Student views

Why Teesside University?

I wanted to study at a reputable university where I could specialise in 3D animation, as my previous focus had been on 2D. I considered other courses in the UK, but the modules at Teesside were exactly what I was looking for. I also had the chance to speak with the course lecturers before I started, which gave me confidence in my choice.

What did you enjoy most about studying at Teesside?

I enjoyed immersing myself in my subject and connecting with people from around the world who shared my passion for animation, and being part of several games-specific societies gave me valuable insight into other areas of games development. I also learned how to crochet at Teesside through the Knitting Society.

Did you take advantage of opportunities to enhance your employability?

I attended talks hosted by the careers service in the run-up to ExpoTees. Their presentation on networking and presenting yourself professionally to potential employers was extremely helpful.

How did your time at University help prepare you for your career?

The modules in my course gave me the skills I needed to enter the industry and encouraged me to explore more technical areas of animation that I might not have considered otherwise. My lecturers were also supportive throughout every stage of my animation journey.

Career since graduation

Since graduating, I returned to self-employment and continued working with a long-term client to create educational films for children. One of my lecturers at Teesside recommended me for a role where I supported research and development for additional materials on an immersive film project exploring menopause. I kept building my animation skills and became a Limit Break 2024 mentee. With an improved showreel I was able to secure my first role in the games industry.

Describe your current role

As a junior gameplay animator at Dambuster, I work on a wide range of exciting projects. Most of my time is spent in Maya, where I create animations for the game, and Unreal Engine, where I import and test them to ensure they look right and function properly. I work on both first- and third-person animations.

So far my biggest achievement at Dambuster has been seeing my animation in the game for the first time and receiving positive feedback from the studio. A close second was representing the studio in a Dragon Boat race.

Would you recommend Teesside University and your course?

Yes definitely. The fast pace meant I learned a great deal in my year there, and the variety of modules introduced me to areas of animation I had not considered before, such as technical and facial animation. The chance to work with industry-standard software was valuable, and the staff were always supportive.