Next generation games talent unveiled at Abertay Digital Graduate Show 2016
The next generation of digital artists, game designers, programmers and sound designers will be launching their professional careers this week at the Abertay Digital Graduate Show 2016.
More than 130 students will be putting work on show in Abertay University’s main Kydd Building and the Hannah Maclure Centre art gallery, on the top floor of the Student Centre.
Projects on show include dozens of new games, as well as graphic design work, film and video productions, music and sound, and game development technologies.
The projects cover an enormous range of themes and ideas, including an interactive mobile game prototype exploring the concept of personal space in the city; a “zen-esque” narrative game about a captain of a giant Koi fish telling the story of two children, and a game exploring the cyclical nature of life, ideas, inspiration and creativity.
Clare Brennan, Abertay lecturer and curator of the Abertay Digital Graduate Show, said: “Each year we’re amazed and inspired by the originality and creativity of the work submitted for the Abertay Digital Graduate Show.
“The show this year is a very interactive, playful and entertaining display of projects that really demonstrate the creativity and technical skills our students have developed throughout their time at Abertay.
“The students have used their skills and knowledge to develop some fascinating work; everything from social–impact games to immersive virtual reality horror experiences, from projection mapped motion graphics for advertising to soundtracks and soundscapes for movies.
“There are also some incredibly innovative technical achievements in the design of applications and interactive technologies that will no doubt have a very positive impact on creative digital industries.
“It’s fascinating to see how our students have developed very high quality skills in their particular subject areas, but also thought very deeply about how art, games and technology can be used for social benefits or to explore deeply personal experiences.”
The students showing their work reflect the cosmopolitan make-up of Abertay’s computer games and computer arts degree programmes, with undergraduates from all over the world taking part.
Gerda Gutmane, from Latvia, is showing her game ‘Nóra’ in which the player captains a giant Koi fish through a world crumbling into the sea. She says: “It’s a game about reflection, dreams and regret, but it can be interpreted very creatively, which is probably the most interesting aspect.”
Caitlin Goodale has dual UK/USA citizenship, having been born in Aberdour, Fife, and brought up there and in San Jose, California. She is showing an interactive mobile game prototype called Personal Pi, which explores the concept of personal space in the city through the role of an amateur private investigator solving mysteries for residents of a tenement block. She explains: “I created this to explore using experimental techniques to design novel game experiences.”
Akos Demuth, from Hungary, is showing his ‘Penny Pursuit’ game for touch devices which features a mimic trying to escape from an evil dragon’s lair. He says: "The game reflects my interest in rapid prototyping and integrating gameplay analytics in the early stages of development.”
The opening times of the Abertay Digital Graduate Show are:
• Friday 6 May, 4-8pm
• Saturday 7 May to Sunday 15 May, 12-4pm
For info on more individual students and exhibits, check the dedicated webpage and Facebook event page regularly.
Coming along to the Abertay Digital Graduate Show? Join the Facebook event and share it with your friends.
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For media enquiries, please contact Kevin Coe (Media and Communications Director) – T: 01382 308452 M: 07850 904110 E: k.coe@abertay.ac.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Abertay University was recently confirmed as Europe’s leading university for computer games degree courses, in the 2016 Princeton Review. Abertay was the only European institution listed in the top 50 undergraduate universities and the top 25 postgraduate universities:
http://www.princetonreview.com/press/game-design-press-release
The Abertay Digital Graduate Show is part of the Ignite Dundee festival, which runs from 3-30 May and showcases the very best of Dundee’s creative talent. Ignite Dundee is a partnership between Abertay University; Dundee & Angus College; Dundee Contemporary Arts; Dundee – One City, Many Discoveries; Dundee Rep Theatre; Leisure & Culture Dundee; University of Dundee and V&A Dundee.
For more information, please visit the Ignite Dundee website.
