GRADUATES

Recent Graduates tell us about their experiences on the course and what they have been up to since graduation.

ROBERT PAUL – Web Developer - http://www.blue2.co.uk

“Before graduating from the Design for Digital Media course, I had no idea which field of design I would find myself working in – my final year projects involved 3D modelling, animation and video post-production, although I also had experience in Photoshop, Illustrator and other programs.

I now work for Blue Square Design in Dundee as a web developer. I am having a great time learning not only from their designers, but also from their team of programmers and other developers. I had relatively little experience in web design before joining Blue Square, but I have (and continue to) learn a great deal – coding languages like XHMTL, CSS and JavaScript, coding standards, accessibility, etc. – each day on the job.

The design principles and practices that I picked up in DDM are very transferable, and have enabled me to be more versatile as a designer. My course placements at Touch3D and Mearns & Gill prepared me for everyday working realities such as client deadlines, professional criticism and teamwork.

As a bonus the course organised some excellent trips for my class while we studied, such as to New York and Amsterdam, as well as offering an opportunity to showcase our work at the New Blood exhibition in London before we graduated. Each trip was more fun than the last – I had a fantastic time!”

Robert.

LINDSAY SCOTT – Designer, Multiply UK - www.multiplyuk.com

I now work for Multiply UK who are based in the West End of Edinburgh. I initailly went to work with them for a week and was offered a job as a ‘Junior Creative’ and it’s great! Just back from a week’s snowboarding in Val d’isere. The job is going well, I have had 2 pay rises so far. Our clients include RBS, Reckit Benckisser, Kimberley Clark, Absolut, Maxxium and I’ve worked on a variety of projects from flash web banners for Huggies, trade ads, pos material, icon design, as well as some internal conference videos. We launched Absolut Disco in some bars across the UK and I was involved in producing a DVD loop for in-bar and also an external video projection. Every day is different and it is a very laid back company to work for.

Lindsay.

CATHERINE FYFE – Design Manager, IQ Digital Media Networks -http://www.screenmediasupport.com

I now work for a company called IQ Digital Media Networks based in South Manchester. I’m newly promoted to Design Manger and have responsibility for the content design team and create digital content for various networks across the UK and Abroad…it’s all going well at the moment!

Cat.

CALUM THOMSON – Lecturer, Adam Smith College Glenrothes - www.adamsmithcollege.ac.uk

I am studying a PG TQ(FE) at Stirling University and teaching digital media related subjects at Adam Smith College in Glenrothes. I’ve been teaching Flash and video and audio development for the web to a Visual Communication and Digital Publishing BSc class which is a bit daunting to say the least, but it’s going really well. I’ve just secured a teaching contract so you never know, we may be bumping into each other professionally.

Calum.

RONALD GORDON – Media Developer, Atlas Interactive - www.atlasinteractive.com

I’m working for Atlas Interactive, an e-learning media company, based in Aberdeen. The company makes use of all the skills that we covered on the Design for Digital Media course and I’m currently using Flash, 3DStudio Max, Photoshop and Illustrator. From my experience, I’d recommend that future graduates ensure their portfolio contains a wide range of projects….it’s also a good idea to spend time doing your own projects out with the course curriculum. AS they say personal work gives you the freedom to find your own voice.

Ron.

CHRISTOPHER BEWS – Digital Designer, Digit London – www.digitlondon.com

I’ve been working at Digit for five months now and am hugely enjoying my time here. Being a hybrid designer/programmer means there is a huge amount for me to learn, and in a creative company such as Digit, each of my colleagues are so skilled in their area that I’ve always got someone to ask when I’m trying to learn something.

Digit is a company that very much acknowledges that everyone needs time to learn, even the highest ranking people are still taking the time to learn new techniques and skills.

The other benefit of working in a company with such a good reputation is that they can choose not to work on certain projects, such as those for tobacco companies, where a moral standpoint is given higher precedence.

I get on very well with all the people at Digit, which in itself is surprising as I rarely hear of people being so happy with their colleagues. This does effect your own development, as it’s much easier to ask for advice from people you actually like and trust.

Moving to London actually ended up being quite easy, it’s just a case of saving up enough money for the initial move (rent and a flight), then it’s just like working anywhere else, only with many more choices as to where to spend your money!

If I had confined myself to just working in Aberdeen, I wouldn’t be improving at the rate I currently am and working on innovative projects for big companies.

Chris.

STEVEN COCHRANE – Business Development Executive - www.rotech.co.uk

Choosing the Design for Digital Media Course was paramount in getting the most out of me and more importantly allowing me to develop a portfolio or work and skills that employers wanted and needed. The course was versatile and adapted to provide us, the students, with different opportunities to explore a ranges of subjects including motion graphics, digital video & audio production, animation, 3D computer modelling, special effects, web and computer games design.
The course encouraged professional practice, individuality and posed many challenges for example meeting deadlines. As students we worked individually on our own projects to gear us up for our final honours year – we often had to work within teams which proved a difficult task at times as everyone had their own views and skills. I had to learn about taking on other’s opinions and thoughts when making decisions especially when it came to degree show time and exhibiting at The New Blood Degree Exhibition in London. This experience of working in teams has been crucial to helping me adapt and mix in the outside workplace.

Our Degree Show gave me the chance to exhibit my work to the public and potential employers. As a direct result of this I gained employment with Mearns & Gill, the north-east’s longest established communications consultancy. I secured this position a day after graduation and now work as a Digital Media Designer. Mearns & Gill has a highly impressive client portfolio across all market sectors and includes local, national and international organisations. In my role, I have the opportunity to work on a very diverse range of projects and make a direct and real contribution to clients’ organisations – as well as team working within Mearns & Gill towards key objectives which include growing and developing the business and pushing creative boundaries.

Steve.

CARLY FENTON (SHARP) – Graphic Designer, Shell - www.shell.com

Prior to studying at Grays School of Art, I undertook an HND in Computer Graphic Design at Aberdeen College, which I used as a stepping stone to gain access on the Design for Digital Media course.

The course allowed me the opportunity to further improve my knowledge of design and increase my technical skills in a number of packages. I also explored a number of areas including motion graphics, digital video & 3d computer modelling. My favourites projects included elements of animation and internet design.
In 3rd year I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to go on a work placement with local design company, Imajica where I gained valuable experience working on ‘live projects’. It was also an insight into working in a real world studio environment with a team of professional designers.

The placement was hugely beneficial in helping me adapt to the workplace and also gave me valuable insight into working life where you have to working to real deadlines.

I finished my course in June 2006 and started working at Shell the following week as a Junior Graphic Designer in the Graphics and Publications department. The department deals with most of the graphics within Shell Europe, so I have the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects and put my skills and knowledge into practice.

Carly.

PETER MOORE – Digital Designer, Cresent Engineering - www.cresentengineering.com

I was always interested in Art & Design at school so when it came to applying to University the Design for Industry Programme at Grays School of Art immediately attracted my attention because of its strong links with industry and possible employment opportunities after graduation. After reading through the RGU prospectus I decided to apply to the Design for Digital Media course, as it appeared fairly general and didn’t restrict me to a specific facet of digital media in the first couple of years.
By the end of second year I had worked on several projects covering motion graphics, animation and web design. I realised that I was mostly interested in 3D modelling and visualisation, and so spent the remaining years of the course advancing my skills in this area. I was also lucky enough to go on field trips to London and New York and visit a number of design studios and computer game companies.

The curriculum is well balanced at the beginning and doesn’t pin you down on a set path, letting you explore a number of areas. The university has state of the art facilities; I even used the motion capture lab for some of the character animation scenes in one of my 3D animation and games projects. There is also rapid prototyping facility (basically a 3D printer) that allows you to build plastic models of characters that you have created for your projects. There is also a 3D scanner and video editing suit, a green screen and photographic studio.

I am now employed by an engineering company and I spend my days creating 3D animations and models for their training courses and in my spare time I endeavour with digital painting and character desig
< br />
Pete.

SARAH PARKINSON – Design Applications Engineer, Wood Group - www.woodgroup.com

My time on the course at RGU were exciting to say the least but the hard work has certainly paid off. When I embarked on the course, the project briefs sparked enthusiasm in many different areas – motion graphics, web design, games development (both 2d and 3d) and 3d modelling.

You will expand your knowledge, nurture your skills and develop as a person throughout your years at university. You become confident in many ways by presenting your work, discussing alternative ideas with others and ultimately sharing your criticisms and being criticised (constructive of course!).

For me, I knew that I had learnt something when I watched the most recent Pixar production, ignored the storyline and analysed every detail of the animation and the methods used to create effects etc. You know you are hooked when you would rather listen to the Directors commentary than the movie dialog!

I’m now working for Wood Group Engineering in the Design Applications Sector, between the Alliance Centre and Trafalgar House in Aberdeen. I work closely with the engineers supporting various projects most commonly using 3D packages. I’m just back from Frankfurt in Germany after attending the ISEIT AVEVA 2006 conference. It was tough going but worth it. Great experience! We were particularly interested in Laser Scanning technology, along with VNET (net sharing application) and Global (network synchronisation system).

In the near future, I will be spending 3 months in each discipline – Electrical and Instrumentation, Piping Engineering and Structural Engineering to expand my knowledge in these areas.

I also have taken the helm on the Wood Group Portal (Internal site) for Digital Applications, working closely with the Portal Designer/ Director whenever I have a spare minute and applying some new ideas to the site.

Sarah.

EWAN MACLEOD – Design Draughtsman, PSN (Production Services Network) - www.psnworld.com
I tell you what, you don’t appreciate the benefits of University life until you leave! After graduation I was taken on my PSN (Production Services Network) who manage contracts to operate and maintain offshore installations for most of the big oil and gas players. PSN is one of Scotlands largest companies after a management buy out almost two years ago.

My job is to design and create engineering drawings and diagrams which enable components to be manufactured and fabricated. This utilises both 2d and 3d modelling packages, namely AutoCAD (3d), Microstation and PDMS. I recently completed my offshore survival so I will be out there doing survey work in the near future. The job is flexible and if you enjoy learning its for you. I am due to complete my HNC Mechanical Engineering in May 2008, I’m currently working on my NVQ in design drafting and I will have an ECITB fully accredited modern apprenticeship in the next few weeks. The company have already offered me the chance to go back to Uni to complete the engineering degree on a full salary.

In addition PSN work globally and they encourage staff to work abroad from time to time. I’m looking into work in Sakhalin Island next year where i would be on a 4 on 4 off rotation. during the 4 off weeks I can either fly home of just tour around the area. I know guys who have worked for PSN (formerly KBR) for a number of years and they use the company to travel the world whilst getting paid!

For future DM graduates who feel they would like to explore their engineering abilities after graduation then a company like PSN is definitely the place to be.

Ewan.