UWTSD’s Associate Professor Dr. Tim Bashford, research Lead at the Wales Institute of Digital Information (WIDI), is a prominent voice in artificial intelligence approaches across public services, healthcare, and education. With his background spanning digital innovation, applied research, and skills development, Tim’s work bridges the gap between policy, practice, and emerging technology.
Tim recently contributed to a podcast for Business News Wales, expanding on themes from his guest column ‘AI Readiness Depends on Scale, Not Sector‘. Below is a summary of the ideas underpinning the discussion.
AI Readiness: A Question of Scale and Maturity: Tim highlight’s the narrative that the public sector lags behindthe private sector in AI adoption simply doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. Instead, the real divide lies between: Large, digitally mature, well‑resourced organisations, and Everyone else, particularly smaller organisations with limited capability. This insight reframes the conversation: readiness for AI is not determined by sector, but by institutional scale, digital maturity, and capacity to invest. Contrary to popular belief, Wales’ public services demonstrate:
More mature governance structures for AI
Better‑established support frameworks
Growing cross‑sector collaboration, particularly through partnerships with WIDI and the Welsh NHS.
However, legacy systems and uneven digital capability remain ongoing challenges. While some large Fintech and Medtech companies are rapidly advancing, many SMEs are no more AI‑ready than the least mature public organisations. They often struggle with:
Skills shortages
Investment barriers
Limited digital foundations
Unclear adoption pathways
Tim argues that this ‘long tail’ of SME under‑preparedness is one of the biggest obstacles to Wales’ overall digital readiness. Tim goes on to emphasise that universities are not just “homes of the complex algorithmic work”, that their most significant contribution may actually be:
Skills development
Upskilling the workforce
Helping organisations adopt AI safely and confidently
Supporting responsible innovation across Wales
This positions institutions like WIDI and UWTSD as central pillars of Wales AI ecosystem.
To hear Tim expand on these themes, explore practical implications for organisations, and discuss how Wales can build AI capability across sectors, listen to the podcast here: Public Sector Social Value Podcast Guide.
Course: BSc (Hons) Computing (Data and Information Systems)
Project title: A comparative analysis of driving performance and styles across simulators and real-world scenarios
Brief overview: The project focused on creating a telemetry program that can display and overlap data from both the car simulator and real-life cars.
Key term:Telemetry is the automated, remote collection and wireless transmission of data from sensors to a central system for monitoring, analysis, and optimization. It is widely used across aerospace, IT, healthcare, and manufacturing to track metrics like temperature, speed, or system performance, enabling real-time decision-making. [r: ibm.com]
The project was written in Python and contains multiple user interfaces for different functionality. It supports both real-world and simulator data sources from Motec and ViGrade formats. It imports this data as a CSV and converts it into an SQLite database.
Key term:Motec (MoTeC) and VI-grade (ViGrade) represent two different, often complementary, sides of automotive simulation and data analysis, specializing in data logging and virtual testing. * MoTeC is a world leader in motorsport data acquisition (loggers, ECUs, dash displays). Their data format is designed to record vehicle performance data in real-time. MoTeC creates proprietary “log files” (usually with .ld or .ldx extensions) generated by their i2 (Interpreted) Data Analysis software. * VI-grade is a leading company specializing in driving simulators and virtual testing solutions for the transportation industry. VI-grade provides software for offline simulation (predicting performance) and real-time simulators (driver-in-the-loop). Their formats are designed for high-performance vehicle modelling (handling, ride, NVH), enabling engineers to simulate cars and race tracks before building a physical prototype.
The project’s program features include displaying data on various types of graphs (click below to enlarge), identifying and visualising specific laps from the data, being able to group similar data together and plotting them onto the same graph, and supporting multiple databases being loaded at the same time.
Project Conclusion: Based on the feedback received, the strengths include effectively managing multiple sources of data, custom grouping capabilities, improved workflow, all packaged in a single file.
After graduation: After graduation I aim to move into a motorsports career as a Data Engineer.
Key term: A ‘Data Engineer’ builds and maintains a data infrastructure including the pipelines, databases, and processing computer systems, that converts raw data into actionable information. A Data Engineer ensures the data is accessible, clean, and secure, utilizing tools such as SQL, Python, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) to aid decision-making.
A top tip/advice for students: Manage your work by doing little bits at a time and not leaving it right to the end.
For further information about Computing courses at UWTSD, please click-here.
Many thanks to Adam Curtis (CEO of Hoowla) & Edd Turtle (Senior Software Developer at Hoowla) for recently visiting UWTSD’sSchool of Applied Computing to share industry insights, emerging trends and many top enterprising tips. The talk was thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students alike.
Fig.: Hoowla
Hoowla is a Legal Technology (LegalTech) Company based in Swansea, UK. And provides case management software for Solicitors, Conveyancers & HR.
Adam Curtis (CEO of Hoowla)
Adam shared the story behind Hoowla, showing how a real software business grows from an initial idea into a profitable, scalable company. Adam highlighted that students often focus on finding the perfect idea, but experience shows that execution matters far more. Adam went on to emphasise that the most important step is to begin. Most progress comes from breaking work into smaller tasks, documenting processes, and being comfortable with mistakes along the way. Entrepreneurship and software development are learning processes, not linear paths.
Adam concluded with practical advice drawn from experience: start with a real problem, price products based on usage rather than people, invest in building a good team and accept that sales is always critical, even in technical businesses. Ultimately, he encouraged students to enjoy the journey of building something meaningful, recognising that while outcomes matter, most of the value comes from what you learn and build along the way.
“We’re proud to be based in Swansea while supporting businesses across the UK. Engaging with students is something we genuinely value, as it provides a real-world perspective on building and running a software business after graduation. We’re also passionate about supporting the local employment landscape, and we regularly recruit graduates from UWTSD who bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and a strong drive to learn and grow within the business.” – Adam Curtis
Fig.: Edd Turtle (Senior Software Developer at Hoowla)
Edd focused on the realities of turning software ideas into working, real‑world products. A central message was that developers must always consider who the software is for, where it runs (web, embedded devices, client vs server), how quickly it needs to respond, and how it will be deployed and supported.
Edd went on to discuss technology choices and stressed that ‘Proven tools’ such as relational databases, established backend languages, and stable front‑end frameworks save time and money and reduce risk. He highlighted popular programming languages (drawing on TIOBE rankings) and showed how trends change, reinforcing the idea that fundamentals matter more than chasing the latest tools.
A significant part of the presentation explored modern development practices, including rapid prototyping and the growing role of AI in software development. Edd noted that a substantial portion of code is now AI‑generated, which changes how developers work but does not remove the need for understanding, testing, and responsibility. He also outlined the typical structure of a web application, introducing concepts from the Twelve‑Factor App approach and emphasising scalable infrastructure that can start small but grow over time.
Finally, Edd highlighted the importance of teamwork and community in professional software development. Practices such as pair programming, code reviews, and automation (for testing, security, deployment, and documentation) are crucial for quality and maintainability. He encouraged students to seek support through online communities and local software groups, and ended with a coding puzzle to reinforce careful reading, logical thinking, and attention to detail, core skills for any developer.
“It was a real pleasure meeting the students and talking about what we do. Their curiosity, questions, and new ideas make these sessions incredibly motivating and reinforce why sharing real experiences matters.” – Edd Turtle
The Academic staff at UWTSD’s School of Applied Computing would like to thank Adam & Edd for taking the time to speak with our students and share their valuable experience, industry knowledge and insights. 👏🙂 Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Geraint Williams (Director of Mission Control – left above) & David Jones (Principal Consultant – right above)
Many thanks to our industry partners from Fujitsu ‘David Jones‘ (Principal Consultant) and Geraint Williams (Director of Mission Control) for visiting the University again to speak with our students and share their valuable knowledge, skills, experience and insights.
Their industry guest Lecture titled ‘Innovation & Project Management‘, brought together decades of industry expertise, offering students a rare and valuable inside look into how innovation really happens within major organisations, and how modern project management brings ideas and solutions to life.
Drawing from Drucker, the UK Government, OECD, and their own experience, they showed that innovation is fundamentally about:
Doing something new that creates value
Improving outcomes, efficiency, effectiveness, and quality
Turning ideas into implemented change that benefits people and society
Innovation succeeds when it is: Novel, Implemented (not just imagined), Value-creating and Adaptable to changing needs.
They outlined different types of innovation and what drives Successful innovation. And that a sustainable innovation culture rests on four pillars:
Leadership that champions experimentation
Workforce empowerment and diverse skills
Processes that are agile and user‑centred
Partnerships across academia, industry, and civil society [
The second half of the session unpacked real-world project delivery, comparing traditional and modern AgileProject Management approaches.
Both speakers gave insights from major industry projects. They emphasised that innovation means nothing unless it can be delivered, and delivery fails without the ability to innovate. Students gained industry insights and a powerful, industry‑tested message: Technology, Solutions & Big ideas matter. Bold leadership matters. But People and the Social element are vital for success: Collaboration is what turns ideas into real positive impact and results.
Geraint Williams “Thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the students and sharing industry insights on driving successful innovation, along with the pros and cons of different project management methodologies.”
David Jones “It was a great opportunity to come back to UWTSD and bring some insights from working in a wide variety of roles through my career. Focusing on Innovation and Project Management, I was able to share real‑world perspectives on how organisations navigate change, deliver value, and harness creative thinking to solve complex challenges.”
We would like to thank both David & Geraint for taking the time to come back to the University again to share their valuable experience and expertise. And look forward to further collaboration in the future. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Celebrating a New Appointment: Elliott Atkins joins UWTSD as Professor of Practice in Applied Computing
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Elliott Atkins as a new Professor of Practice within the Applied Computing Academic Discipline at the University. This distinguished role recognises Elliott’s exceptional professional achievements and industry expertise he brings to our university community.
Speaking after his appointment, Elliott said “I’m delighted to have been appointed as a Professor of Practice at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. I’m really looking forward to sharing real-world insights and experience with students, early-career academics and staff, as well as contributing to curriculum development across the Applied Computing, Cyber Security, and Digital Forensics programmes.”
With a career spanning nearly three decades at the forefront of global cyber security, incident response, and national digital resilience, Elliott’s appointment strengthens and will further enhance real‑world industry learning experiences for our students.
A Leader in National Cyber Security: Elliott is an internationally recognised leader in the field of cyber security. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has held several high-profile positions central to the UK’s national cyber resilience, including:
Managing Director of Exercise3: an NCSC‑assured provider of realistic cyber incident exercises, founded by Elliott in 2014 to prepare organisations for complex cyber crises using highly accurate scenario‑based training.
Head of the UK Government’s Computer Emergency Response Team (GovCertUK) at GCHQ, leading 24×7 national incident response operations.
Head of Cyber Intelligence at QinetiQ, contributing to defence and national security innovation.
Head of Incident Response at Nominet, the UK’s top‑level domain registry, overseeing the protection of critical national internet infrastructure.
Elliott’s influence also extends internationally, as he serves as the UK liaison member of FIRST, the global forum for incident response teams, helping shape standards and collaboration across more than 800 CSIRTs worldwide.
Royal Appointment: CISO to the Royal Household: A unique highlight in Elliott’s career is his appointment by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the Royal Household’s first Chief Information Security Officer in 2021. This role was created as part of a heightened national effort to strengthen the monarchy’s cyber security posture against increasingly sophisticated threats. His appointment was a key step in safeguarding sensitive digital assets across the Royal Household.
Honours, Fellowships, and Industry Recognition: Elliott is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a recognition of his sustained contribution to the advancement of cyber security practice.
He also has a long record of community and charitable leadership. Outside the digital realm, Elliott is passionate about aviation heritage and serves as Chair of Trustees of the Panavia Tornado Preservation Group, a charity dedicated to preserving the iconic Tornado aircraft and inspiring future generations of engineers and aviators.
Elliott’s commitment to developing cyber resilience and technical capability aligns strongly with UWTSD’s mission to prepare graduates for critical roles in an increasingly digital world.
A Transformative Contribution to UWTSD: As a Professor of Practice, Elliott will play a significant role in enhancing the Applied Computing provision at the university. He brings world‑leading expertise and will help support our programmes in cyber security, digital forensics, and incident response. This is an extraordinary opportunity for students, staff, and partners alike to engage with one of the UK’s most experienced practitioner‑leaders in cyber security.
With gratitude, we warmly welcome Elliott to the university and look forward to the contribution he will bring to our community.
Today’s blog post features 2 inspiring UWTSD journeys, that show the power of creative and technical education in supporting and transforming peoples lives & futures.
Mia Harries is turning her passion for computer games into a creative career, growing in confidence and industry readiness through hands‑on learning, professional networking, and her long‑standing involvement with Yr Egin.
Meanwhile, Adam Moore has reshaped his career through UWTSD’s Digital Degree Apprenticeship in Computing, progressing from NHS data analyst to an emerging researcher developing AI tools that support clinical decision‑making. Together, their stories showcase how UWTSD empowers learners of all backgrounds to thrive, whether in the world of game design or Computer Science & groundbreaking healthcare innovation.
Mia Harries is turning a passion into a Creative Career. Mia’s time on UWTSD’s BA Computer Game Design course has helped her grow in confidence, creativity, and professional readiness.
Supported by a practical, industry‑focused learning environment, her wide-ranging course experience, combined with meaningful industry contact and her long-standing involvement with Yr Egin – where she has led workshops, built technical skills, and expanded her professional network, has shaped her into a confident emerging game designer. 🎮🎨
Mia now looks ahead to securing a role in a Welsh games studio while continuing freelance work, grateful for the skills, friendships, and guidance that have prepared her for the industry.
Adam Moore, a Data Scientist from Narberth, credits the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Digital Degree Apprenticeship in Computing (Data and Information Systems) with transforming his career and opening the door to advanced work in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and healthcare. While working at Hywel Dda University Health Board, Adam discovered a strong affinity for maths and data, and with encouragement from colleagues, he enrolled in the apprenticeship. This opportunity allowed him to study while working full‑time, supporting his family, and progressing professionally.
Throughout the four‑year programme, Adam successfully balanced academic study with full‑time employment, during which he got married, welcomed two children, and earned three promotions. The apprenticeship equipped him with the skills and confidence to excel in postgraduate study. Now undertaking doctoral research in AI and healthcare, he aims to contribute to innovations that enhance patient care and shape the future of digital health services.
Adam is a strong advocate for UWTSD’s apprenticeship route, praising it’s accessibility and the exceptional support offered by the university. UWTSD leaders emphasise how his journey reflects the programme’s impact across Wales, while colleagues at Hywel Dda describe him as a highly valued staff member whose AI work is already making a meaningful difference in clinical decision‑making.
“I want to play an active role in using AI to revolutionise healthcare and improve patient outcomes,” he said. “The apprenticeship was the foundation that made all of this possible.”
Adam continues to advocate for UWTSD’s Degree Apprenticeship route and encourages others to take advantage of the opportunity.
“It’s an incredible pathway for anyone looking to progress in their career,” he said. “It’s open to professionals of all ages who want to develop their skills and the support from the UWTSD team is exceptional.”
Our staff and students recently enjoyed an engaging and inspiring trip to Yr Egin in Carmarthen.
Yr Egin is a creative and digital hub located on the UWTSD Carmarthen campus, home to the Welsh‑language broadcaster S4C and a wide community of media, arts, and digital businesses. Designed to inspire creativity and nurture new talent, the centre provides state‑of‑the‑art production facilities, hot‑desking spaces, an auditorium, and a programme of cultural and industry events. Since opening in 2018, it has developed into a vibrant venue that supports collaboration between students, professionals, and local creatives while contributing significantly to the regional economy and strengthening the Welsh language through its cultural output.
Exploring Creativity and Careers: UWTSD Computing Visit to Yr Egin, Carmarthen
Recently, UWTSD Computing staff and students travelled to Yr Egin, the vibrant creative and digital centre based on the Carmarthen campus. Home to S4C, production companies, freelancers, and a growing community of digital talent, Yr Egin proved the perfect place for students to gain behind‑the‑scenes insights into animation, media production, education technology, and the realities of working in the creative industries. The day combined inspiring talks from industry professionals, a guided tour of S4C’s facilities, and an opportunity to see how creative ideas evolve from early sketches to polished on‑screen productions.
Twt Productions: Getting Started in the Creative Industries
The first speaker of the day was Siwan Jobbins from Twt Productions, who offered practical guidance for students hoping to break into animation and media. Siwan emphasised the importance of keeping things simple when pitching ideas: if you can’t summarise your concept in one clear sentence, it’s not ready yet. She also stressed how crucial strong visuals and a realistic budget are when presenting a project.
Students were given a useful roundup of upcoming festivals, networking events, and industry platforms—from the Cardiff Animation Festival to tender portals such as S4C Production Tenders, BBC Education Commissioning, and Sell2Wales. For graduates, Siwan encouraged maintaining momentum: keep learning, keep applying, and keep refining your skills. Early in your career, she explained, you may need to give up some rights to get your name out there, but as you gain experience you’ll have more influence and ownership over your work.
Cloth Cat: Craft, Creativity and Career Longevity
Next, the group heard from Jon Rennie of Cloth Cat Animation, whose talk blended humour, honesty, and invaluable advice. Jon reinforced the importance of LinkedIn and social media for building visibility in the industry. He encouraged students to develop original showreels—avoiding overused film clips—and to pay attention to how other animators solve problems under tight budgets. Sometimes, he noted, creativity is about making smart compromises, such as omitting footprints in a snowy scene when deadlines are tight.
Jon urged students to constantly update their skills, be adaptable, and above all be reliable: in animation, meeting deadlines is just as important as artistic flair.
He also shared insights from his project “The Ghost of Midwinter / Ysbryd yr Oerfel,” a bilingual S4C Christmas animation produced in just six months. Students watched how a short sequence developed across four stages: from storyboards, to character animation, to effects, and finally to fully rendered backgrounds. It was a clear, fascinating demonstration of the full animation pipeline.
Inside S4C: Touring the Creative Spaces of Yr Egin
The tour of Yr Egin gave students a glimpse into live studios, editing suites, and the collaborative workspaces used by media professionals. The group met Steffan Rhys Williams, a music producer and composer who has contributed to S4C for more than 20 years. Steffan discussed the realities of composing for television, explaining how he sometimes outsources parts of the process so he can focus on creative direction.
Students also visited the hot‑desking area, which UWTSD graduates can use for six months after completing their studies—a valuable opportunity to network, start freelance work, or collaborate with the industry professionals based in the building.
Antur Amser: Blending Animation, Gaming and Education
The final speaker, Osian Evans, shared insights from Antur Amser, an ambitious educational entertainment project that follows a group of children from the year 2174 who travel back to different eras in Earth’s history. The characters act as a creative gateway into subjects such as science, history, and geography, blending classroom learning with storytelling and interactive media.
Osian explained the iterative design process behind the characters and emphasised the importance of giving animators precise instructions—highlighted by the time a “robot with anti‑gravity technology” accidentally ended up flapping wings because directions were unclear.
He also discussed the balance between gaming and learning, and how using existing platforms like YouTube and Roblox helps reach young audiences more effectively than trying to build entirely new ecosystems. Where possible, the team uses pre‑built assets, reserving bespoke modelling for niche cases—an essential strategy for meeting deadlines and budgets.
Where AI Fits In: Not a Replacement, but a Team Member
Osian also spoke about the role of AI‑assisted animation, emphasising that AI complements human creativity rather than replacing it. While AI can accelerate early drafts, improve workflow capacity, and support low‑budget productions like vodcasts, it is not suitable for areas like scripting. Instead, he described AI as a “first draft collaborator”: useful for rough animation tests before the real artistry begins. Tools such as HeyGen are now commonly used for rapid prototyping, helping creators gather feedback earlier and refine their ideas faster.
A Day of Inspiration and Industry Insight
The visit to Yr Egin offered our Computing students a rich, realistic look at the creative industries—highlighting both the opportunities available and the hard work and adaptability required to thrive in them. From pitching and production pipelines to character design and the role of AI, the day showcased the many pathways open to students interested in animation, digital creativity, and media technology.
Most importantly, the trip demonstrated just how connected UWTSD students are to Wales’ creative sector. Yr Egin isn’t just a building—it’s a collaborative hub where ideas grow, careers begin, and the next generation of digital storytellers can find their place.
We would like thank all the staff and industry experts from Yr Egin who made the day so enjoyable and inspiring for us all. Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi.
Graduate profile for Dale Warner, a Solutions Engineer at Cisco.
"Exposure to new and challenging events is critical. Everyone is winging it; no one can know it all."
"Creativity requires play, and play can be messy. Embrace the cluttered desk!"
"My days can range from face-to-face customer meetings across the UK, building high level plans/designs/BoMs from my home office, or turning my time to study so I can stay on-top of the latest technology trends."
Q. Job title and role? Solutions Engineer at the Central Government Team at Cisco
Q. Briefly describe the organization you work for? Cisco are the market leader when it comes to networking. They also provide cutting edge technologies and services across a wide range of areas; Security, collaboration, observability, to name a few.
Q. Which skills learned at university are helpful to you in your job? While at university the most important skill I learned was how to concisely present a complex idea or solution. Being able to do so allows me to talk and explain new products and ideas to customers, cutting out all the unnecessary fluff.
Q. A typical day and how would you describe it? Like any engineer, two days are very rarely the same. But I talk with customers about their technical issues and look to provide Cisco solutions to bridge the gap. This requires me having a board understanding of a range of technologies and where/how Cisco products can be used. My days can range from face-to-face customer meetings across the UK, building high level plans/designs/BoMs from my home office, or turning my time to study so I can stay on-top of the latest technology trends.
Q. What aspects of your job do you enjoy most? I enjoy meeting customers, understanding their needs, and proposing suitable solutions. This, alongside learning on the latest technologies and having a future vision of the technology industry.
Q. Advise for students who would like to start a Career? It’s okay not to have an end goal, so long as you know what you want to do next. When your end destination isn’t set you can put all your effort into achieving your next goal. Exposure to new and challenging events is critical. Everyone is winging it; no one can know it all.
Q. A quote that you like / live by / inspires you? My favorite quote is a quip from Albert Einstein “if a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” I’d like to add – creativity requires play, and play can be messy. Embrace the cluttered desk!
Thank you for your profile Dale, it will help to inspire current and future students. We are most grateful. We hope to see you at future alumni events. Well done and Congratulates on your success Dale. Da iawn a llongyfarchiadau Dale
We’re thrilled to announce that in the Guardian University Guide 2026, our courses have ranked 1st in Wales & 9th in the UK for Animation & Games Design and 1st in Wales & 11th in the UK for Computer Science and Information Systems. 🎉🎊
This achievement reflects our dedication to delivering hands-on, real-world industry relevant learning experiences, with exceptional student support. Our highly qualified, industry-experienced staff work hard to ensure students are prepared for a successful future with the practical knowledge & employability skills they need to excel.
A huge thank you to our students, staff, and supportive community for making this recognition possible. 🙏👍
For information about our courses, please click-here.
What truly inspires me about animation and the broader field of digital arts is the unlimited creative potential it offers. I have a genuine passion for games, animation, VFX, and CGI, particularly the captivating effects seen in Marvel movies. The ability to bring ideas to life through digital mediums and create immersive experiences that can transport viewers into different worlds is incredibly motivating.
Video below: BA Game Design animation by Hamza Qasim
Beyond the creative aspects, I’m inspired by how this field connects to my other interests, especially automotive design. The intersection of technical precision and artistic vision in CGI, particularly in automotive visualisation, represents the perfect blend of my passions. What makes this journey even more inspiring is the supportive environment at UWTSD, where I feel encouraged to explore emerging technologies and push the boundaries of what’s possible in animation and interactive media.
Video below: Portfolio from BA Games Design Yr.3 by Hamza Qasim
Throughout my Masters program, I’ve been developing a diverse range of technical and creative skills. On the technical side, I’ve advanced my proficiency in 3D modelling, animation, texturing, and rendering using various versions of Blender (4.0, 4.2, and 4.4). I’ve also expanded into video editing and composition using Wondershare Filmora 13, along with comprehensive sound design capabilities.
Video below: Cans by Hamza Qasim
Video below: Koi by Hamza Qasim
Recently, I’ve ventured into VR development using Unreal Engine 5.5, where I’ve learned to create custom blueprints for asset switching, material switching, and targeted interactions. One of my proudest achievements has been developing a real-time sun movement system that enhances environmental immersion in VR experiences.
Video below: Material Switching & Sun Movement by Hamza Qasim
Beyond technical skills, I’ve been developing crucial soft skills through modules like Leadership, Management and Ethics. This module, though different from animation, has taught me about various leadership styles, management approaches, and proper research methodologies, skills that are invaluable for any creative professional.
Favourite Technology: My current favourite tool is definitely Blender. While we also learn Maya at University, I’ve found that the modelling and animation skills transfer seamlessly to Blender, and it offers several advantages that make it exceptional for independent learning and creative work. What I love most about Blender is its comprehensive nature, I can model, sculpt, texture, animate, composite, and render all within a single application.
The fact that it’s completely free removes financial barriers to learning, and the extensive community support through YouTube tutorials and forums means that virtually any problem I encounter has likely been solved by someone else. The accessibility and community aspect of Blender have been game-changing for my learning process. While Maya still has some advantages, particularly for UV unwrapping, the plugins available for Blender help bridge most gaps, making it an incredibly versatile tool for independent artists and students.
Video below: Liminal Spaces using Advanced Techniques by Hamza Qasim
After you Graduate? My career aspiration is to work as a CGI Artist at an automotive company, with Mercedes-Benz being my preferred destination. This goal is informed by my previous experience working there before enrolling at UWTSD, which gave me valuable insight into the industry and confirmed my passion for automotive visualisation.
Video below: Car in motion by Hamza Qasim
The automotive industry’s increasing reliance on high-quality CGI for marketing, design visualisation, and virtual showrooms aligns perfectly with my skills in 3D modelling, animation, and rendering. My experience with both traditional animation techniques and emerging technologies like VR positions me well for the evolving demands of automotive CGI, where immersive experiences are becoming increasingly important.
Video below: Cloth Reveal by Hamza Qasim
Advice for students? My most important advice is simple but crucial: do something that you truly enjoy. Don’t choose a course based on others’ expectations or perceived prestige, choose it for yourself and your genuine interests.
I love what I study because it encompasses everything I’m passionate about: games, animation, VFX, CGI, and automotive design. This genuine enthusiasm makes the work feel less like a chore and more like an exciting challenge. When you’re passionate about your subject, you naturally strive for excellence and find yourself more resilient when facing difficulties.
Fig.: Digital Arts image
Another key lesson I’ve learned is about perfectionism and deadlines. As an artist, I’ll always strive for perfection, but I’ve come to understand that sometimes you need to aim for the best work possible within tight deadlines rather than perfect work that never gets completed. It’s better to submit a strong, complete project than to miss deadlines chasing an impossible ideal of perfection. The balance between ambition and pragmatism is essential for success in any creative field.
Experience at UWTSD? My experience at UWTSD has been absolutely transformative and couldn’t have been better. The support system here is extraordinary, from Richard Morgan in the Games Design department, who has been my rock throughout my three-year BA journey, to lecturers like Nabeel Masih, Adam Head, Philip Organ, and James Williams, who have consistently encouraged my growth and exploration of emerging technologies. The university’s holistic approach to student support extends beyond academics. The well-being department has been incredibly supportive during challenging times with my mental health, and the entire campus environment, from reception and canteen staff to lecturers, creates an atmosphere that feels genuinely supportive and nurturing.
I’ve had numerous opportunities for leadership and community involvement, serving as Student Representative for both my BA and MA courses and participating in the UWTSD Esports Committee, where we organised events and created lasting memories. The university even pushed me toward pursuing my Masters degree when I wasn’t initially planning to continue, a decision that has proven invaluable. The collaborative environment has allowed me to form lasting friendships with both staff and students, and I’ve been able to contribute through graphic design work for various university projects. If I could change anything about my university experience, it would be nothing, every aspect has been beneficial and has contributed to my growth as both a person and a professional.
~
For further information about Computer Games & Animation courses at UWTSD, please click here.
UWTSD Applied Computing Blog 