Show and Tell publication (PDF)

SHOW & TELLTo see more about each of the courses and to view students’ work, visit the online degree show catalogue:www.staffs.ac.uk/degreeshow

For further information about the courses and work featured here, contact:t: 01782 294000e: [email protected]

°SHOW&TELL

04SUCCESS STORIES

Every year our graduating Arts, Media, Design andCreative Technology students are able to boast of many amazing success stories.

22EXPERIENCE COUNTS

Opportunities to engage with the creative and cultural industries offer our students a different perspective and an insight into professional working practice.

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OUT ANDABOUT

Not only do our students have fabulous resources and facilities within the Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies but we have also developed great links and resources outside.

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BEYONDUNIVERSITY

One of the most often asked questions we receive within the Faculty is...what do our students do once they graduate?

48COMMERCIALSUCCESS

Students, staff and graduates combine talents to instigate, lead and flourish on a variety of creative projects that are industry facing.

3D DESIGN CRAFTS

3D DESIGN CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY AND FASHION ACCESSORIES

3D DESIGN CERAMICS

ADVERTISING AND BRAND MANAGEMENT

ANIMATION

ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR CREATIVE AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES

CARTOON AND COMIC ARTS

FINE ART, FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY

FOUNDATION YEAR IN ART

FOUNDATION YEAR IN DESIGN

GRAPHIC DESIGN

ILLUSTRATION

MEDIA FILM PRODUCTION

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOJOURNALISM

PRODUCT DESIGN

SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN

TEXTILE SURFACES

TRANSPORT DESIGN

VFX: VISUAL EFFECTS AND CONCEPT DESIGN

CONTENTSDESIGN AND PRODUCTION

Thank you to all involved in the design and production of this publication – Transmission, Mark Garner and Sarah Peart - Academic Group Leaders, Staffordshire University Design Studio, Shaun Kelley, Helen Chapman, Associate Dean - Learning & Teaching and Award Leaders and staff who have provided content. Above all thank you to the students - whose energy, enthusiasm and commitment has made Show & Tell another great success.

Aardman Animation

BBC

Boardworks

Chapman Entertainment

Ragdoll

Koko Digital

SMA Studios

Animazoo Motion Capture

Studio Distract

Triffic Films

Travellers Tales

Sony Games

BreakThru Films

Crytek

MindUttoxeter

Graham & Brown

George at Asda

The Goldsmiths’ Company

Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council

The Worshipful Company of Pewterers

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2013/14 has been another year of great discoveries, creative journeys and exciting explorations, but also a year of hard work. However, we have arrived now. Our messy studio - and workshop areas have been transformed into cool gallery spaces, ready to reveal the results of our students’ work, the culmination of years of generating innovative ideas, problem solving, designing and making. During their last year of undergraduate studies our students have continued to enjoy success in a number of international competitions, they have broadened their horizons on educational trips to trade shows and exhibitions at national and international level and have worked with companies locally, but also in New York, Paris, Frankfurt and California. The activities they engaged with during their studies and especially during their final year at University, will have provided them with knowledge, experience and skills to be work-ready. As artists and designers they will be able to help others to interpret our complicated world and add beauty to it.

It is a lifestyle choice they have made a long time ago when choosing a creative education, which enables them to play a key role in economic and social value creation when working as artists and designer-makers, in various community settings or indeed in business.

According to a scoping study undertaken by the Design Council and the AHRC in 2013, there is a strong link between design and better business performance. Businesses that increase their investment in design also increase their chances in turnover growth. The importance of Art & Design for all aspects of our lives is evident in the breadth of exploration demonstrated in this year’s degree show.

The individual portfolios behind the exhibits will pave our graduates’ way to hugely diverse career paths as has been the case for students graduating in the past. Many of them have maintained links with us to allow current students access to valuable placements and internships from product design companies to Hollywood blockbusters.

I am convinced that this year’s graduating cohort will make their way out there and I hope that they, like their predecessors, keep the place of their under-graduate Art and Design education in their hearts and minds and keep coming back to us for their own benefit but also for the benefit of future generations of students.

FOREWORD

Dr Astrid Herhoffer Dean, Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies

SUCCESS STORIES

Judith scoops Potclays Award3D Design: Ceramics graduate, Judith Roberts received an award from Potclays for best ceramic work at the 2013 Show and Tell exhibition.

Judith was also commissioned, while exhibiting at New Designers in London to produce a collection of ceramic objects for a chain of boutique hotels in the fashionable and trendy location of Shoreditch.

3D Design: Crafts graduate, Harriett Barker was awarded the The Staffordshire University Innovation Award for the use of creative technologies in her work. Harriett “favours technological advanced techniques over traditional methods”. Her current collection uses a variety of layered recycled materials (wood, leather, paper and card) “to create the basis of my bold interior home-ware”.

MA Creative FuturesMA Creative Futures student David Moody has proved that there are always new opportunities to take in life.

Before starting his MA, David has already worked as an engineer in several factories around Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. He then helped start the Octopus Design graphics studio. David wanted to concentrate more on branding and so formed his own company DJM Design which offered him the freedom to experiment with his craft.

Most people would be satisfied here but not David! Feeling he had missed academic opportunities after leaving school, he decided to study for a BA in Graphics Design which led him to his current MA.

David has now launched a 39 Design through the Speed Plus scheme at Staffordshire University. The company’s main aim is to create sustainable brands for SME’s (Small and Medium size Enterprises) so aid them in firmly establishing themselves as market leaders.

Feeling that there is always room for development, David says ”My full range of skills and experience is not exhaustive by any means.”

MA Creative FuturesMA Creative Futures student David Moody has proved that there are always new opportunities to take in life.

Before starting his MA, David had already worked as an engineer in several factories around Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. He then helped start the Octopus Design graphics studio. David wanted to concentrate more on branding and so formed his own company DJM Design which offered him the freedom to experiment with his craft.

Most people would be satisfied here but not David! Feeling he had missed academic opportunities after leaving school, he decided to study for a BA (Hons) in Graphics Design which led him to his current MA.

David has now launched 39 Design through the Speed Plus scheme at Staffordshire University. The company’s main aim is to create sustainable brands for SME’s (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) to aid them in firmly establishing themselves as market leaders.

Feeling that there is always room for development, David says ”My full range of skills and experience is not exhaustive by any means.”

Judith Roberts

Exciting ‘moove’ for Jasmine3D Design: Crafts student Jasmine Simpson has experienced the benefits of networking by securing an exciting commission with Cow Parade.

Specialising in Ceramics, Jasmine will be working on a project to produce model cows for Cow Parade - generating original clay cow prototypes for this international company.

Jasmine says: “Studying here at Staffordshire University has given me many opportunities to work with different companies. Whilst on my University trip to design trade show ‘Ambiente’ in Frankfurt, I was introduced to the director of Cow Parade who has since commissioned me to develop a range of ceramic cows for a national event in the near future. This has opened up professional opportunities to take forward into my future career and extends my portfolio of experience. I now have the chance to design my own cow.”

CowParade is the largest and most successful public art event in the world. It has staged events in over 75 cities worldwide since 1999 including New York, Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. Many known artists and designers are commissioned to decorate the cows and Jasmine is excited to be part of such a prestigious project.

Advertising and Brand Management

Competition successEvery year BA (Hons) Advertising and Brand Management (ABM) students enter some of the most prestigious international student competitions including D&AD, YCN and the SHELF AWARDS. Competitions give students the opportunity to pitch themselves against the best talent internationally and allow them to showcase their great thinking and creativity to a massive audience.

Last year ABM had unprecedented success in a number of these awards with eight students shortlisted and commended for their outstanding ideas and work. This award success has led to a number of work placements for those talented students as well as invitations to some fantastic awards ceremonies in top hotels around the UK. ABM are looking forward to similarly successful 2014/15 competition results…after all, we all love a good party invite!

YCN commended winning work from ABM students for a print campaign promoting UGG shoes. “The teams’ strategy was to - Change men’s perceptions of the UGG brand by showing the versatility the range has to offer for every man and every lifestyle” Lara James – 2013 Advertising and Brand Management student now working at Ad Agency TBWA London.

STUDYING HERE AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIvERSITY HAS GIvEN ME MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH DIFFERENT COMPANIES

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SUCCESS STORIES | 04 / 05

Students selected

for CrazyHorse!

FILM CHALLENGEBA (Hons) Stop Motion Animation and Puppet Making students have been selected to take part in the “CrazyHorse! 48 Hour Film Challenge” for the second consecutive year. The challenge is part of the Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film 2014.

Second year students Cat Hayes and Naomi Harris beat off international competition to be selected for this year’s challenge – where they will make a short animated film in 48 hours – which must feature the stripy festival mascot – Trixi, the CrazyHorse!

The festival and competition attracts the very best animators in the industry and we wish Cat and Naomi the very best of luck.

Animators ‘Eulogy’

for top folk actFinal year Stop Motion Animation and Puppet Making student Rob Millard has been a fan of folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner for several years.

After seeing Turner perform in 2013 Rob decided to contact him about using one of his songs as the subject of a short animated film. Turner was quick to reply to Rob’s e-mail agreeing support for the project.

Rob’s film “Eulogy” based on the song of the same name focuses on Turner performing ‘live’ on stage. Rob spent the first part of his final year creating and animating a stop motion Frank Turner puppet complete with replaceable mouth shapes, distinctive tattooed arms and acoustic guitar.

In the time that it took to make the film Frank Turner’s fame increased and in January 2014 he appeared on the BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind, with his specialist subject - Iron Maiden.

Rob used the power of social media such as Twitter to promote his finished film - with Turner’s band re-tweeting it to their many followers and fans - receiving really positive comments.

For his final year film, Rob is planning to animate another of Turner’s songs from his latest album ‘We Shall Not Overcome’. This time the production values have been raised even higher with the film including a number of ambitious stop motion sequences, one of which includes over one hundred laser-cut guitars that float in revolving layers.

2013 CrazyHorse Competition entry - Stop Motion Animation graduate Nicola Everill on-set, in Germany with her puppet of ‘Trixi’

Guitar Model

Turner Still

Sky Arts 2014Animation students had another opportunity to enter the Student Stings Competition run by Sky Arts. Sky Creative Art Director Kristen Bjaastad and Janet Brennan visited the department to brief our students on the competition.

This is the second year that members of the Sky Creative network have visited the University and were once again impressed with the level of engagement, professionalism and focus shown by our student animators - notably the breadth of craftsmanship, ideas generation and the emphasis being placed on character driven work.

The annual competition is open to current students and recent graduates to produce a 20 second sting, with the opportunity of their finished work being broadcast on the Sky Arts channels as well as work experience and cash prizes.

In the 2013 Competition the University was well represented by three animation students being amongst the thirteen nationally short listed finalists. Our three shortlisted students were invited down to Sky HQ in London where they spent the day touring behind the scenes of the network channel and attended an evening Awards Ceremony where they met other members of the Sky Arts team including James Hunt, Head of Programmes for Sky Arts.

L to R: Award Leader Stuart Messinger with 2013 shortlisted animation students Kane Duncan, Calvin Williams and Rob Millard at the Sky Arts Award event in London

THIS IS AN ExCELLENT BRIEF FOR OUR STUDENTS. IT IS NOT ONLY INDUSTRY–FACING BUT IS ALSO WHOLLY CREATIvE – IT’S ABOUT IDEAS, NOT JUST THE ExECUTION

“This is an excellent brief for our students. It is not only industry-facing but is also wholly creative – it’s about ideas, not just the execution. Again, we have been very privileged to hear directly from the Sky Creative team about the brief.” Award Leader Stuart Messinger

At the time of going to press we have a number of student animators busy working on their entries for this year’s competition - the deadline for which is 30 May and we’re wishing all our entering students the very best of luck!

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Professional ProfilesThis year’s success stories have seen Cartoon and Comic Arts students venture into the world of conventions and employment with a range of jobs.

verity Hall posts comics for sale on Comicsy and is in the top 10 and also Page 45 is stocking her work

Bryony (Nigel) Morey working for Ross Campbell (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Becci Such – artwork published in SA Magazine

Lex Harford – Big Issue

verity Hall – Illustration work for Birmingham Post

Claire Smith and Jack Baker interviewed for “I” Newspaper

‘Hector’ the main character in ‘The Gubbins’

THE PIECE WAS COMPLETED ON A SMALL BUDGET, A vERY LIMITED TIMESCALE AND ALSO ON TOP OF THEIR ExISTING PROGRAMME

Animators collaborate for ‘Happiness’Final year Stop Motion Animation and Puppet Making students Sam Clarke and Rob Millard joined forces in March this year to enter the international competition set by Sofa.com.

The two students responded to the open brief of creating a short 15-30 second film for children, the theme of which was ‘Happiness’.

With highly notable director Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit) and Merlin Crossingham (Aardman Animations) amongst the judges - and a cash prize of £3,000 , Sam and Rob set out to impress!

Their short film titled ‘The Gubbins’ follows Hector, a fluffy-pink character - created from cardboard, wire and fake fur, showcases Sam and Rob’s puppet and set fabrication skills extremely well.

The piece was completed on a small budget, a very limited timescale and also on top of their existing programme. “It has been a truly creative collaboration between them and is a credit to them both, demonstrating their combined design, craftsmanship and stop motion skills excellently.” - Stuart Messinger - Award Leader

Good luck Sam, Rob and Hector!

Stop Motion animation students Rob Millard & Sam Clarke working on-set of ‘The Gubbins’

Esme Baran’s character design - in production in the USA

Tom Stephens and Jack Baker at MCM Expo

OUR STUDENTS HAvE GONE ON TO BECOME YOUTH THEATRE DIRECTORS, ARTS ADMINISTRATORS, ACTORS, DIRECTORS, DRAMA AND ENGLISH TEACHERS, DRAMA THERAPISTS, THEATRE PRACTITIONERS OR SET UP THEIR OWN SMALL SCALE THEATRE COMPANIES

Drama course achieves

accreditationStaffordshire University’s Drama Department has been successful in achieving Recognition status, a quality mark awarded by Drama UK - the organisation which champions quality drama training. This follows on from a 100% Student Satisfaction rate in the 2013 National Student Survey.

‘Recognised’ courses offer students and their future employers assurance that the course delivers what it promises and provides a real benefit to the creative industries.

Robert Marsden, Award Leader in Drama, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded Drama UK Recognition status for our Acting and Theatre Arts Degree. The status is given to Universities and other courses which can rigorously prove that it prepares students for work in the creative industries after graduation.

“We are relatively new in comparison to other drama degrees across the UK so for us, this is a real achievement and is a testimony to the work that both the staff and student bodies put in as there are only a small handful of courses who have achieved this Recognition status.

He added: “Our students have gone on to become Youth Theatre Directors, Arts Administrators, Actors, Directors, Drama and English teachers, drama therapists, theatre practitioners or set up their own small scale theatre companies.”

The industry panel from Drama UK spent two days at the University, observing rehearsals and workshops, interviewing staff and students. Historically, Drama UK’s industry endorsed quality assurance has only been available to vocational courses at conservatoire drama schools. The development of the Recognised quality mark in 2012 is part of Drama UK’s mission to broaden the reach of its quality assurance in the sector.

Ian Kellgren Chief Executive for Drama UK said. “The drama training landscape has changed significantly since quality assurance for drama training was originally set up by The National Council of Drama Training (NCDT) in the 1970s. We have acknowledged that there are now many more providers in this sector and there is a need to provide quality assurance for courses that are less vocational than conservatoire training but offer a very real benefit to the industry.”

Staffordshire University’s BA (Hons) Acting and Theatre Arts degree explores acting, directing, production and applied theatre as well as theatre and dramatic history with the study of plays, playwrights and practitioners. Staff mainly come from the theatre industry and are complemented by guest lecturers who are professionals working across the industry. The course also enjoys strong links with local and national arts organisations where students undertake placements and other work based opportunities.

Over 2013-14 students have worked on productions of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, Peter Whelan’s The Bright and Bold Design, Odon von Horvath’s Judgment Day as well as documentary plays and creating their own small scale theatre companies. Our production of The Winter’s Tale has also been taken to the RSC’s Open Air Space, The Dell, in Stratford-upon-Avon.

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Lucy Hill

Entrepreneurship –

Fine ArtEntrepreneurship student Lucy Hill will be presenting her final project work through a solo art exhibition in venues in London and in Buxton. Specialising in BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship in Fine Art, Lucy will exhibit her landscape paintings and photography.

Lucy says: “This has been made possible by the financial grants I have received from two charitable trusts; the Burbage Educational Fund and the William Barry Trust, which I sought out myself. I have already begun applications for future exhibitions and once graduated I aim to establish a studio space for myself to work from.”

Nicci Lewis has used her experience on the BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship in Theatre Arts degree to take her dance students to national awards success.

Nicci runs the Fusion Dance School in Lichfield which offers Street Dance classes for all ages.

Nicci says: “Since starting my degree in Theatre Arts some of our dancers have had the opportunity to experience contemporary dancing through workshops, a Flash Mob in Tesco and we have formed 2 Crews ‘Short Fuse’ and ‘Rhythmic Crew’ to start competing in competitions.”

After securing first place in the Nationwide heats, both crews competed for ‘Nationwide Medallist of the Year - Street Dance’ (mixed age and under 12s category) in a competition run by the International Dance Teachers Association.

In the finals, Rythmic Crew achieved an amazing 3rd place with Short Fuse coming 6th. However, Short Fuse gained second place in the recent ‘Lichfield’s got Talent’ competition.

Nicci said: “We need our own dance studio to start our collection of crew medals.”

Fusion Dance School will be expanding in 2014 to offer a range of dance styles.

Nicci Lewis Entrepreneurship in Theatre Arts

Nicci Lewis leading her dance class

Fine Art graduates win at

New Art West MidlandsThis year, Fine Art Graduates Ali Reed and Sikander Pervez scooped three out of six awards at New Art West Midlands, where 6 out of the 23 exhibitors were Staffordshire graduates!

A major Regional Art award in the area, NAWM gave the First Prize of £1000 to Ali Reed, also awarded the ‘A3 Project Space Award’ of £1000 plus a two-month residency. Sikander won £1000 with the coveted Award of a solo exhibition at New Art Gallery Walsall. He says: “Since graduating I have been ticking things off my one year plan that I made in Professional Practice in the final year of University. Having won a prize I am now in the process of working towards my solo show, which takes place in January 2015”.

Overall Winner Ali Reed says: “It still hasn’t sunk in but I’m very excited to be chosen! I will have the opportunity to propose ideas for future projects to director Trevor Pitt, to continue my practice and make new connections. “Along with fellow graduate Barbara Witkowska, Ali has completed an internship at Staffordshire University this year to develop a new studio and gallery complex called Majestic Studios in Stoke. When asked to comment on how our course has helped her develop her professional profile, Ali said: “It’s definitely helped with setting up Majestic Studios - particularly through Professional Practice and how to organize and apply for things”. With Sikander Pervez adding: “Staffordshire University provided me with studio and gallery space to experiment. I believe studying Fine Art at Staffordshire University provided me with the freedom to apply my understanding and my point of view!”

Ali Reed is presented her award by Toby Watley, Director of Collections at Birmingham Museums Trust and David Harding OBE, selector for New Art West Midlands

I BELIEvE STUDYING FINE ART AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIvERSITY PROvIDED ME WITH THE FREEDOM TO APPLY MY UNDERSTANDING AND MY POINT OF vIEW!

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Foundation year in ArtDuring a recent exhibition in the ‘UniQube’ gallery space in the Foyer of the University’s Flaxman Building, Foundation student Robert Noble made his first sale.

Senior Lecturer in Contextual Studies, Dr David Heap bought one of Roberts paintings that had been inspired by the idea of walking and exploring. The painting will soon be on Dr Heap’s living room wall whilst Robert is updating his C.v!

Dr Heap said “I found the work really interesting and was drawn to it because of the way Robert had used the paint to make textures that related to his personal response to walking; it’s an intriguing work and I look forward to getting it framed and mounted.”

WALKING HIS WAY TO SUCCESS

Graphic Design is Buzzing!!Third year BA (Hons) Graphic Design student, Jordan Pass, won his category in a competition set by B-Hive in Birmingham. The competition was open to all students currently in their 2nd, 3rd/final year of study, the winners. The winners gaining the opportunity to undertake one of 30 paid placements. The scheme was also open to 2013 graduates, so the competition was huge. (This was Jordan’s second competition win within the space of less than a week having also won his category in the Roses Competition in Manchester).

The deal was simple, B-Hive is split into 5 categories – Marketing, PR, Advertising, Graphic Design and Web Design. Each category consisted of a panel of judges representing leading creative agencies and big brands.

To take part students picked the category that was most appropriate, downloaded the brief and started to craft their response. The best entrants in each discipline were invited to present to a panel of industry experts during a three day event in March 2014. (Think Dragons Den with less dragon-like dragons!). Winners also received a bespoke training course courtesy of Graduate Advantage.

The brief to launch a new fashion brand ‘Threads’ - required a brand identity and full suite of brand collateral working across all forms of media. Judges were looking for the work to demonstrate both versatility and appropriateness and why

it’s right for the target audience, so developing a full suite of collateral and promotional materials was crucial, along with a clear justification for the designs. Judges also looked for strong and original ideas, in addition to well crafted end results including the process used to arrive at the solution. Scamps, sketches and workings out were as vital in explaining how students arrived at their preferred designs. The win brings Jordan’s tally of work placements to 5 which include Dinosaur, vital Marketing, Orb, NEC Group and The Holman Group.

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Time to celebrateFollowing the success of our students’ entries into the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers “Picturing Time” competition - the Awards evening was held at Sotheby’s on New Bond Street in London.

The extremely well-attended event was a great platform for the students’ work and a chance to network with the judges, fellow students and members of the Clockmakers company.

Graphic Design student Craig Palmer received a cheque for £1,000, Illustration student Conrad Lewis and Graphic Design student Kate Parkes, provided support and applause and took the opportunity to network and gain feedback on their work! A request of the submission was that the work could be placed up for sale. Both Craig and Kate wasted no time in securing 3-figure deals for their work, with additional interest/offers also going to Jessie (Sijie) Huang’s photographic collage piece.

Also shortlisted and exhibited was work by Graphic Design students Nikki Elson and Sarah Cook.

Craig beat off over 250 entrants from over 50 institutions to win the competition. Staffordshire also had a further 5 students shortlisted from Levels 4-6, and whose work was also on display in London.

Competitors were required to submit an item which was “entirely their own recent work and was original”. The submission could be a photograph, illustration, design or animation and should “elucidate any aspect of the understanding of time, horology or related subjects. It must be in 2 dimensions”.

“Picturing Time” represents an opportunity for students to gain some recognition for their work from potential employers and the media, as well as win valuable prizes. The competition was announced just prior to the academic year so that students could use their entry for this competition as one of their projects within their current course at University. It is part of a regular cycle of such events to create interest in the topics of watchmaking, clockmaking and related crafts. The panel of judges was chosen for their eminence in their field of work.

GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDENT CRAIG PALMER RECEIvED A CHEQUE FOR £1,000

Jordan survives the

Wall of Death!The Roses Student Awards are a great opportunity for up and coming designers to compete with like minded individuals across the country and demonstrate their commitment, focus and creative talent in answering one of 9 briefs set by industry leading studios and creatives.

To win, to be a finalist or to be shortlisted for this annual competition, is an important accomplishment for the students, and shows that if you work hard you can achieve great things. Not only do they have something tangible to show for their work but have the added bonus of a placement with a great agency if they win - where they will continue to develop and gain valuable experience.

Both final year and second year students entered this year from Graphic Design and Illustration and the competition, as ever, was strong. Graphic Design student Jordan Pass won his category – the brief asking for an integrated campaign to convince members of the public to risk their lives in search of the ultimate thrill – the wall of death! Wayne Mitchell and Ollie Buxton, also from Graphic Design, were runners-up with their solution to encourage people to learn a second language and Steve Garrington Miller, from Illustration, was runner-up with his solution to encourage the public to report potholes in the road and get them filled. The 9 briefs were set by Thomson Brand Partners, Tayburn, vivid, Like A River, Bjl, Dinosaur, Uniform, Love Creative and The Chase – who all offered a placement for the winners of their particular brief. Jordan will be working at Dinosaur as part of his placement. In addition to this, his work will appear on The Drum website.

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Jake Parker - On the set of film ‘Martin’s Box’ Jake Parker – The script for ‘Martin’s Box’

Emal Khan

Media (Film) Production Graduate 2013Assistant Directing on a film in Afghanistan takes Emal full circle.

Emal Khan graduated from Media (Film) Production last year. On graduation Emal wanted to get involved in documentaries so went to Sheffield DocFest and saw one of the ‘Afghanistan at work’ documentaries.

Emal says “I went to the Sheffield DocFest and I saw one of the documentaries of ‘Afghanistan at work’. I really liked it and I wanted to get involved so I emailed the director, David Gill. I told him about my work and achievements. He liked my work and wanted me to go to Afghanistan and work with his team. In Kabul, I was involved in all the documentary series they were producing. I was the assistant director of one of the series. The series is currently being edited for broadcast in 2015.”

Jake Parker

Media (Film) ProductionJake’s film ‘Martins Box’ was written by David Scinto, writer of Oscar nominated film ‘Sexy Beast’ and stars actor Phil Campbell who starred as a lead role in the feature length film ‘The Hide’ alongside Alex Macqueen. ‘Martins Box’ also features the incredible talents of Stockport actor James Whitehurst.

“I communicated with David throughout the pre-production, production and post-production stages of ‘Martin’s Box’ and learnt first hand advice in the world of feature film making. This has influenced me to pursue a career in the film industry even more as well as opening many work opportunities in the future.

We shot the film in 2 days in Barlaston Stoke on Trent with a small crew and next to nothing budget.”

The film is currently being entered into film festivals worldwide including Encounters Film Festival and Raindance Film Festival.

It is the latest film from Jake after his most recent success; Runner up for ‘Best Documentary’ at Film Festival Screen Stockport 2013. This was awarded by producer of ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ and ‘This is England’ Mark Herbert, for ‘The Tiviot’. ‘The Tiviot’ gives everyday folk a place on the screen and tells their story before their beloved Stockport pub, that has become a major part of their lives, is scheduled to be demolished.

The dark yet jaunty film ‘Martin’s Box’ takes the audience away from the typical gangster scenario and lets us see what two men of the underworld are really like. It looks past the stereotypical view of hit-men as they are delayed on their mission with the mundane task of changing a burst tyre, adding dangerous minutes to their journey to deliver a mysterious box for their boss, Martin.

Jake Parker is a 20-year-old short filmmaker from Stockport, who studied Media Production at Stockport College and is currently in his third year at Staffordshire University studying Media (film) Production. Filmmakers Shane Meadows and Ben Wheatley are a huge influence on him and in his spare time he composes his own music and plays the banjo in Stockport band The Dapper Dan’s.

Mow Cop, the final scene in Mick Cockcrofts Film ‘Pipe Dream’ that has been shown at several film festivals

Mick Cockcroft

Media (Film) ProductionMick is a final year Media Production student who has crafted his own style of thought-provoking reality based drama and documentary. Growing up in Bradford he always had a keen interest in film and particularly social and ethical documentary. He would often frequent the local film museum and explore other art forms there, with the visceral photojournalism work of Don Mccullen and Eugene Smith moving him deeply. Having left school at 16 he worked for 8 years at Tesco carving out a successful career yet still keeping his interest in film. Citing the work of Werner Herzog, his style, and philosophy of filmmaking has had a major influence on Mick.

Mick then changed his career path to become a successful self-employed courier for 5 years. As the recession hit Mick was forced to re-evaluate his future career prospects and it was at this point at 28 he returned to education to follow his dream of becoming a filmmaker. A successful 2-year spell at Bradford College studying creative media followed. Mick began to show a maturity of subject matter instantly, making films about adults with high functioning autism, and also about the government funding cuts of Art courses that directly impacted on the college he studied at. It was there Mick received his first award of most promising young filmmaker at the Bradford film festival.

This led him to Staffordshire University where he has honed his skills as a filmmaker further. Continuing his wide-ranging subject matters, Mick has made films ranging from the mistreatment of women in Iran, local non-UK born business entrepreneurs, to his most successful film Pipe Dream.

Pipe Dream was a semi-autobiographical film about following your dreams and aspirations portrayed through a local bagpipe maker.

The film showed Sean Jones craftsmanship of bagpipe making coupled with his philosophical outlook on life and work. This combination created. a visually stimulating piece with multi-layered undertones. The film was selected for screening at the short storytellers film festival and was screened on Thanksgiving weekend in 3 cinemas in Rhode Island, USA.

In the future Mick has said he would like to become an established documentary filmmaker bringing his own unique style to subject matters that are socially relevant.

Still from Mick Cockcroft’s ‘Pipe Dream’ which has been shown at several film festivals

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Royal Television Society

Student Award WinnersMedia (Film) Production and Experimental Film Production were nominated 4 times for this years Royal Television Student Awards.

Current student Yann Gorriz was nominated for his film ‘Duct Tape’ as well as graduate Chris Yarwood’s film ‘Times Up’ for best fiction. Sara Murphy’s film for clothing brand ‘Why Not Clothing ‘and Kieran Sadler’s film ‘Waiting for God’ were nominated for best promotional film.

A great night was had for all the students nominated which finished with ‘Times Up’ coming away with Best Fiction Film!

Focusing on

mortality and modern

day gladiators Recent work by photography students Connie Mason and Mark Watson, explored subjects as diverse as mortality, death and cage fighting.

Connie’s work focused on vanitas – the depiction of objects to create a suggestion of mortality and the inevitability of death. The process of printing on vellum paper, and editing by hand, resulted in personalised pieces that embodied the concept of vanitas as well as a sense of the artist herself.

Mark’s portraits reflected the character of some of the most physically dangerous men in Britain – cage fighters. Getting literally ‘up close and personal’, the images portrayed men who choose to put their lives on the line for sport and entertainment.

Chris Yarwood with his RTS award for “Time’s Up” (left, with John Rosie)

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Matt Melling

Media (Film) Production Graduate 2013Matt Melling studied Media (Film) Production at Staffordshire University and graduated last year. During his third year at University he wrote and directed a short film called ‘Stand Up’ about the life of a depressed stand-up comedian, who was no longer in the public eye. The short film was successful and was screened at the No Gloss Film Festival in Leeds during the summer.

Due to the popularity of the short, Matt decided to expand the idea and turn it into a six episode series to be released online, giving him and the co-writer, Richard Collins, more opportunity to explore the characters and introduce new ones.

They launched a kickstarter campaign to try and get funding to create a pilot episode. Their target amount was £1000 and this was reached within 6 days.

The project was filmed in Manchester and is now in the post-production stages and will be released online via the website in the next month.

A Place for DaydreamingSam Yapp’s body of work is a celebration of the area which she has lived in all of her life, Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.

The Chase is an area of heathland, woodland, valley wetland and attractive villages, a stark contrast to its neighbouring city, Birmingham. Cannock Chase is often described as a small oasis in the West Midlands, and a place where Sam feels she can escape to losing her thoughts amongst the trees, as if somehow disembodied in a daydream.

The past, the present

and the futureEarlier this year, second year Photojournalism students produced and curated the Ad Astra exhibition, which opened at the Stoke campus of Staffordshire University in April

The talented students attracted visitors from both industry and the local area. The show will run for a year within the Henrion building and promotes a high standard of professional and creative photographic images. “The students have really risen to the challenge of a professional gallery setting and produced an outstanding show, said Mort Marsh, module leader. The Ad Astra show is a response by students to examine and be influenced by great photojournalism from the past. The result is an exciting and varied show, with images ranging from the streets to environmental portraiture and inspiration for the final pieces coming from iconic photographers such as Arnold Newman, Don McCullin and Diane Arbus.

The Temptress and the DeathbedKim Roberts has reflected upon her own recent life to make a piece of work that portrays the sense of a person’s many characters and ‘voices’. She writes:

“What brought me to this project was the catastrophic destruction of my ‘Ideal Life’ - that of marriage, fidelity, family, commitment and security. Loosely inspired by the artist Robert Lenkiewicz’s self portrait ‘Death Bed’, my image depicts a dead man surrounded by girls, each represented as a pin up characterised by aspects appertaining to my divorce. Lenkiewicz claimed to be opposed to what he termed as the ‘aesthetic fascism’ that dominated my life as a housewife and mother, preferring to paint himself as a modern day Raphael. My work represents the abandonment of sensibility, the manipulation by the ‘temptress’ and the ultimate stroking of salacious ego.”

MY WORK REPRESENTS THE ABANDONMENT OF SENSIBILITY, THE MANIPULATION BY THE ‘TEMPTRESS’ AND THE ULTIMATE STROKING OF SALACIOUS EGO

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WORKING WITH KATRINA WAS AN ExCITING ExPERIENCE; SHE ALWAYS QUESTIONED HER PROGRESS AND CHALLENGED THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE OUTCOMES

Stuart’s Sweet Smell

of Success!The Product Design course has been working with Collcap, a Leek-based fragrance packaging company for over two years. Last year, responding to one of their live briefs, Stuart Grant designed branding and packaging for his eponymous fine fragrance brand. This project really demonstrates the multi-skilled nature of our students; Stuart made a TV advert with crew and even hired a model, as well as designing the graphics and branding!

The clients were so impressed that they offered Stuart a paid summer placement and asked him to develop his product for production! He was able to “soft-launch” Confidence at the Spring Fair at the NEC in Birmingham and has had interest from a wide range of retailers.

“After being chosen by Collcap Packaging Ltd to do a summer placement in 2013, this has resulted in development of all aspects of learning from, production and manufacturing techniques, graphic design and presentations. Working in-house has helped develop my presentation and communication skills as I was part of weekly product meetings. This has been a fantastic opportunity, the Product Design course has enabled me to launch my own male fragrance brand! I have been able to work freelance for the company during my third year to further develop the brand.”

Katrina Lewis

3rd Prize at the Hand

and Lock CompetitionKatrina Lewis BA (Hons) Textile Surfaces student won 3rd prize in the prestigious global award of the Hand and Lock Competition.

The Hand and Lock Prize for Embroidery began in 2000 and the competition is open to over 1000 colleges and universities throughout the world – it is now one of the world’s premier embroidery prizes with entrants from hundreds of universities and colleges.

Katrina Lewis fought off competition from 100s of other students worldwide to make it through to the final 6 of the Hand and Lock Student Prize for Embroidery. Katy worked hard to create her final piece for the finals in November. “My tutor Colette Dobson was extremely supportive, encouraging me to be experimental, doing things differently by breaking any traditional embroidery rules.”

Hand & Lock are the last remaining couture workshop in Britain, catering for fashion industry clients Chanel and Jimmy Choo as well as embroidering for the Queen herself.

Textile Surfaces Lecturer, Colette Dobson said “Working with Katrina is an exciting experience; she always questioned her progress and challenged the possibilities of the outcomes. To win 3rd prize is a fantastic achievement and a tribute to her skill and commitment and long hours of work.”

To enter, Katrina had to produce a hand-embellished and embroidered garment. At the finals, guests and judges viewed each of the 6 designs before placing their vote for the winning entries.

Fiona Wilson, Award Leader said “It is a great achievement for Katrina to be selected as a finalist from so many entries, and I am extremely proud that she has gone on to win 3rd prize.”

Jemma Moore

Winner of the Portmeirion

Fired Up CompetitionJemma Moore, BA (Hons) Surface Pattern Design student, was this year’s winner of Portmeirion’s (leading homewares company) tableware design competition ‘Fired Up’.

Jemma, fought off competition from over 380 entries across the UK to secure a three-month paid internship with Portmeirion Group in Stoke-on-Trent, £1,000 in cash, plus the potential opportunity to see her winning tableware design manufactured and sold in leading high street retailers.

Jemma, who is from Leicester, impressed the judges, with her Stoke-on-Trent inspired, hot air balloon design.

On being announced the winner of the competition, Jemma said: “I’m over the moon. I never thought that I would actually win.

It will be invaluable working alongside the design team and gaining actual industry experience; I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve also been able to buy myself a Mac with my cash prize which will help me with my final year studies.”

Group sales and marketing director, Phil Atherton, said: “The quality of entries was astounding. From the first stage, Jemma’s unique hot air balloon tableware design inspired by the Stoke-on-Trent landscape captured our attention.

“All the finalist entries demonstrated real talent and design flair and it was difficult picking an overall winner. Jemma’s design demonstrated excellent research, inspiration and commercial awareness and we’re looking forward to welcoming her to the team when she joins us for her three-month placement. “

Third Year students Alicia Cox and Helen Rutter were also selected as finalists and had their work featured on the Portmeirion Facebook pages.

Lego saga continues

for VFX!This year, VFX students and staff worked both day and night designing, rendering and animating in order to showcase two brand new lego shorts! Lego Sherlock Holmes and Lego Batman are due to premier on Friday 13th June in the VFX studios and aim to build upon the success of the last years’ Lego inception, which to date, has acquired more than 1.3 million views worldwide.

The team projects gave the students a great opportunity to demonstrate a wide range of skills and expertise. Amongst the many challenges this year was the application of ‘simulated’ deconstruction and explosives to the mini masterpieces. An amazing achievement by Jan Korenko (Award Leader) and the students.

24 hour Comic ChallengeMany sleepless hours produced some creative and innovative work ranging from numerous characters to absorbing narrative based comics. December hosted the Christmas Draw event in the studio which gave the students the opportunity to produce their own festive comic mural in the studio, followed by drinks and pizza!

IT WILL BE INvALUABLE WORKING ALONGSIDE THE DESIGN TEAM AND GAINING ACTUAL INDUSTRY ExPERIENCE

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Design goes liveThis year, 3D Design students participated in a number of live briefs to include, The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council, Wedgwood Museum Exhibition/souvenir project, Portmeirion and Flux print design competitions.

Following the success of the British Ceramic Biennial, some of our ceramics students undertook voluntary work placements and Jasmine Simpson and Daisy Davies undertook internships to support artist workshops and engage visitors in guided tours.

“Having regular visits from different practising artists has given me opportunities to use materials that I wouldn’t necessarily have chosen. visiting lecturer and professional artist, Drew Markou, has been a big inspiration to me. He is an up and coming artist who has had a lot of recent success in the last year. This has made each lecture exciting as we are learning new techniques and using materials that could set me aside from others when I venture into the design world.” Ashleigh O’Leary - Level 6: BA (Hons) 3D Design: Contemporary Jewellery

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HAvING REGULAR vISITS FROM DIFFERENT PRACTISING ARTISTS HAS GIvEN ME OPPORTUNITIES TO USE MATERIALS THAT I WOULDN’T NECESSARILY HAvE CHOSEN

Wedgwood Museum Project

London and New York Agency ProgrammeAdvertising and Brand Management’s long standing Agency Programme is a highlight for many of our students. The programme is run every year in both London and New York. It consists of three elements; live ‘pitches’, agency tours/talks and portfolio-book critiques.

Four days are spent working inside some of the top advertising and communication agencies in the world. Students are given ‘live’ briefs to work on prior to the programme; with tutor feedback they develop their concepts, which they then ‘pitch’ in a live environment to the agency team.

This hand-on, industry focussed approach to learning gives ABM students vital experience working in the studio environment. It helps with employability skills and gives students a vital insight into the world they are aspiring to be a part of.

The portfolio-book critiques take place in the hosting agency. Here, students get feedback direct from the creative directors or strategists on their work and receive advice on how to get internships or placements in industry.

The final element of the programme includes agency tours and talks. Here students get to ‘feel’ a working agency for the first time and explore the potential roles that ABM students may want to follow after their degree. These include Creative Copywriting, Client Services, Strategy, Art Director or Account Management.

As part of our inclusivity ethos on ABM, the London and New York agency Programme is open to all student years of our degree.

If you’ve always dreamed of pitching your ideas to a Madison Avenue Advertising Agency in New York, that dream may well become a reality.

Advertising and Brand Management students receive feedback after their live pitches to ISOBAR LONDON an international Digital Agency. The Planning team at ISOBAR is now led by former ABM student Shib Hussain.

Advertising and Brand Management students receiving feedback and portfolio critiques from leading branding agency and ABM official partner, Pearlfisher London

EXPERIENCE COUNTS

European Live Brief ProjectAdvertising and Brand Management is a founder member of EDCOM, The European Institute for Commercial Communications Education. Similar courses throughout Europe meet regularly to discuss current issues and exchange best practice.

We have been working with several members for over five years on a joint live brief project, which takes place each year for two weeks in May for second year ABM students. The project is hosted by one of the partners. This gives the students the opportunity to meet their peers from other countries (Holland, Belgium, Austria and Slovenia).

Last year we worked in Ljubljana, Slovenia on a live brief for the Tourist Office to develop a campaign to encourage 18-25 year old travellers to visit Slovenia. The project was a great success and went live.

ABM students gain a great deal from working with students from similar courses from other countries, they exchange working practices as well as making some really good friends and it’s a great addition to their Cv. This year we’re working in Antwerp, Belgium.

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ABM and Flux team up

for London launchLevel 6 Advertising and Brand Management students were selected to be Brand Ambassadors for the Faculty’s successful Flux range of ceramics.

In March 2014, Joe Kaloczi, Jack Lewis, vic Charalambides and Felix Reismann (pictured) attended the London launch at Fortnum and Masons, Piccadilly. Participation by ABM was in response to the successful strategic brand development and communication the students had contributed to Flux.

Here are course tutors with ex-ABM students at Interdisciplinary global design agency The One Off. They currently have four Advertising and Brand Management graduates working with them; three of whom are now in ull time positions after completing their internship with the One Off.

Internship ProgrammeAdvertising and Brand Management have developed an Internship programme with their industry partners offering new graduates a ‘foot in the door’ to industry straight after graduation.

Using their extensive, international network of Adverting and Branding agencies, ABM have numerous placement opportunities available to undergraduates throughout the three-year degree course.

Ranging from 2 weeks to 3 months, these internships allow students to work and experience the agency environment first hand. They get to collaborate on projects within their specific career path such as Creative Copywriting, Client Services, Strategic or Account Management. Students will work on ‘live’ briefs for international brands using both traditional and digital media.

“Internships offer ‘real world’ agency work placements where our students can develop further the skills they learn every day on our course. This work experience is vital to future employability and adds to a Cv when applying for future jobs. ABM have worked hard to offer students a mix of the best possible future work prospects along with a brilliant degree” John Hudson – Senior Lecturer ABM

INTERNSHIPS OFFER ‘REAL WORLD’ AGENCY WORK PLACEMENTS

British Animation

Awards 2014In January 2014 the Animation Department was proud to support the British Animation Awards 2014 by hosting 3 Public Choice Awards screenings.

The screening programmes were a mix of international short films, music videos and commercials entered into the main BAA competition. The series of screenings, overseen by our students were open to all Staffordshire University students, staff and members of the general public, who voted for their favourite films - with the winning film being announced at the Awards Event in March at the BFI, London.

The screenings offered our students a great chance to see a really broad range of animated films, as well as gaining invaluable insight into how a large scale festival and awards event of this kind is run.

In addition to the Public Choice screenings we also hosted a two day ‘Sheep!’ workshop where our students, working in small groups were asked to produce a short animated sting (in 48 hours) for the BAA Sting Competition.

Our very own Senior Lecturer in Animation, Laura Weston was asked by BAA organisers to produce one of her beautiful prints to be presented as a prize at the awards event.

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO FURTHER DEvELOP OUR INDUSTRY LINKS WITHIN OUR ANIMATION AWARDS

“Stoke Calling...”The 25fps@staffs Animation Department trialled a new initiative this year, inviting animation industry professionals and alumni to take part in a series of Q&A sessions delivered through Skype. The initiative led by Senior Lecturer in Animation Laura Weston meant that students had an opportunity to talk directly with industry specialists and ask questions about career pathways, life after graduation, experience opportunities and more.

Participants so far this year have included: Wallace & Gromit Creative Executive and Aardman Director Merlin Crossingham, Pixar animator Allison Rutland, Alumni and Lead Animator at valve Studios Cameron Fiedling, Alumni and Junior Designer at Lego, Denmark Tom Parry and Alumni Lauren Dorling - with lots more Skype sessions planned for the future!

“We are always looking for ways to further develop our industry links within our Animation awards, so by using technology such as Skype it allows us to open doors into worlds that would otherwise be harder to reach.

We are tremendously grateful to the industry members who have afforded us this opportunity - especially when in different time zones!” Animation Award Leader, Stuart Messinger

Laura with the winner of her award, Nick Smalley from Glassworks VFX at the BAA Awards evening at the BFI in London.

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Industry experts sketch out the graduate futureThis year saw Cartoon & Comic Arts inviting a wide range of industry professionals to talk to students about possible avenues into the creative industry.

Neil Gibson – T Publication – web based comics and the fastest and number one selling comic on the Kindle “Twisted Sister”.

John Charles – MarvelUK – 2000AD – Delivered a range of lessons from character concept, page layout, pencilling, inking and digital painting sessions to students.

Kevin Gunstone – Markosi Comics – Delivered a script writing master class.

Frazer Irving – Marvel Uncanny xmen – DC Batman & Robin – talked candidly about his life as a comic book artist, the downs and the many ups!

Fig Taylor – Portfolio consultant for the Association of Illustrators. She delivered and extremely useful lecture to both Cartoon and Comic Arts and Illustration students about what they should put in their portfolios and some top tips about getting employed in the creative industry.

Graham Humphries – Horror Poster Artwork – Evil Dead – Nightmare on Elm Street and storyboard artist gave an overview of his area of expertise and where to look out for his work in future.

Jaque McEntee – Games Concept Designer, helped students with a computer aided session in developing new styles and techniques for the games industry.

Laura Evans

MA Creative FuturesWhilst studying on the MA Creative Futures in 2013, Laura Evans was offered a volunteer post at Epic Arts, an international inclusive arts NGO based in Cambodia for 6 months. 12 months later she is still employed as the Arts Advisor and Senior Manager for the Cambodia office.

Laura says “It was Epic Arts unique attitude and approach to creating an inclusive society through the arts that drew me in”.

She is now starting her final project which will be a case study into inclusive arts at Epic Arts in Cambodia. Laura says: ”I want to delve in to the hearts and minds of the people who deliver, participate in and who are affected by the inclusive arts work that Epic Arts does, in order that I may be able to clearly identify the inclusive arts vision of the organisation.”

Laura’s final project will link with a planned UK tour with their professional, inclusive performance team ‘Epic Encounters’ in November 2014. She is also keen to involve more UK students to join the project in the future. “I am always looking for arts based volunteers to come and do a placement at our purpose built centre in Kampot, Cambodia.”

The Chase for

Royle approvalFinal year Graphic Design students received an insight into The Chase - Manchester + London creative agency, from Creative Director Steve Royle.

For the second consecutive year, Steve kindly accepted the opportunity to set third year students a very challenging brief in order to fulfil the ‘Answering an External Brief’ part of the curriculum - which aims to give the students an opportunity to work on an industry led project, whilst employing their skills, talent and visual communication knowledge, that is written, driven and overseen by professional specialists.

This is also a great opportunity for students to add to their portfolio with additional professional work - not to mention the chance to have regular tutorials with the creative director of a design studio that was voted number one in the Design Week Creative League Table and responsible for some of the best creative work in the industry today.

Creative input = creative outputLevel 6 Graphic Design students hosted an exhibition based on the theme of ‘Advice’ at Kosmonaut in Manchester in March. The event was a huge success and attracted design studios from across the region. The work, which was specifically designed for the show, included advice/tips on topics as diverse as regional dialect, food, employment, household cleaning, philosophy and design itself.

Included in the exhibition was an advice board so that visitors could respond directly to the students - and they did so with humour and some great tips on getting into the industry. Amongst the design studios that attended were Music, Transmission, Reform, Design by Day, Havas Lynx, Textbook Studio, Neomam Studios, Future Everything, Momentum and The Chase.

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Staffordshire in a FLUXGraphic Design students were faced with the challenge of re-branding and designing new communications materials to re-position the University’s innovative ‘Flux’ company, which designs and manufactures English fine bone China.

Established in 2011, Flux has rapidly established itself as a serious player within the premium tableware market, with a growing market in Paris, the Middle East and Beverley Hills to name but a few outlets. Grant Mitchell (Transmission) was instrumental in guiding the students, passing on his experience to help them visually reflect the brand’s growing burgeoning global reputation and confidence, culminating in a presentation to the Flux team including Professor David Sanderson and Directors of the brand team from Belgium.

Students visited the excellent British Ceramics Biennial exhibition at the original Spode factory site in Stoke for inspiration. Week-by-week, the students were pushed to think about how best to answer the brief and connect with multiple audiences in order to create a stimulating, relevant and engaging vision to promote Flux.

An extremely demanding role for the students, great strides were made in their development as designers, and the brand team from Belgium were very impressed with everything they saw.

The Flux project also drew upon expertise from Product Design and Advertising and Brand Management students who presented to the Flux team and fellow students. A select team of students are now working on further development and design of promotional material which will be produced later in the year.

Grant commented: “I think the students have certainly given Flux food for thought and I’ve really enjoyed working with such a talented, hard-working group of design students”.

A GROWING MARKET IN PARIS, THE MIDDLE EAST AND BEvERLEY HILLS

FOR ME IT WAS A DREAM-COME-TRUE TO MEET MY PHOTOGRAPHY HERO IN THE FLESH

‘High RANKIN hero’ Mention the name Rankin and you might think of magazine spreads, beautiful celebrities and perhaps a touch of arrogance, but as first year BA (Hons) Photojournalism student Amy Sheldon discovered, the photographer behind the name is not as stereotypical as you might imagine.

Amy cites Rankin’s work as the reason for her decision to pursue her studies, so it’s little wonder that when she heard he would be giving a talk at The Photography Show in Birmingham she jumped at the chance of going.

“After an impressive presentation of Rankin’s best work, the talk got underway”. says Amy.

“I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the information I needed as a student trying to get into the industry”.

“Finally some top-secret tips were shared on how to get the best portraits out of people”.

“For example, a good tip is to tell your subject that the camera is a window for them to communicate through to get great expressions”.

“Rankin kept it simple,” says Amy, “and talked straight and to the point about his images, which I found quite refreshing and real”.

“For me it was a dream-come-true to meet my photography hero in the flesh and worth every penny. He even had time for a handshake and a picture at the end”.

Bradley is leagues aheadBradley Hadwin, a second year BA (Hons) Photojournalism student, has been pursuing his dream job of one day shooting premier league football by working closely with the sport’s foremost development charity.

Since November Bradley has been working with the League Football Education (LFE) organisation after an introduction through the University’s photojournalism course.

“It has been a great opportunity to photograph promising young football talent, and getting your work out there is a real bonus,” says Bradley.

Bradley shot the next generation of hopefuls at games involving Everton, Wolves, Port vale, Cardiff and Sheffield United. His work frequently appears on LFE’s own online magazine ‘Touchline’.

The LFE was set up in 2004 by the Football League and Professional Football Association to deliver the Apprenticeships in Sporting Excellence programme to all league clubs in the country.

The LFE is responsible for the education of young aspiring football players at football clubs all over the country. As well as the apprenticeship scheme the charity also provides health and wellbeing seminars.

Throughout his time with League Football Education Bradley has photographed football games and events held by the LFE for the young players as well as training sessions and workshops, including one with former Premiership footballer Fabrice Muamba.

“This has been a great experience,” says Bradley. “Working with the LFE has given me the knowledge, confidence and contacts I need to pursue my dream.”

WORKING WITH THE LFE HAS GIvEN ME THE KNOWLEDGE, CONFIDENCE AND CONTACTS I NEED TO PURSUE MY DREAM

Fabrice Muamba

Wolverhampton Wanderers v EvertonProduct Design students visit Evoke Interactive

Evoke InteractiveGraduates of our long-running Product Design course returned for our annual live project with Evoke Interactive! Dean Ward, Evoke’s Design Director and Ben Jones, industrial designer returned to Staffs to launch this year’s project to design a new interactive retail kiosk.

The project saw our second year students working alongside the company, before presenting their designs to the directors. A summer placement was offered to the student with the best work giving them valuable industry experience. Both Dean and Ben are graduates of our Product Design course.

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Photojournalism Newsweek All three years of the BA (Hons) Photojournalism course recently had the chance to work together on producing a newspaper showcasing their work. The week long collaboration saw the third year students act as editors, coordinating teams into the various departments found in industry: news, pictures, features, sport, opinion, sub editing and design.

The students titled the publication FACT, a reference to the aspirations of journalism to seek out the truth and to the name of the faculty within which the Photojournalism award sits, the Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies.

The process of working on the newspaper not only provided the opportunity to highlight the best work already carried out by the three year groups but also to work in a ‘live’ working environment with students working on news stories as they happened.

Based in the award’s dedicated newsroom, the bustling atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop to experience real world challenges.

Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural graduate publication, the newspaper will also be home to the final project work of this year’s graduates, occupying a separate central pull out section of the paper.

Editor Lily Hartley says: “Newsweek was a great opportunity for all three year groups to work together to produce a printed publication that we can be proud of.”

The paper will be freely available from mid-May.

Product Design

Linzi Spiers at

Longshawe Product designers get to work on a wide range of different briefs, from furniture to electronics, toys to tableware.

The students are not only responsible for the design, development and manufacture of their concepts but often also work on branding, packaging and marketing. In their annual project with Longshawe, a Staffordshire based cosmetics company, Linzi Spiers combined all of these elements perfectly in her design for a mens grooming range, BlackBox. Linzi impressed John McDermott, Longhshawe MD and the team to earn herself a summer placement at the company where she will be working on a variety of creative projects.

Linzi says: “The experience of working with a company such as Longshawe was a fantastic opportunity. It gave us the chance to initially work on three interesting live briefs as well as opportunities to visit the Longshawe studio and factory space for both the initial briefing and also for an interim critique. This project was interesting as it encouraged us, not only to focus on product design, but also to consider the name and branding behind it. The experience gained from working with live clients in industry is extremely beneficial towards our futures as designers, and as the winner of the live project I am very excited to be working there this summer.”

Product and Transport Design

Students are on fire!Our new live project partner, Carmichael, challenged our Transport Design students to re-design their Cobra airport fire truck. Based in Worcester, Carmichael manufacture fire trucks which are used around the world. Students visited Carmichael headquarters and Manchester Airport to experience what it is like to operate these vehicles before designing their own and presenting their concepts to Engineering Manager Peter Wood.

“As a well established UK fire vehicle producer with a worldwide reputation for producing quality bespoke vehicles, it was both exciting and a pleasure for Amdac-Carmichael to be part of a project that would help inspire young transport designers.

Our desire was to give the students an insight into the processes and design considerations that are involved in producing new cutting edge fire fighting vehicles for an extremely demanding market using state of the art materials and techniques.

We had an excellent response to our design challenge with some high quality work and a wide variety of solutions being submitted by the students, ranging from “safe and secure” to the “novel and thought provoking”. Peter Wood: Engineering Manager – Amdac Carmichael

“The Carmichael project was a great learning experience as we had the chance to visit both the Carmichael factory and Manchester Airport where we were able to look at their existing fire trucks and speak to the crew gaining vital primary research. The design and model making stage of my concept vehicle was challenging but having the opportunity to work with industry has been very beneficial and an exciting project to work on”. Jack Corrie: 2nd Year Transport Design Student

THE EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM WORKING WITH LIVE CLIENTS IN INDUSTRY IS EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL Carmichael firetruck concept

by Jack Corrie

Students visit Carmichael’s Worcester factory

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The drive to succeedThe BA(Hons) Transport Design course continues to work very closely with leading lights from the car industry.

Our final year students this year were lucky to have a mock interview with Andy Plumb from MG (Shanghai Automotive) as part of Design Futures, our Employability module.

Andy has been associated with the course for a number of years, while he was a designer at Bentley in Crewe. He has also worked for volkswagen in California, Jaguar Land Rover, and Tata. He works as an Alias designer, Alias being the standard design software in the car industry. This year he also came to do an all-day Alias masterclass, with 2nd and 3rd years, to further extend their skills.

Another of our Associate Lecturers is George Bowen from Bentley.

Award Leader Hugh Williamson said “We are lucky to have George teaching on the course every week. George lectures on the Automotive Skills module, where his input includes sketching, rendering and Photoshop skills. For the students to get this close one-to-one contact with a designer from industry is fantastic!!”.

Also working with the Transport students is Tim Potts. Tim teaches automotive clay modelling, a very specialized skill where industrial plasticine is used to realise vehicle designs in three dimensions. Despite the use of advanced 3D modelling software, the car industry still insists on full size clay models, finished to look like the real thing. Tim Potts has also worked at Bentley in Crewe, although his background is in ceramic design and sculptor. The two parts of Tim’s life have come together now as he is an approved supplier to Bentley. His amazing sculptures were on the Bentley stand at the Geneva Motor Show in March!

L-R: Jemma Moore, Charlotte Deaville and Zahra Akthar

How to get into the car industry – a talk from car designers Andy Plumb and George Bowen

George Bowen, Senior Designer at Bentley talks students through design Issues

Work Placements with

Hallmark CardsA live project brief set by Creative Art Director, Emma Greaves from Hallmark, resulted in 4 work placements being awarded this year to second and third year students from BA (Hons) Surface Pattern Design and BA (Hons) Textile Surfaces. Second year students, Alix Webb, Charlotte Deaville, and Zahra Akthar and third year student Jemma Moore will undertake a two week placement at Hallmark Cards design studios in West Yorkshire over the summer.

Emma Greaves visited the University to set a project to create a new range of cards and gift wrap and returned 3 weeks later to hear the students present their ideas. “It was very difficult to choose as the standard was so high, however we finally came to a decision and that was to award 4 placements instead of 2! Everyone did so well and we will certainly be watching what everyone’s doing over the next year, so keep up the good work”. Fiona Wilson, Award Leader commented “I am really proud of all our students, who worked extremely hard and produced work of such a professional standard that Hallmark awarded more placements than originally intended.”

Engagement with

the creative and

cultural industriesRTT, a German CGI leader in professional high-end 3D visualization in real-time visited VFX: Visual Effects and Concept Design award.

Students had the opportunity to benefit from various talks regarding film and commercial projects, different approaches and techniques, establishing valuable professional links and preparing to meet industry expectations. Simon Stirrup (3D artist at RTT and vFx graduate 2012) and Franz Brandstaetter (Managing Director at RTT) spent an entire afternoon discussing current students’ projects, providing professional advice and critique on their work.

Art and Science in perfect harmonyVFX: Visual Effects and Concept Design has been collaborating with Staffordshire University’s Science Centre, working together on a government funded research project to analyse and visualize the Welsh countryside and its cultural development. It was the task of the VFX department to generate 3D visualization of the vast area.

This project has allowed our students to take the lead on a live project and integrate new practice and skills in their workflow in addition to learning new software and techniques. As part of the project, vFx have also developed a comprehensive library of various tree and plant species in hi-res 3D, in addition to extensive research and development of an accurate and topographically correct realistic environment.

Project supervision was overseen by Award Leader Jan Korenko. R&D and integration was managed by Kristof Rosu with the help of assistant 3D artist Samuel Caprani and Jack Simpson. The project is ongoing and continues to take art and science to new heights.

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OUT AND ABOUT

In February, staff and students visited Ambiente in Frankfurt, which is one of the largest Design Product Trade Fairs in the world. Ambiente is the meeting place for the international market. Around 140,000 trade visitors from 143 countries, including numerous top decision makers, come to Ambiente each year to order their product selection. Over 4,700 exhibitors from 81 countries benefit from the optimal hall organisation of the Dining, Giving and Living areas as well as a wealth of synergy effects. As the most important consumer goods trade fair, Ambiente is the central forum for the industry – and a major platform for the contract sector and sourcing. Here is where business partners, ideas and success come together.

“It was truly inspirational for the students to have access to such a broad range of design trends and discover the globalised approach to design product marketing” said 3D Design Award Leader: Rajesh Gogna. Students also went on a research trip to the NEC Spring Fair International trade show which attracts the best retailers around the UK and abroad for five full days of action-packed buying. Key buyers included John Lewis, Selfridges, Harrods, Marks & Spencer, Fortnum & Mason, Bentalls, Fenwicks, Amazon, Camp Hopson, Debenhams, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser, TK Maxx, Next, BHS and River Island. The students gained industry knowledge to understand the process of how buyers seek out the latest trends for the retail market and gain an insight into product branding, marketing and pricing.

Industry visits this year included factory tours of Weston Beamor, Jewellery Design and manufacturing company based in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. Ceramics industry visits included the Wedgwood Museum, Dudson and the British Ceramics Biennial located within the heart of the Potteries, Stoke-On-Trent.

Students also visited a broad range of Design shows this year such as 100% Design, Collect Exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London, Goldsmiths’ Fair London, Tent London, The Great Northern Design Crafts Exhibition in Manchester and Dazzle Jewellery Exhibition in Manchester.

RBSA gallery

Frankfurt trip to Ambiente

IT WAS TRULY AN INSPIRATION FOR THE STUDENTS TO HAvE ACCESS TO SUCH A BROAD RANGE OF DESIGN TRENDS

Inspiring Innovation3D Design students have been on a number of Design Trade show, Gallery, Museum and Exhibition visits.

America Trip 2014 -

25fps@staffs goes

International!In February the Animation Department went international when 24 of our students and Animation Award Leader Stuart Messinger went to San Francisco and Los Angeles, California.

During the 10 day educational and cultural trip our animators visited Pixar Animation Studios, the Academy Award winning Walt Disney Animation Studios, The Walt Disney Family Museum, stop motion studio Screen Novelties and the California Institute of The Arts.

All of these visits gave our students a very privileged behind the scenes view of these industry leading studios, allowing them to develop a first-hand understanding of the global animation industries as well as continuing to develop an international network of contacts.

Of course, they also found time for a theme park ride or two, massive ice-cream-sundaes, great Mexican food, Alcatraz Prison and Hollywood Boulevard during Oscars week!

“It was a truly amazing trip – the likes of which I hope to be able to offer to students in the future.” Award Leader: Stuart Messinger

“It was a privilege to visit Pixar and tour around the studio and seeing the animators working in their creative environments. Seeing the studio and meeting the animators I realized that I didn’t feel inadequate but calm, knowing that the employees who work in this amazing studio were just normal people!” Praveen Zacharias, final year student talks of his experience at Pixar Animation Studio

“I’ll cherish the moments Eric Goldberg told us about his work on the Oscar nominated short ‘Get a Horse’ or Bill Schwab on being a character designer on ‘Frozen’! It was an invaluable experience that I will take with me when I leave University.” Richard Smithson, final year student talks of his experience at Walt Disney Animation Studio

“This trip gave me a lot of inspiration, motivation and it made me find my focus. It was good seeing how far you can go if you work hard, together with the inspiration that makes you feel it is possible. It is making the hard work more fun.” Nanna Nilsson Hallberg, First Year student

Pixar Animation Studios San Francisco

25fps@staffs Animation students outside the Walt Disney Animation Studios, Los Angeles

IT WAS A PRIvILEGE TO vISIT PIxAR AND TOUR AROUND THE STUDIO AND SEEING THE ANIMATORS WORKING IN THEIR CREATIvE ENvIRONMENTS

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OUT AND ABOUT | 34 / 35

California dreamin’FACT students had the opportunity to attend a 10 day residential visit to California in late February, choosing to take part in various cultural and creatively based visits that included a group visit to Alcatraz, cycling the Golden Gate Bridge in sunny San Francisco, and taking in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in (surprisingly rainy!) Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art was a highlight for some, who took in diverse exhibitions ranging from Hockney’s film work to Oshiro’s high fidelity sculptures. Some students such as Steph Wyse BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship in Theatre Arts, arranged placements while they were out there: Steph says “The trip was really inspirational and having now completed a short internship in an educational theatre company in Los Angeles, I have international contacts and am considering looking at options for working abroad when I graduate.”

Students were lucky enough to take part in a studio visit to Walt Disney, and a trip to CalArts completed the educational programme for some of the Animation students, where they took part in a tour of the campus and evening guest lectures.

No trip to California was complete without a trip to Disneyland, and many of the students enjoyed a fantastic final day in the park, before flying back to continue with their studies.

Andrew Hall (MA Creative Futures: Graphics) summed up the trip, stating it was a “great experience that allowed a glimpse into the American culture, and an understanding of why so many designers, performers and artists set up studios in the States, often with great success.”

I HAvE INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS AND AM CONSIDERING LOOKING AT OPTIONS FOR WORKING ABROAD WHEN I GRADUATE

To Comic Con and Beyond! The beginning of October saw 3rd year students head off to the New York Comic Con. This delivered an indepth look at the industry across the Atlantic and also showed the differences between the UK and US comic culture!

The 1st year Cartoon and Comic Arts students headed to London in October. During their brief stay they were introduced to cartoonist Stephen Marchant at the London Cartoon and Comic Museum, before heading off to a comic book party at Gosh Comics in Soho and finally onto MCM Comic Con in Greenwich. At the MCM they found 3rd and 2nd year students from the University running their own stalls and had a chance to see them in action.

Midlands Comic Con is an independent comic convention held in Telford and students organised their own one day

visit to run stalls with friends at the event. A big proportion of the Artist Alley at the convention was Staffordshire University students!

March saw the University heading off to London Super Comic Con to sell a new batch of work produced by Cartoon and Comic Arts, Illustration and Games Design students as part of their visual Storytelling module.

2014 also saw 2nd Year Cartoon students being given the opportunity to sell their work at the MCM Expo Comic Con in May. The cohort was split into 2 teams who attempted to outsell one another, in an Apprentice style module.

visits to the Potteries museum and Spode Factory works allow students to draw a range of items in location and develop their drawing abilities.

The Long Road Project 2013The Long Road Project was designed to allow students and staff of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies at Staffordshire University an opportunity to respond to the works in the ARTIST ROOMS RICHARD LONG exhibition at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery.

Between the 25 and 27 October 2013, fifteen University students and staff from four Award areas – Fine Art, Animation, Photography and Music Technology, embarked on a 3 day residential retreat to Ilam Park in the Peak District.

Working closely with lead artist Tim Knowles, the students used a range of exploration methods to form ideas and responses to the landscape – using collected practises as artists, animators, photographers and musicians culminating in site-responsive art works that were exhibited alongside Richard Long’s work at the Potteries Museum between February and March 2014.

The Long Road Project was the result of a working partnership between Staffordshire University, The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery and AirSpace Gallery in Hanley.

“The experience was really refreshing and rewarding. It allowed me to get out of the studio, to step away from technology and totally out of my comfort zone.” Final year Animation Student – Praveen Zacharias

“It is so peaceful and quiet. I can hear birdsong. This environment makes me want to sit down and let time pass. I want to do nothing whilst listening to everything.” Postcard from Ilam: 12:29PM, 25th October 2013

The Long Road Project participants - staff and Students from FACT

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THE ExPERIENCE WAS REALLY REFRESHING AND REWARDING

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4 Designers ConferenceGraphic Design and Illustration students gained invaluable insight from exciting and cutting edge designers at the 4 Designers conference in London’s Leicester Square, where there was a great line up of industry experts speaking about their influences and showing their work on the big screen.

Patrick Baglee, founder of 4 Designers back in 1999, kick-started the event and shared his background in design and how he started in the industry.

First up on stage was Tom Adams from FutureBrand. Tom is a brand strategist with international experience and spoke about social technology and digital innovation being at the heart of FutureBrand’s thinking and work as well as the importance of knowing your purpose as a designer and how working with others is critical in developing great ideas.

Students then heard from Morag Myerscough about her award-winning Studio Myerscough, a multi-disciplinary practice best known for its work ensuring graphics are powerfully integrated into architectural settings. Her work, and personal approach to design have made her stand out as one of the most significant figures in British design over the last twenty or more years.

The first morning was rounded off with a drinks reception at Graphic Bar which gave speakers and group leaders the opportunity to talk and debate outside the conference room.

Tuesday morning began with a welcome from Patrick and a summary of Monday’s session before James Cannell from Pret a Manger took to the stage. As creative director, James is responsible for retaining the creative voice of the brand and discussed the brand’s tone of voice and take on food as a result of his background as a designer, writer and creative director. James wowed the audience with the opportunity for them to submit their work in a competition for a summer internship.

Attendees were then inspired by Greg Quinton of The Partners who discussed his work in maintaining The Partners creative reputation and the quality of the work of the studio across its London, New York and Singapore offices.

The conference ended with a lively question time and the best 3 questions asked received a prize! One of our first year students in Graphic Design - Alicja Mrozicka received a large print from The Partners!

Cheltenham Design FestivalInnovation and creativity are at the heart of the unique Cheltenham Design Festival - created to show how good design can make a difference to business, our daily lives and the world. Graphic Design and Illustration students attended for the third year running and listened to the wisdom and advice from some the nation’s leading creative practitioners.

Speakers included Morag Myerscough, Jim Sutherland, Tom Roope, D&AD President Laura Jordan Bambach, Erik Kessels (KesselsKramer), Nick Eagleton (The Partners) and Ian Anderson (The Designers Republic) who shared their unique blend of innovative design philosophy, enlightening inspiration and stimulating insight into what makes good design.

Topics covered included branding, freelancing, addictive ‘content’, business start-ups, the joy of design, storytelling, new technology, the manufacturing process, 3D printing, installation work, exhibitions, social entertainment, unconventional visual language and of course, originality.

The students also had the opportunity to attend workshops and network with other creatives from education and industry in the two day event held in the birthplace of the Superdry brand.

Stoke City to

New York CityWith just a few weeks into the new semester Staffordshire students ventured off to the Big Apple!!!! Graphic Design and Cartoon and Comic Arts students crossed the pond to visit New York! On the agenda was Times Square, MoMA, Central Park, Empire State Building, Staten Island Ferry, Greenwich Village, New York High Line, Forbidden Planet, Broadway and Ground Zero.....but more importantly New York Comic Convention and visits to some amazing Graphic Design studios!

Bandujo, Madwell, Watson & Co and Hello Monday played host to Graphic Design students and imparted some excellent knowledge, experience and insight into their work, studios and what they consider to be the important aspects for students to consider when compiling their portfolios.

Many thanks go out to these studios who spent valuable time, energy, enthusiasm and passion in their talks and presentations which were extremely informative, honest, thorough and reflective of the dedication to their craft and expertise. Their guidance and advice was well received - so much so that some students are considering moving to New York on completion of their degree!!!

Northern ExposureIn the space of the first 12 weeks of this academic year Graphic Design and Illustration students tackled self promotion, contextual and theoretical studies, branding, packaging, marketing, wood- plastics-digital software-metal- laser cutter-letterpress-screenprinting-lifedrawing-workshops, themed and competition briefs, advertising and motion graphics... they definitely packed a lot in.

Level 6 students also ventured ‘up north’ to Manchester - visiting GLORIOUS CREATIvE, THE CHASE, TRANSMISSION, HAvAS LYNx AND MUSIC, all of whom welcomed them and spent valuable time talking through their work, philosophy and offering advice. It was time well spent and the students will never forget what a great experience it was.

Mike Emerson (2013 Graphic Design graduate, now employed at The Chase) shared his knowledge and experience with the students in his own, unique style and joined the students at Craig Oldham’s new book launch - ‘The Hand Written Project’. This gave the students the opportunity to share a few drinks with likeminded creatives and network with Manchester’s great and good. Staffordshire Graphic Design graduates from Havas Lynx and Reform also joined them.

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Exciting Exchange for

BA (Hons) Media Film

Production and

BA (Hons) Experimental

Film Production students!In February Joe Medlock (BA (Hons) Media/Film Production) and Stephanie Steventon (Experimental Film Production) set off to spend a semester of their studies at Escola Universitaria ERAM in Girona, Spain. Award Leader, Daniel Hopkins, asked Joe some questions about how the experience has been going so far.

“The experience is awesome. You get to see and do loads of things you wouldn’t normally be able to do. The weather is always nice and it’s just interesting to experience a culture which is so different to ours.

We’re studying audio visual design. It’s a bit of everything. We do script writing, advanced post production which is teaching us Final Cut Pro x, we have a class about making adverts, a creativity class which is all about experimenting with different mediums to create something new and different, photography, and also we have a class on Adobe After Effects.

The lectures are very different to what we’re used to. They have early starts and end really late. Like 6 or 7:30pm. It also has workshops, which run throughout the week that include a lot of creativity. The lessons normally run for about 4 hours and you’ll only have one 15 minute break

in that time, but you’ll get used to the workflow.

The language barrier isn’t that difficult. The other students have a pretty good understanding of English, so they can always help you along during classes. And most of the lecturers can speak English. Outside the classroom we find most places can understand small bits of English, so long as you use hand signals and point at things. But the Catalan lessons we have once a week are helping a lot.”

The Erasmus Exchange is run between the BA (Hons) Media/Film Production Awards at Staffordshire University and Audio-visual Design Course at Escola Universitaria ERAM, Girona.

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London through the Lense“The London trip is integral to the course,” says BA (Hons) Photojournalism award leader, Rachel MacHaffie. “Students benefit hugely from visits to working photojournalists, exhibitions, studios, and events at the cutting edge of contemporary practice such as the Frontline Club.”

Established in 2003, the Frontline Club hosts a variety of debates and documentary screenings that bring together many of the world’s best journalists, photographers, filmmakers and thinkers.

‘The Battle for the Future of Ukraine’ panel debate, covered cutting edge thinking about the conflict in the Ukraine and was chaired by Paddy O’Connell of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House. “This gave students the opportunity to mingle with those directly involved with the industry and debate questions of ethics with industry insiders” says Rachel.

Students also took part in a guided tour at the Photographers’ Gallery and a tour of the Guardian Newspaper with a rare talk to the students by Roger Tooth head of Pictures. On top of this, the students were treated to tea by the Picture Editor of The Sunday Express on the balcony of the Northern and Shell building. Later in the week they had the chance to produce their own large-scale exhibition print at the acclaimed Print Space in London’s photography heartland.

As for next year’s programme, other capitals of industry excellence are being considered. “We are committed to seeing the best of the world’s most important work across Europe’s photographic centres, whether that’s Berlin, Barcelona, New York or London,” says Rachel.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO SEEING THE BEST OF THE WORLD’S MOST IMPORTANT WORK ACROSS EUROPE’S PHOTOGRAPHIC CENTRES

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Hosting 136 galleries including 1,500 photographers, 28 new participants and 28 publishers specialising in photography books, the show highlighted photographic talent from around the globe. It’s a melting pot of photographic talent and an ideal place for the aspiring photographer to make connections and chase that much sought after breakthrough. Here is the place where names are chiselled into photographic history, in the city that has contributed much to photography since the first daguerreotype plates were formed.

In November 2013, students from both Staffordshire University’s Photography and Photojournalism courses visited Paris for 3 nights. This was a great opportunity for the students to sample contemporary and historical Parisian visual culture. The students had a two-day pass to the Paris Photo Exhibition where they were free to observe all the galleries and also were able to interact with professional photographers from the world’s top agencies. “Trips to large events such as this are becoming more and more important for photojournalists as their work is increasingly seen in the gallery environment” says Award Leader for Photojournalism, Rachel McHaffie.

“The trip to Paris is a great opportunity to see top quality work being made by photographers from across the world,” says Senior Lecturer Kate Newton. “Paris Photo showcases not just the contemporary but also allows the students a chance to see iconic images close-up, that might be discussed in lectures.”

THE TRIP TO PARIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SEE TOP QUALITY WORK BEING MADE BY PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD

A Picture Of ParisParis, the well-known ‘City of Love’, is known for its beautiful architecture, such as the Arc De Triomphe, The Notre Dame Cathedral and the Hotel De Ville. It is also home to the Grand Palais, where the Paris Photo exhibition was held last November. The international art fair of photography is held annually and allows photographers, businesses and publishers to exhibit their work.

Design practice

goes TransatlanticVisits to two leading design consultancies were this year’s highlights for the BA (Hons) Product Design annual trip to London.

First year students visited both PreistmanGoode and Therefore to get a valuable insight to the industry. PreistmanGoode designed the virgin Pendolino and continues to work on projects for Airbus, HS2 and most recently a space capsule. Therefore are an award winning product design consultancy with a portfolio of Blue Chip clients including TomTom, Braun, Samsonite and M&S.

Another great trip, to New York, resulted in visits to Ecco & Smart Design, both leading practitioners in industrial Design. The staff made us very welcome, and gave us a tour of their studios, followed by a presentation and a Q & A session.

Award Leader Hugh Williamson commented: “These visits really help our students understand the global nature of design practice, and the opportunities that are available.”

VFXVFX: Visual Effects and Concept Design students and staff visited Framestore and MPC, leading visual effects production houses in Soho, London.

We had a fantastic time seeing various presentations and breakdowns of industry work, career development, showreel advice as well as taking part in valuable discussions and Q&A.

THESE vISITS REALLY HELP OUR STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE GLOBAL NATURE OF DESIGN PRACTICE

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I HAD A GREAT TIME AT STAFFS. I WAS ALLOWED TO BE CREATIvE

WHILE LEARNING AND BEING

SUPPORTED

Helen Barnes directing X-FactorBEYOND UNIVERSITY

Beth Millard

BA (Hons) Media Film

Production Graduate 2013

Researching gadgets for

the Gadget Show!Beth Millard graduated from BA (Hons) Media Film Production last year and now works as a researcher for a Channel 5 programme The Gadget Show. Beth has to research into the latest and newest technology available on the market today. She works alongside the director where they identify which new technology to test, how to test it and why. It is then Beth’s job to get this technology in for the show, test it, review it and then present it to her producer who will have the final say on which tech gets chosen.

Once all this has happened Beth then has to start setting up the shoot which involves her researching and confirming locations, getting contributors and props and dressing the loaction/studio.

The Gadget Show production schedule is very tight and the turnaround per episode is usually 4-5 days, which makes it a very exciting environment to work in.

, Helen Barnes BA (Hons) Media (Film) Production graduate Helen Barnes has carved out a successful career since graduation, culminating in a Director’s job for the X-Factor at ITV.

Helen graduated in 1999 and as a direct result of the Design Futures module, which involves applying for jobs, she won a place on Endemol’s creative intern scheme in London. At Endemol she developed new formats and worked on shows including the Big Brother launch.

Since then Helen has worked her way up to Producer/ Director and has been involved in a variety of shows including Pop Idol, I’m A Celebrity..., Big Brother, Hell’s Kitchen and Strictly Come Dancing.

Helen says: “I had a great time at Staffs, I was allowed to be creative while learning and being supported and I have continued to build on the skills I learnt there in my professional life. In recent years I’ve been back to talk about life post-University and the department has continued to grow and improve, I found it an exciting, creative and cutting edge place to be.”

BA (Hons) Product Design student Ryan Mein presents his concepts to Ben Jones (left) and Dean Ward

Ryan Bloodworth

BA (Hons) Product Design

working in Switzerland“All the skills that I developed at University are still at the core of my approach to any project from researching to sketching, to design development to modelling be it digital or hard modelling. Perhaps of greatest importance, was the skill of being able to concisely and efficiently communicate my ideas to colleagues and clients”. Ryan Bloodworth – Alias Designer Scott Sports, Switzerland

Ryan previously worked for the Ford studio in Germany, and now applies his skills to bikes, helmets and goggles.

Reece Oglesby

Freelance yacht design 2013 BA (Hons) Transport Design graduate Reece Oglesby is now working as a freelance transport designer. He is currently working for leading yacht designer Andrew Trujillo, where he has been involved with a number of exciting projects including a fast catamaran and a 25m racing yacht!

Reece commented “Although my real passion is cars, I’ve realized that the Transport course has given me a wide range of transferable skills, which can lead to employment in all sorts of industries. The experience with Andrew Trujillo Design has really opened my eyes to other possibilities!”

BA (Hons) Product Design

Ben gets Interactive“The Product Design course at Staffs was great fun and invaluable. With no creative boundaries, I was encouraged to be as conceptual as possible. It was really encouraging to see my skillset continually improve through tutorials from both the teaching team, and visiting lecturers from the creative industries.

In the third year I focused more on tangible design, and worked concept designs to fully-fledged products that were ready for production. Looking back at my first year projects, I can clearly see how I improved and became more professional over time.

I would recommend Staffordshire University as, at the end of the course, I had a lot to offer a prospective employer. I started work in the industry straight after graduation and now work as a product designer for Evoke Interactive. It’s such a buzz seeing your products come to life and out and onto the high street.”

Ben Jones: BA(Hons) Product Design – graduated in 2012, and is now working as a product designer with leading interactive kiosk solutions company, Evoke Interactive.

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Julia Jowett

Graduate Success with

the Crafts CouncilFirst class BA (Hons) Surface Pattern Design graduate of 2011 and studio artist at Unit Twelve Gallery, Stafford, Julia Jowett was selected for the Crafts Council Hothouse programme 2014 for selected makers this year.

Hothouse selects the brightest new craft talent from across the UK and provides them with a tailor-made six-month programme of creative and business support. The Hothouse scheme is for makers within two years of setting up their business who already display a high level of technical craftsmanship and originality and need support for the next phase of their business and creative development.

Thirty eight makers from across the UK have been selected to embark on the Hothouse scheme and be delivered via four regional cohorts (South West, North, East and London). Julia is one of ten makers representing the East and West Midlands region.

Her illustrative practice explores the importance of storytelling and imagination. She draws with wire, pencil and stitch; intricately working dense areas of traditional embroidery and needlepoint stitches into metal gauzes and figuratively manipulated wire lines. Julia combines hand-embroidered wire-work with observational drawing and screen printing techniques onto fabric and paper grounds to create contemporary art pieces. Drawing on folk tales, childhood stories and surreal imaginings, she harnesses instinctive feelings and traditional craft processes to create considered folkloric narratives that intrigue.

Beni Wibisono

Junior Designer at Watermark PublishingBeni Wibisono a graduate in 2013 from BA (Hons) Surface Pattern Design, now has her dream job at Watermark Publishing, after being seen at New Designers last summer…

“Things have been going great since I moved and started working at Watermark. It’s been nearly been 6 months and the time’s flown by but looking back I’ve learnt so much in that time. It’s exactly the situation I was aiming for when I left Uni and I feel I’ve definitely benefitted from being in a design studio where I can make use of everyone’s help and experience. I’m constantly learning something new and I can feel myself progressing into a better designer.

My job title is junior designer and it ranges from assisting senior designers with mocking up cards and adding finishes, to formatting new cards on the Mac, and sometimes generating new ideas and designs, all mainly for Clinton Cards and Paperchase.

Since I started working here we’ve been designing for Christmas 2014 so for us Christmas lasts a lot longer than usual! At the moment I have been busy helping with Christmas singles, which are individual captioned cards for Clinton’s. It involves following a brief and using existing cards from previous years and redesigning them to create something new. This means I’ve been able to work on all the different ranges available at Clinton stores, and this has not only helped my technical skills but also getting to know the company as well as the business and commercial aspects.

One exciting project I got to work on was to create some 3D stitched characters. They were well received by the managers and creative directors and are not only going to feature on a number of cards but I have had a whole range created just for them. I never expected that so soon after joining the team but I can’t wait to see them in the shops next Christmas.

I’ve got to say though that I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for Staffordshire University and the course. The course introduced me to Watermark and helped me develop and realise that I had the skills to work for such a prestigious company.”

I WOULDN’T BE IN THIS POSITION IF IT WASN’T FOR STAFFORDSHIRE UNIvERSITY

THE COURSE WAS A GREAT ExPERIENCE. THE HELP AND GUIDANCE FROM THE TUTORS WERE KEY FOR ME IN DEvELOPING MY SKILLS.

Mat Thompson

BA (Hons) Media (Film)

Production 2013

Graduate now working

on Godzilla!BA (Hons) Media (Film) Production graduate Mat Thompson reaped the benefits of the course’s strong links with its alumni.

During an Industry talk session at the University he met Andy Taylor who graduated in 2000 and is now a vFx Producer at Double Negative visual Effects. Together they arranged for Mat to visit the company after his graduation.

Andy then helped to set up 2 weeks of work experience at DNeg, working with his team on the new Godzilla film. Towards the end of the 2 weeks he successfully joined the company as a runner. Shortly after that, Mat secured a position as Production Co-ordinator on the Godzilla team with Andy.

Stephen Pietrusik

BA (Hons) VFX: Visual Effects and Concept Design

Stephen designs a bright future for himselfStephen Pietrusik is enjoying putting his skills to good use in one of the largest architectural companies in the world.

After graduating from BA (Hons) vFx: visual Effects and Concept Design in 2013, Stephen secured a job as an Assistant visualisation Artist at architecture visualisation company Foster and Partners in London.

Foster and Partners portfolio ranges from “urban masterplans, bridges, airports, civic to cultural buildings and product design.”

Stephen says: “The course was a great experience. The help and guidance from the tutors were key for me in developing my skills, obtaining the relevant contacts and helping me understand the professional industry.

Now I am currently working for one of the biggest architectural companies in the world, using the software I learnt on the course and most importantly loving the work I am doing.”

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THROUGH THESE COMMISSIONED JOBS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO BUILD A NAME FOR THEMSELvES AND MAKE AN EASIER TRANSITION INTO THE WIDER INDUSTRY

COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

Level Seven Photography AgencyStaffordshire University has announced the creation of a photographic agency called Level Seven. Photographers working for the agency will be made up of students, staff and graduates. The agency will provide photographs for clients ranging from local news stories, public relations events to editorial content.

The Photography department is putting the call out for current students and alumni to join the team of BA Hons Photojournalism students who have already provided commissioned work for The Princes Trust, League Football Education (LFE), Insurance Institute and Flux. Clients will be able to browse photographers portfolios on the agency’s website and hand pick the right person for the job, ensuring each commission is tailored to the clients needs.

Gracie Gannon, Level Seven Agency Co-ordinator, said of the agency “The creation of this agency is a great way for current and future students to take the skills they have acquired here at Staffordshire University and build a strong portfolio. Through these commissioned jobs they will be able to build a name for themselves and make an easier transition into the wider industry. We will work as an intermediary between the client and photographers to ensure everyone is completely satisfied and all work produced is of the highest standard.”

Pop up Comic ShopThe Pop up Comic shop has gone from strength to strength since its launch in June 2013. The campus based ‘store’ gives Cartoon and Comic Arts students the opportunity to showcase their talent and sell their artwork.

Success also has come via London Super Comic Con, New York and Leeds Comic Conventions where the students have already earned in excess of £400! Developing an entrepreneurial approach gives our students the skills to confidently promote their creativity on a commercial platform and compete with the very best industry has to offer.

FibreThis year has seen the launch of Fibre, our brand new product design consultancy. We’re using the combined talent of our academics and recent graduates to work on a variety of creative projects for Industry.

Our first set of clients are small businesses based in and around Staffordshire. Graduates are currently working on concepts ranging from micro-computers, to tableware for disabled people with fine motor difficulties. We can also support businesses financially through helping to secure local and European funding and unlocking ways to innovate through creative thinking. Our services include creative think-tanks, research and trend reports, concept generation, prototyping, manufacturing advice and sourcing, training and much more.

“The Collcap Packaging Group is extremely impressed with the level of expertise and cutting edge design skills that Fibre has presented over the last three years. It’s graduates, lecturers and students continue to provide creative thinking, innovation and designs for our industry that have enabled us to enhance our reputation as a company that offers solutions in the fast moving consumer goods market.” John McDermott: Managing Director – Collcap Packaging Limited

“Fibre is a great new venture for a number of reasons, not only do we support local industry and businesses across the country but it also gives opportunities for graduates to get their foot on the career ladder and develop their portfolio of real world projects. Fibre can also provide placements for our current students supporting our teaching of Employability, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.” Dan Lewis: Lecturer, BA (Hons) Product and Transport Design and Design Director - Fibre

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Celebrating 100 Years of Education2014 is a year in which we celebrate 100 years of education heritage in North Staffordshire and our direct and continuing support for local industry, the wider workforce and the regional economy.

On April 20, 1914, the Cadman building on College Road, Stoke was officially opened as the Central School of Science and Technology to support the City of Stoke-on-Trent’s main industries – mining and pottery.

The impressive carved stone frieze which still exists above the building’s main entrance depicts potters and miners working under the watchful eye of Athena, the goddess of education, wisdom, knowledge, industry and commerce. This acts as a permanent reminder of our roots and values that still hold strong today.

From these early beginnings, the College and subsequently North Staffordshire Polytechnic has evolved to support the needs of society. Subsequent expansion into arts and humanities; sports and health; life sciences; business, law, computing; education, media and entertainment technologies has made Staffordshire University what it is today. Today, we pride ourselves on producing talented Staffordshire Graduates.

You can visit our Centenary webpages www.staffs.ac.uk/centenary which includes galleries and profiles on significant people and periods in the University’s history as well as inviting staff and alumni to ‘tell us their story’. Tweeters can join in the celebrations using #Staffs100.

04SUCCESS STORIES

Every year our graduating Arts, Media, Design andCreative Technology students are able to boast of many amazing success stories.

22EXPERIENCE COUNTS

Opportunities to engage with the creative and cultural industries offer our students a different perspective and an insight into professional working practice.

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OUT ANDABOUT

Not only do our students have fabulous resources and facilities within the Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies but we have also developed great links and resources outside.

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BEYONDUNIVERSITY

One of the most often asked questions we receive within the Faculty is...what do our students do once they graduate?

48COMMERCIALSUCCESS

Students, staff and graduates combine talents to instigate, lead and flourish on a variety of creative projects that are industry facing.

3D DESIGN CRAFTS

3D DESIGN CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY AND FASHION ACCESSORIES

3D DESIGN CERAMICS

ADVERTISING AND BRAND MANAGEMENT

ANIMATION

ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR CREATIVE AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES

CARTOON AND COMIC ARTS

FINE ART, FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY

FOUNDATION YEAR IN ART

FOUNDATION YEAR IN DESIGN

GRAPHIC DESIGN

ILLUSTRATION

MEDIA FILM PRODUCTION

PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOJOURNALISM

PRODUCT DESIGN

SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN

TEXTILE SURFACES

TRANSPORT DESIGN

VFX: VISUAL EFFECTS AND CONCEPT DESIGN

CONTENTSDESIGN AND PRODUCTION

Thank you to all involved in the design and production of this publication – Transmission, Mark Garner and Sarah Peart - Academic Group Leaders, Staffordshire University Design Studio, Shaun Kelley, Helen Chapman, Associate Dean - Learning & Teaching and Award Leaders and staff who have provided content. Above all thank you to the students - whose energy, enthusiasm and commitment has made Show & Tell another great success.

Aardman Animation

BBC

Boardworks

Chapman Entertainment

Ragdoll

Koko Digital

SMA Studios

Animazoo Motion Capture

Studio Distract

Triffic Films

Travellers Tales

Sony Games

BreakThru Films

Crytek

MindUttoxeter

Graham & Brown

George at Asda

The Goldsmiths’ Company

Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council

The Worshipful Company of Pewterers

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SHOW & TELLTo see more about each of the courses and to view students’ work, visit the online degree show catalogue:www.staffs.ac.uk/degreeshow

For further information about the courses and work featured here, contact:t: 01782 294000e: [email protected]

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Documents

Show and Tell publication (PDF)