Matthew’s digital expertise on display at ExpoTees

ExpoTees - Teesside University’s annual showcase of its digital stars of the future - helped set graduate Matthew Oakley on the road to his dream career.

Matthew is now an artist with Newcastle based video games developer Reflections, which is behind massive hit games such as Driver San Francisco, Just Dance, Ghost Recon Future Soldier, Rayman Origins and Far Cry.

He initially won a six-month internship at Reflections as a prize in last year’s ExpoTees. This annual showcase of work by final year School of Computing students displays diverse work in a range of computing subjects and also provides an opportunity for employers to meet students who will soon enter the industry.

ExpoTees 2012 will be held on Wednesday 9 May, from 1.00pm to 7.00pm, at the University’s Darlington campus.

Now working full-time at Reflections, Matthew is grateful for the part ExpoTees played in helping him launch his career in the UK games industry.

The BA (Hons) Computer Games Art graduate said: 'When I first arrived at Reflections I was producing 3D renders of vehicles for Driver San Francisco, before moving on to Just Dance 3 for PlayStation Move.

'It’s a fantastic opportunity and a dream to work on such hugely successful game franchises at Reflections. There are days when I pinch myself and can’t believe I’m doing this. I get to be part of creative teams who are making fantastic games. The credits roll and my name is on those credits.'

He added: 'You never really know what to expect in the games industry and it can seem like a very big, intimidating place. I was lucky to have real industry experience through a work placement during my degree, so I was able to come to Reflections and hit the ground running. I have been given lots of great opportunities and I’m enjoying every minute.'

Giselle Stewart, general manager at Reflections, has worked with and recruited from Teesside University for over 12 years. She said: 'It is important for Reflections to maintain a high level of talent coming into the company from local universities. ExpoTees is an ideal opportunity for us to see the best that graduates can offer to us, the region’s top video games employer.'

Jo Noble, ExpoTees organiser, said: 'ExpoTees is a great event for students to showcase their work, while getting exposure to different companies and receiving feedback on their projects from experts in the field.

'The standard of work this year is fantastic, with a diverse range of projects on display. And with the event being held for the first time at our Darlington campus, located close to the train station and major road networks, it’s a superb setting for our exhibition which will take place over two floors.'

Work exhibited demonstrates the full spectrum of courses taught in the University’s School of Computing and represents a cross section of students’ final year work. The ExpoTees Awards provide the grand finale to the exhibition with students competing for an ExpoTees trophy and prize.

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Find out more about ExpoTees 2012