Among the speakers was Teesside University graduate Dan Walker, who has produced concept designs for films such as The Expendables 2, Captain America, Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Dan graduated in 1993 with a BA (Hons) Industrial Design and was awarded an honorary degree from Teesside University in 2010. He has been involved in creating iconic designs from film and TV including Dr Who’s sonic screwdriver and the Batmobile from the Hollywood blockbuster Dark Knight trilogy.
He was speaking at the Create Your Future event, a unique networking and showcase opportunity for college students who are interested in careers in interior, product or graphic design, art or TV and film production.
The event, at Teesside University and mima, was aimed at year 12 and 13 students from across the region, with the aim of enabling them to receive feedback on their portfolios from industry professionals. Students also toured mima’s exhibitions and met recent graduates across a range of subject areas.
They also learned about the wide range of new creative courses at Teesside, including degrees in textile design, fashion enterprise, comics, graphic novels, sequential design and magazine and sports journalism.
Dan said: 'This event will help to not only provide insight, but hopefully provide inspiration and ultimately motivation to entering the creative industries. Importantly, it is also helping to give the students a clear idea of exactly what future employers are looking for in an individual and their portfolio content.'
Martin Pout, Assistant Dean in Teesside University’s School of Arts & Media, said: 'It’s great to welcome back Dan, who has worked on some of the biggest franchises in the business, to show students a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in designing icons such as the Batmobile and Dr Who’s TARDIS.
'Students taking part in Create Your Future have had an opportunity to meet a range of industry professionals and it’s wonderful to have people like Dan who return to their roots to talk to students about what they can aspire to.'
Information about Teesside University’s creative arts courses can be found by emailing arts@tees.ac.uk