Artistic student scoops top award

Creativity has always been the key to Hayley Davis’ success who graduates from Teesside University with a prestigious award.

Hayley, 23, completed her BA (Hons) Digital Character Animation and was this year’s winner of the School of Computing’s Dean’s Award.

The award is given to the final year undergraduate student who attained the highest overall average grades during their course.

Hayley, who now works as a self-employed children’s book illustrator in Stratford, said that getting the award came as a complete surprise.

She added: 'I work hard to better my skills and push towards my goals and it’s amazing to know that my efforts have been noticed.'

Hayley initially chose to study Digital Character Animation at Teesside University as she wanted to bring to life the characters that she had created, see them move and allow others to experience their personalities in a new way.

During her degree, she was given the opportunity to complete a work placement at Disney Interactive Studios, where she worked with industry professionals on live video game projects.

Reflecting on the course and graduating from Teesside University, Hayley said: 'The course offers fundamental skills that are invaluable to an animator. The teachers were tremendous and chatting to them about their creative processes was really fun.

'I was able to challenge myself and produce work for my portfolio. I’ll miss the classes, sponging up information, insight and working with other creative people to produce something special.

'I’m looking forward to graduation and seeing my friends receiving their degrees, which they’ve worked so hard for. I’m also looking forward to experiencing my own graduation in the company of my loved ones.'

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