Students from the University of Winchester gave a glimpse of the future of design at a special end-of-year exhibition.
The University’s Department of Digital Design & Immersive Technologies showcased a host of ingenious games, apps and devices at ‘Code & Canvas’ at the West Downs Centre.
Work in the fields of computer games design development, digital media design, 3D Visualisation, 3D Digital media development, CAD, and Immersive technologies.
Zak Roberts, who was demonstrating 3D printing at the event, also proudly displayed the logo of his business ZD Design and Print which he has set up with fellow student Daniel Hill.
The pair have developed a smart device, which when placed in a kitchen food cupboard will scan the goods inside and give the householder recipe ideas based on the contents of their larder. It can also alert the owner to expiry dates.
Food is also the subject of a Fair-Trade app created by Rob Beresford-Smith. It scans supermarket produce and makes ethical choices over what to buy and who it helps. Rob has already completed a successful 12-week placement with local agency EPLS in Winchester through the departments extensive creative network supporting the digital students.
Lex Chaffey, who plans to become mobile tattooist, shows some of his designs
Lex Chaffey (Yr3) is an illustrator and has diversified his talents into a business idea. He plans to become one of the UK’s few mobile tattooists, visiting customers in their homes or at events, on his motorbike.
“Studying at Winchester has allowed me to move from pencil and paper and catch up with the digital world and sharpen my design skills,” said Lex, from Bournemouth.
Shahrzad (Shaz) Beevis with her horror video game - 404 Exit Not Found
Shahrzad (Shaz) Beevis (Yr3) also has a clear business plan. She was encouraging visitors to Code & Canvas to play her horror video game - 404 Exit Not Found, the player must try to escape from a creepy old house.
Shaz, who is also a Women in Games Ambassador, hopes to develop a commercial version of the game through her own company Lost Cause Games. She is also producer on Tomebound, an ongoing student project, which has been two years in the making.
“I really enjoy games which make you question what you are playing,” said Shaz. “404 Exit Found came out of my research project on how horror games evoke fear.”
In addition to a variety of computer games, students also displayed board games they had devised.
Year 1 Abigal Brown produced her own original board game about thieving raccoons called Bin Bandits. It draws on her love of Marvel films for the characterisations of the animals and mixes this with influences from her Chinese heritage, including the lettering style used and the food items that are up for grabs.
Other board games on show included tennis-inspired Centre Court, and Olympus in which players adopt a character from Greek mythology.
Visitors and exhibitors at Code & Canvas at the West Downs Centre
Lecturer of Digital Media Design Tina Scahill said of the event: “The students on our courses are passionate about their subjects and this really came across in our exhibition. We welcomed four design agencies to view and chat with students about their work, and we really embody the universities position of being in the top 10 for employability.
"The Year 2 team who designed the event worked with our colleagues in events management to ensure they understood a process, and our teams from estates to conferences were essential in helping our event being the success it was. Can’t wait for next year!”
Pictured top: Zak Roberts and Daniel Hill with the logo of their business ZD Design and Print which they set up while at the University of Winchester
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