From Dr Who to Guardians of the Galaxy - Hollywood concept artist to help students look to the future

A Concept Artist and Teesside University graduate who has produced concept designs for films such as The Expendables 2, Captain America, Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy will be on hand to inspire teenagers who are looking to break into the creative industries.

Dan Walker 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 graduated in 1993 with a BA (Hons) Industrial Design and was awarded an honorary degree from Teesside University in 2010.

He is returning to Teesside in January to speak 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, which takes place at Teesside University and mima is open to year 12 and 13 students in the region and will enable them to show and receive feedback on their portfolios from industry professionals. Students will also meet recent graduates across a range of subject areas and tour mima’s exhibitions.

They will also be able to find out about the wide range of new creative courses at Teesside which include degrees in textile design, fashion enterprise, comics, graphic novels, sequential design and magazine and sports journalism.

Dan said that a large part of the university or college experience is the opportunity to be experimental and creatively unrestrained, but added that receiving feedback from industry professionals prepares students for what is expected of them professionally.

He said: 'This experienced input can prove invaluable for a students project, but more importantly, gives them 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: 'This is a truly inspirational event that will give young people interested in the working in the creative industries the opportunity to receive real world feedback on their portfolios.

'We have an impressive range of industry professionals and recent graduates on hand to provide advice and guidance on subject specific areas. And to have Dan Walker coming to talk to the students will provide incredible insight and inspiration.

'He has worked on some of the biggest franchises in the business and is ready to show students a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in designing icons such as the Batmobile and Dr Who’s TARDIS.'

Create Your Future takes place from 10.00am to 4.00pm on 14 January. To find out more, or to book a place visit our website or email arts@tees.ac.uk.

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