UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 04 APRIL 2018
Austen joined us as an undergraduate student in 2015 and stayed with us to complete her postgraduate degree. She’s about to take part in a fantastic work placement with Lab 42. We asked Austen to tell us a little more about her time with us at the New Technology Institute and her advice for future students. Read her inspirational story below:
When did you begin your undergraduate degree and what experience had you had before?
I started in September 2015. Before I chose my course, I was planning on studying illustration back home in Lithuania. I had done some work for a small video game company before, to me it just didn't seem like an actual career that could be pursued.
What main skills did you learn?
When I came to the course I only had a bit of knowledge of how to draw digitally using paint tool SAI, and a little bit of 3D modelling knowledge in 3ds max. The course opened up many opportunities to work with lots of different software and techniques. I didn't know what PBR was, how textures worked, nothing about topology or UV maps. Photoshop was a mystery to me but the course can teach you about all of that. I also learnt general art fundamentals, like colour theory and anatomy. But most importantly, I learnt to be more confident in my skills. I think everyone on the course does.
How did you know that the course was right for you?
I knew I wanted to live in Birmingham because it's a diverse city that isn't as big and expensive as London. This is also where several of my friends who had moved to the UK previously lived, so it made moving to another country a lot easier. That's what made me choose the course, but that's not when I realised it was for me. I think the time when I actually realised that was back in module 4, when we had to develop and visualise a concept. It was a module that could be interpreted differently so each student could tailor the task to their strengths and weaknesses, or to something they wanted to explore more. That's why the course is great in my opinion, you're never spoon fed information, you can choose how and what you want to learn and pursue.
Did you change your mind about what you wanted to do in your career?
Yes! My plans originally were to finish some sort of art degree, get a portfolio together, go back to Lithuania to illustrate books while surviving on nothing much else but bread and water, whilst complaining about the economy the whole time. Now I know I can stay in the UK working on something I would love, maybe eventually explore more of the world… Canada seems like a very nice country! I don't want to say money is the most important thing when choosing a career but it sure is nice to know you'll most likely be able to survive with what you earn and possibly even have enough for a good time!
Why did you then choose to continue your studies with a postgraduate degree at the New Technology Institute?
The undergraduate degree taught me a lot but when I got to work with Postgraduates for my final project I realised how much more there still is to learn. Well, that and I heard about the placement and networking opportunities that open up in the postgrad course.
Have your tutors given you any industry opportunities?
Yes! So many times. Our tutors themselves are from the industry so just by knowing them I learnt a lot about it all. Shaun Magher has introduced me to many industry professionals and I even got to work for one of them drawing backgrounds. Besides that, the tutors always try to arrange networking events with people from industry who are looking to recruit, or invite students for placements.
Can you tell me about your work placement with Lab42?
Lab 42 came in to have a chat with the students and asked a few of us to visit their Leamington studio. After meeting them, they offered some of us placements that might later on lead to jobs. I'm hoping this opportunity will go well because they're all lovely people who really like what they're doing and I'd love to be part of that kind of company.
How would you describe the New Technology Institute and the staff and students that are a part of it?
It's a small tightly knit community. I still keep in touch with some people who have already graduated as well as people who are new to the undergraduate course.
They teach you everything you need to know, all you have to do is keep learning and be interested. It's incredibly personal and each tutor is invested in your success. I'm grateful to all of them for everything they've done.
I also wanted to say that it’s a great campus to be on. It's in the middle of town, buzzing with life, there's always something to do here.