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The School of Creative Arts and its students win awards

Named as one of the top universities to study animation in the world, the School of Creative Arts has been highly commended at the 3D Artist CG Student Awards, with many of its students also winning.

About 3D Artist and the awards

An authoritative and well-respected source of inspiration for those working or aspiring to be working in the computer generated industry (CGI), 3D Artist magazine covers all software and disciplines. Every product in the 3D Artist portfolio features guides for awe-inspiring images, interviews and career advice from industry insiders and behind-the-scenes access on major 3D projects.

The CG Student Awards is an annual international event which showcases and rewards excellence in computer graphics from students and recent graduates. This year the competition was sponsored by 3D Artist. From over 326 entries worldwide, the judging panel hand-picked the winners for the 2013 awards; the voting process involved judges scoring each entry based on criteria including – creative skills, technical skills, presentation, variety of skills, raw talent and future potential.

Award winning

The University was successful in four award categories with the School of Creative Arts highly commended for the School of the Year.

Martin Bowman, senior lecturer in digital animation and MA animation course leader, said: "The students and staff of the Digital Animation Programme are very proud to gain this internationally recognised accolade, and even happier that we repeated our achievement in gaining the same award last year."

He added: "We look forward to increasing our profile in the Computer Graphics Industry so that many of the best animation, visual effects and games art students in the world study at the University of Hertfordshire, as we aim to become one of the top Animation Schools in the world."

The student winners

The University had four students in the Next Gen Gaming – Student of the Year category, more than any other university worldwide. Victor Gaza, an MA Games Art student at the University was named the winner.

Explaining how it felt to have won, Victor said: "I was completely overwhelmed – I was hoping to at least make it into the finalists as this was my last year of university and my last chance to participate. I never would have imagined I'd win, it's an amazing feeling."

He added: "By winning the competition I have received some very useful software licenses, which for a student with limited funds is like the holy grail of prizes! I have also received a six month subscription on Digital Tutors and a free CG Society Workshop – this is half a year of free education and workshops by industry professionals, which is absolutely amazing."

Karen Stanley, an undergraduate student studying 3D Games Art at the University was named Next Gen Gaming – Runner Up. She said: "It was pretty cool to be named as the runner up and it was completely unexpected – being a worldwide competition, we were up against some heavy hitters at the American schools."

She added: "This competition has given me a glimpse at the kind of quality and amount of effort that is needed to enter the industry."

The other University of Hertfordshire student winners were:

Next Gen Gaming – Highly Commended Adam Ostridge
Next Gen Gaming Finalist – Max Doherty
People's Choice Award – Popular Entry – Zan Flaker Berce
Honourable Mention – Leo Blackmur
Honourable Mention – Michael Wilde

University experience

Commenting on his UH experience, Victor said: "It has been fantastic. I have met some amazing people that have inspired me deeply. On top of that, the cultural diversity is brilliant; you meet so many different people and learn so much just by being close to their circles."

He continued: "As for the MA Games Art course itself, I found it hard but equally good. Personally, I preferred the practical tasks but through the theoretical side, I learned a lot and I was able to test myself. I'm very happy I did it, as now I feel stronger and more prepared from both an academic and practical perspective.

"My lecturers have been fantastic and I would especially like to thank my practical module lecturer Neil Gallagher – he was awesome."

Of Karen's UH experience, she said: "It's been great, a lot of fun and a lot of work/sleepless nights, but completely worth it. The course has really made sure we keep up to date with the industry and that we are hireable by the end of it all."

Important advice

As advice to students considering a career in animation and recent graduates, Victor said: "This is the same thing I tell myself every day – don't slack, don't take it easy and don't procrastinate."

He continued: "Say no to distractions that will ultimately make you waste productive time. Do 2D and 3D studies; draw traditionally too; don't get comfortable and try out new stuff all the time. Try to work as much as possible too by working every day.

"It's also important to work out and eat healthy – as we work so much on our computers and are sat down a lot; I find that sports and a healthy diet are crucial for both body and mind."

Karen also advises of working hard. She said: "Work hard, really hard and don't stop. The quality bar is always going up and we have to keep up with it. Luckily Herts manages to keep us up there!"

For the future, Victor wants to keep working hard and learning more and more, while Karen hopes to go and work in mainland Europe. She said: "Guerrilla Games is my favourite studio and I hope to one day work with them."