Tag Archives: staffordshire

Search for a Star!

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Staffordshire University was recently host to games design competitions Search for a Star and Rising Star, with games design students from up and down the country attending the event which included informal mentoring sessions, round table discussions, a networking lunch and talks by established industry professionals.

uinque networking oppurtunites for students with many big names in the games industry

This years speakers included Philip & Andrew Oliver, creators of the ‘Dizzy’ series of games and current founders of independent developer Radiant Worlds giving a history of games and their own personal experiences in the industry, as well as Tim Furnish of Sumo Digital Nottingham, and Liz Mercuri of popular game-engine Unity.

The event was not to be missed by those with a passion for games, giving a unique networking oppurtunity and first hand insight from games developers.

Find out more about Search for a Star by clicking here

TableTopTapOut Student Board Game Expo

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In a change from what might usually be expected from a Computer Games Design portfolio of courses a strong strand of analog games design stems through the courses that focus on understanding games ‘BSc (Hons) Computer Gameplay Design and Production’ and ‘BA (Hons) Games Studies’. In the level 5 Module ‘Gameplay Applications’ students have been working on a solo board game design task – cumulating in a Board Game Expo hosted in the Henrion Gallery on April 24th.

The Board Games have been designed with the theme of ‘making something mundane fun’ and all the elements of the design and the production were left up the students, including in some cases commissioning illustration and comic design students to work on the art aspects of the games.

Themes for the games varied greatly but included cleaning kitchens, washing clothes, stocking pound shops, packing for mini breaks, selling ice creams, commuting, commuting in space and infiltrating the food chain with questionable ingredients.

Nia Wearn, the module leader said “it was fantastic event and an excellent showcase of the student’s hard work. Many of the games have been produced to a high level and it was great being in a central place in the university surrounded by people enjoying new games”.

The event was open to the public and number of local board game players came to play and feedback to the students. We were also lucky to have a representative from PlayTest UK (http://www.playtest.co.uk/) attend, giving valuable advice to the students about the validity of the students game in the current marketplace.

“We’ll be running the module again next year so anyone who wants to get involved, or suggest a theme for the students to work on please don’t hesitate to get in touch” – Nia Wearn n.h.wearn@staffs.ac.uk

 

Student Trip: Media City Manchester

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Nearly one hundred film production students from Staffordshire University travelled to Media City in Manchester to get a special behind-the-scenes look at the amazing TV facilities at the BBC & ITV, as well as Dock 10, the biggest TV studio complex in the country, and to speak to those in positions to recruit our graduates.

Film & Media students infront of Media City UK, Manchester

This trip allowed for great experience and insight; already encouraging students to consider their careers and the value of Film/TV work experience, which will help them get that first foot in the door of a highly competitive industry.

Here’s what the students had to say about it:

“a fantastic insight into the industry…”

“lots of valuable informtion to carry into the future”

“great day!”

Victoria Lucas Recording Session

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Members of Keele Women’s Choir came to our Cadman Recording Studios recently to record abstract sounds and music for a new installation piece by Sheffield-based artist Victoria Lucas, which will feature in her exhibit ‘Lay of the Land (and other such myths)’.

Keele Womens Choir, directed by Victoria Lucas

Undergraduate students were given the chance to put into practice skills aquired on our music technology courses in a real world situation, with the help of our skilled technicians.

music students helping record the session

Lucas’s piece which will include this audio will be part of a collection of the artists work being displayed at the Air Space Gallery in Hanley, with the exhibition opening on May 6th and running until June 3rd 2017.

A preview event for the exhibit is scheduled to take place from 6pm to 8pm on May 5th, and you can find out more information by clicking here.