University News Last updated 19 July 2012
UFOs and other strange phenomena have been sighted at numerous locations across Birmingham - thanks to the launch of a new mobile phone app designed by students at Birmingham City University.
The alien-spotting is part of an eye-catching campaign organised by Birmingham Hippodrome to promote the city to young visitors.
The theatre commissioned four second-year animation students from the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, part of Birmingham City University, who have worked in partnership with Birmingham-based design studio, SMILE, to design a smart phone App as part of the Six Summer Saturday’s event programme organised by the Hippodrome.
The app, named ‘Zoe’s Magic Camera’ allows users to view animated characters – including a spoof alien - at various locations across the city by scanning the location with their phone. Landmark locations include The Mailbox, Selfridges, the Rotunda and St Chads Cathedral.
Student Rizwan Khan who has been working on the project said: ''Working with SMILE, which was set up by Birmingham City University graduates, was a very exciting experience and gave us the opportunity to work in a professional environment.
“To be able to see our work go into a project that was intended to make Birmingham a more exciting place to visit is definitely a confidence booster for us as students. We have also come out of it with strong contacts for future work.''
Zoe’s Magic Camera is available to download for free via the App Store.