Month: December 2023

I have been researching into the possibility of starting a PHD since September 2023. I have numerous reasons for this interest:

I strongly enjoy being in education and would love to develop my skills and knowledge of animation further in depth.

I feel passionate about a specific research area and believe I can contribute new ideas to the field.

I am very interested in pursuing lecturer roles and completing a PhD would enable me to achieve that goal.

I spent the majority of October researching different PhD courses available and ultimately decided to apply through CSM. I wrote a research proposal, explaining my initial idea, aims, methodology and theoretical and ethical considerations. My chosen topic is Decolonising Animation Through New Technologies – looking at how we can utilise the emergence of upcoming technological releases within the field of animation to diversify and decolonise animation, making it more accessible.

I attended tutorials and meetings with various tutors and sought the advice from various academics both on my course and from a wider net of universities. I also called upon people I know personally for their anecdotal experience of doing a PhD. I felt well-equipped to complete my application, and had time pressure to do so in order to also qualify for a studentship application to fund my studies.

Sadly, my application was rejected, however I received thorough feedback relating to how I could refine and specialise my proposal, having put more research into the specific area of colonisation I wished to focus upon. This has been incredibly helpful and has not deterred me from applying again, as well as looking at other PhD opportunities at other universities such as the RCA and Bristol. I shall continue to do further research into the New Year, and shall think about applying for the second round of applications, as well as re-applying for the next academic year, as having some time post-graduation to approach the animation industry and work within it would be equally as beneficial and will give me a stronger foundation from which to base my research upon.

Throughout my time on this course I have been supporting my studies through working as both a technical teaching assistant, and a specialist technician, providing animation support to students. This has helped to provide me with an income while on the course, and has expanded my own practice and knowlsdge as an animator while gaining experience in supporting others.

My first role as a technical teaching assistant at London College of Communication began in January 2023, and is due to continue until January 2024. The role has included responsibilities such as delivering briefs to students, teaching them stop motion softwares such as Dragonframe and Stop Motion Studio and encouraging them to explore the boundaries of accessible materials such as paper and cardboard.

My specialist technician role began in February 2023 and continued through til August. I was working for the Illustration Studios at Camberwell College of Arts. It was unfortunately temporary as I was providing cover for the role. My responsibilities included providing both on-site and online support to students, delivering animation workshops relating to Dragonframe, Adobe Animate and Stop Motion Studio, specifically discussing stop motion techniques, frame by frame, motion graphics and rigging. I was also responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of specialist technical equipment such as computers, drawing tablets, cameras, lights, studio spaces, stock rooms, VR headsets and 3D printers. In my time at Camberwell I built four Prusa 3D printers, also building enclosures around them and installing add-on features such as air filtration devices, LED lights and mechanical locks on the doors to avoid tampering or student injury. I thoroughly enjoyed this role and all responsibilities given to me within it, I learnt a lot about the compassionate delivery of education and technical support and the importance of safeguarding. I was lucky enough to be able to work there while students prepared for their graduate show and I had the privelege of playing a key role in the AV set up of the screening of their animated films. I edited the showreel together, balanced the audio, coded a HTML website for an online exhibition of their films, and set up the cinema, projector, speakers, and seating for audience members to enjoy their films. I also sent out Moodle schedulers, communicated important info regarding workshops via email and provided informal 1:1 support per students requests. I 3D printed armatures for the students to utilise in workshops and as part of their own practice as it was more cost effective than ordering metal ones. I helped to manage the budget and inventory costs and worked collaboratively with other technicians to ensure the best technical support possible.

This is a role I would adore to do again! I am continuously searching on job boards such as Arts Temps and UAL Internal Jobs for similar opportunities as I think the experience is thoroughly enjoyable and one I could do alongside developing my own projects and practice as an animator.