robot in a pink van may have been chosen to enlighten the nation on switching to digital TV, universities up and down the country are looking to educate the next generation of directors, editors, animators and other key production staff in the digital media sector. Damien Currie meets two students who have already turned to postgraduate study to make their mark. It’s widely known that the traditional media industry has a fiercely competitive job market and one where experience counts. Unsurprisingly, it’s as tough in the world of digital media, though competition is not always a bad thing. Industry body The British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) says that due to the high number of mergers in this sector, competitiveness in the marketplace has intensified. In turn, advances in technology have led the industry to new audiences, for which there will be skills shortages. Education is one way of addressing these gaps and for practitioners of graduate education, there is a distinctive confidence about the influence of their programmes now and for the future. ‘I think prospective employers would be highly impressed with the work that is created by our digital animation students,’ remarks Martin Bowman, Senior Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire’s School of Film, Music and Media. ‘In fact, I know they are because the majority of our MA students gain employment in the industry.’ ARTIST DEVELOPMENT Martin goes on to explain keen interest in practical media, Emily was exactly the type of student Oxford Brookes sought to attract to their then new MSc in Digital Media Production. ‘We were very much looking for people who had other areas of expertise and wanted to get into the media, so they could then start applying the content of their first degree to some aspect of the media industry,’ academic education further and decided to confirms Dr James Gray, Senior Lecturer in study in London because it is one of the best Media Technology at the University. places you can go to regarding the visual THE OTHER SIDE This approach was one reason effects industry.’ Following a diploma in engineering for media technologies, Matthias enrolled on the university’s MA in 3D Digital Animation. After considering courses in media production, he settled on the Hertfordshire MA because it specialised in animation. ‘Over the past four years the MA has offered a way for undergraduates from non-animation backgrounds to learn 3D animation as a change of career,’ enthuses Martin, before adding that former students have pursued careers around the world as animators, art directors, technical directors and lecturers. A LITTLE EXTRA It was around one month Emily applied for the course, alongside the fact that the structure offered her the chance to study every aspect of the programme from video production to web media. ‘It was a very practical course, really hands on,’ says Emily. ‘We had introductory lessons with different elements of production, such as sound and video, but the most difficult modules were those involving 3D design. I did quite enjoy the challenge though and applying my brain in a completely different way than I had ever applied it before!’ BAPTISM OF FIRE Unlike Matthias, Emily found the job market tough after graduating. Applications to local BBC and ITV offices offered glimpses of hope after interviews but not final job offers. She persevered though and completed some promotional content for local organisations, before being alerted to a freelance position by a former course mate. She applied and was successful, first producing promos and then working on their TV series as an Offline Editor. While the silver robot will eventually finish his digital journey, Emily and Matthias are just starting theirs and looking to continue well into the future. confidence to develop in the industry and the wealth of courses to choose from could help you to do the same. before Matthias was offered a job in the industry, as a Lead 3D Artist with AixSponza. He is quite clear about how further study has helped his career so far. ‘Having a postgraduate degree gives you that extra little bit of qualification to help you outperform undergraduates in an application process. My goal is to become Lead Artist on bigger projects and one day maybe take up a Creative Director post. I think my MA will play a big part in this, as such positions are hard to reach without postgraduate qualifications.’ less about qualifications and more about gaining new skills. With an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology and a that while the digital animation industry is highly competitive, the UK (and London in particular) are world leaders in the field. Postgraduates from the best courses, he predicts, will secure employment and gain much from adding a further year to their development as an artist. Hertfordshire postgraduate Matthias Zabiegly agrees. ‘I wanted to take my For Emily Malden, postgraduate study was Postgraduate study gave them the skills and

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Prospects Postgrad 1

Prospects Postgrad Autumn 2008 Contents: What’s Inside For Love and Money Cash for Qualifications A Tale of Two Students Meet the Postgrad People All Aboard The Postgraduate Environment Maths Market The Postgrad Programme Teacher Training Arts and Humanities Science and Engineering Business and Management Social Sciences

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