Creative GradFest21: Charlotte and Iwan land jobs in the Animation industry ahead of graduation

The future is looking bright for Animation students Charlotte Harrison and Iwan Williams, who have already secured jobs in the industry ahead of graduating next month. As part of Creative GradFest21, Charlotte, 21, from Northampton, and Iwan, also 21, from Caerphilly, tell us more about their time at USW.

Why did you choose USW?

Charlotte: “I loved the facilities USW had to offer, and also liked the specific nature of my course [Animation: 2D and Stop Motion] that allowed me to enhance my skills in my preferred area of animation.

Iwan: I thought the Animation course at USW was the course best suited to my interests compared to the others I had seen; I also really liked the facilities and hardware – especially the old school light boxes.

How has the course prepared you for working in the industry?

Charlotte: I've become a lot more confident and knowledgeable in how to apply my animation skills during the course, and it's also taught me to be very flexible and adaptable in tough situations!

Iwan: The course gave me the skills and understanding of the principles of animation, as well as the contacts to be able to enter the industry. Also, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it taught me how to adapt to difficult situations.

Tell us about your job – what is your role and what does it involve?

Charlotte: I’ve recently started working for Studio AKA in London, as a Junior Animator on their children’s series Hey Duggee, which is a really great opportunity! I mostly assist the core animation team throughout production, and I'm given shots to work on for different episodes. 

Iwan: I’m working for A Production, an animation studio based in Bristol, where I work as a layout artist. My role involves preparing animation files so that they are ready for the animators.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to work in Animation?

Charlotte: I think it's important to be respectful and uplifting to your fellow course mates or colleagues. I loved working alongside my incredibly talented course mates, and teamwork is a fundamental part of working in animation; it'll get you far if you're collaborative, respectful and a positive influence in your working environment. 

Iwan: My advice would be to practice the fundamentals, observe how things move, and be keen to learn, as a good understanding of motion and how to represent it will get you further than any software shortcut. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on what’s going on in the industry, especially training courses and internships as they are a really good way to get into the sector.”