Programme Leader - BA (Hons) Computer Games Modelling and Animation
» Find out more about me
I have been part of the games industry for a number of years and in that time have had some amazing opportunities!
Over the last three years I've been involved in the production of MotorStorm(tm) at Evolution Studios, a critically acclaimed game which has been celebrated for its gameplay and graphical excellence. In particular I've learned a great deal about developing for next generation hardware and so I've got the relevant background and credibility to enrich the Computer Games Modelling and Animation course. I have significant next generation experience and the work I've produced in recent years is the current benchmark for realtime graphics in the games industry.
Prior to my employment at Evolution Studios I worked for Codemasters, a publishing giant, developing games with huge teams and international partners around the globe. Having also worked in a small intimate team at 'Brain in a Jar', I experienced an environment where everyone had to be multi disciplined and willing to 'get their hands dirty' to get the job done. I've also worked remotely as a freelancer for clients internationally, building assets for games such as Need for Speed Underground.
All these real world experiences I hope will help me to give you a useful insight into the many facets of the games industry.
Lecturer - BA (Hons) Computer Games Modelling and Animation
» Find out more about me
I'm senior lecturer in Computer Gaming and animator on the Computer Games Modelling and Animation degree. I do it because I love it! I don't just teach the degree, but also show you how to think and act through 3D models and their animations, and use the games universe to bring characters to life.
The games industry is booming and it shows no sign of stopping, this doesn't mean that industry just will hire anyone to fill those seats. Quite the reverse. You need to be exemplary in your field, showcase your skills and target your ambitions to get the job you will love.
I joined the University of Derby as a lecturer in the summer of 2003 after working in the computer industry for 20 years. For the three years before joining the University I worked as an independent consultant, doing both software development and marketing work for different companies in the US and the UK.
Prior to that, I worked for Micro Focus. Micro Focus was originally founded in the UK and is still based here today, but it has a very large presence in the USA. I started out as a programmer in 1984. In 1990, I moved to the California office of Micro Focus, managing the technical third-party relationships with a number of companies including Microsoft, Oracle, Informix, etc. After that, I moved into product management, ending up as the Director of Product Management for Micro Focus's line of software development tools on Windows and UNIX platforms.
My teaching responsibilities lie in the areas of programming and web development, although my interests cover all aspects of programming. I'm currently the module leader for:
Software Development 1
Web Programming
Web Server Programming and Architecture
Mobile Devices
I'm also the programme leader for BSc (Hons) Internet Computing.
Lecturer - BA (Hons) Computer Games Modelling and Animation
» Find out more about me
My professional interests lie in commercial game development and the application of game technologies and principals in education, assessment and marketing.
My teaching responsibilities include:
Games Studies
Real-Time Rendering
Advanced Rendering Techniques
Professional Practice in the Games Industry.
I hold a Bachelors degree in Engineering and a Masters in Information Technology for Management, both from Coventry University. I also a PhD on Educational Multimedia in Biomedicine from Coventry University.