Lynn Parker

Lynn teaches animation and interactive art to undergraduate students on the BA (hons) Computer Arts programme. She is a practising artist, who produces interactive experiences and performances that aim to bring people together through interactive technology, animation and space. Her practice leads her research activity as part of Abertay Game Lab in the School of Design and Informatics, where she is currently undertaking a PhD. While animation and interactive design are her creative passions, Lynn’s real focus is to support (and hopefully inspire) her students to help them to develop the skills and gumption needed to achieve their goals for the future.

Tell us about your career…

I played a lot of games when I was younger – probably too many. I was also really inspired by Wallace & Gromit and wanted to be an animator. I did programming and art at school and although for a while I wanted to be a computer programmer, when I saw the Computer Arts course at Abertay, it seemed to combine art and technology in ways that were new and exciting to me, allowing me to bring together my love of games and of animation. I lucked out and got a job teaching at Dundee and Angus College, where I stayed for five years before coming back to Abertay to lecture.

I feel very lucky that I can teach and inspire the next generation, and also combine that with being creative myself. I can help organise events, but also take part in them. And my research time allows me to continue to be creative in the likes of dance animation. Spending time with students is important – they motivate you to keep up and we can learn from each other.

Inspired by…

I’ve been privileged to work with students who have gone on to do some wonderful things. For example, Timea Tabori, president of the IGDA Scotland, Zoe Sams, also of IDGA Scotland, and Alex Grahame who all do a great deal to promote women in games – not only by working within the games industry, but also by running events and through speaking engagements at conferences and online.

Advice for young women…

Peer pressure was a big thing that stopped me embracing my inner geek – I was too worried about what people thought. It doesn’t matter if it’s not cool. If you are passionate about it, then embrace it. Try not to follow the herd.

International Women’s Day…

There’s a lot of inequality and it’s not all about gender. But the more awareness days we have like this that celebrate things and normalise things then the better it can be for society. It’s about giving unequal groups a voice and to celebrate diversity.