MY EXPERIENCE
I am a freelance consultant in Digital Archaeology having spent over 30 years in the field of 3D graphics both commercially and as a lecturer teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. My expertise revolves around digital archaeology, digital heritage, 3D modelling/scanning, and game development. Between 2000-2014 I was responsible for the design, validation (and re-validation), and delivery of the game art, design and animation programmes at Teesside University. These were the very first degrees in Games Art and Games Animation which made Teesside University one of the world’s largest providers of computer games graduates. Since 2015 my focus has been on digital archaeology. My work has been used for documentaries, books, magazines and within various research projects. I am also an Autodesk Certified Trainer for 3d Studio Max. I am presently undertaking research, at the University of York, in the digital visual storytelling of Amarna and how the various methods used can be transferred to other archaeological sites. This page gives an outline of my experience. Feel free to contact me using the form below.
EDUCATION
Currently studying for a MA in Archaeology (by research) University of York
BA in Archaeology (First Class Honours) University of Leicester
MA in Computer Animation, Teesside University
Technology Foundation Course (2 yrs part-time)Open University
Science Foundation Course (1 yr part-time)Open University
HNC Computer ScienceGateshead Technical College
HNC Electrical & Electronic EngineeringGateshead Technical College
Diploma in General Engineering (2 yrs full-time)Gateshead Technical College
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SKILLS
I am proficient in the following archaeological techniques / technologies:
- Excavation, recording, site planning and surveying
- Single context excavation and recording of complex archaeological deposits, i.e. skeletal remains
- Experimental archaeology. Construction of furnace and hearths, metal casting
RESEARCH SKILLS
I am a very competent researcher with extensive experience in the following:
- Historical Mapping.
- National, international and local archival research.
- Property research.
- Family record research including BMD’s, probates, and parish records.
SPECIFIC TECHNICAL SKILLS
I am proficient in the following techniques / technologies and software packages:
- 3D Modelling & Digital Sculpting (Autodesk 3dsmax, Autodesk Mudbox)
- 3D Scanning (Laser & Structured Light)
- 3D Printing (including hand finishing and general workshop practice)
- Shader Development (Substance Designer, Substance Painter)
- CG Animation, inc. particle effects, rigid & soft body dynamics, fluid dynamics, rag doll simulation and crowd behaviour systems.
- Photogrammetry including Structure-from-motion (SfM)
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- 2D image editing (Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects)
- Desktop Publishing (Adobe InDesign)
- Web design, hosting and content management.
- Spreadsheet and database management.
POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY
In 2000 I joined Teesside University where I was initially the only academic member of staff to deliver modules in games art & design. As a result I was responsible for the design and development of the ‘creative’ games portfolio for students graduating with a ‘creative’ games degree from Teesside between the period 2000-2016. During this period my areas of responsibility included:
- Head of Games Art & Design.
- Head of Games & Animation.
- Management of curriculum development team.
- Responsible for the design, validation and revalidation of the following programmes (validation dates in brackets):
- BA (Hons) Computer Games Design (2001, 2004, 2008, 2012)
- BA (Hons) Computer Games Art (2004, 2008, 2012)
- BA (Hons) Computer Games Animation (2004, 2008, 2012)
- MA Computer Games Art (2005)
- MA Computer Games Art (Character) (2007)
- MA Computer Games Art (Environment) (2007)
- MA Computer Games Art (Vehicular) (2007)
- BA (Hons) Technical Illustration (2014)
- Membership of the School Academic Standards Committee (SASC) and Policy Committee.
- Coordinated academic and policy dissemination.
- Management and supervision of academic staff.
- Setting and marking of in-course assessments.
- Supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations and theses.
- Supporting students in a pastoral/advisory role.
SAMPLE PROJECTS
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXPERIENCE
Co-Director of Cleveland Archaeological Trust
(www.clevelandarchaeology.com)
My remit is based on the collection, analysis, archiving, and dissemination of archaeological material relating to their ongoing projects through the use of digital archaeological methods.
Photogrammetry Consultant/Trainer
Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project (SHARP)
I run a week-long course on photogrammetry onsite during the summer season which includes practical projects involving a mixture of the following:
- Artefact photogrammetry
- Excavation detail photogrammetry
- Large structure photogrammetry
- Aerial site photogrammetry
The Amarna Project
I have been actively engaged with the Amarna Project through Barry Kemp where I have developed several photogrammetric projects alongside some 3D reconstructions for publication.
Archaeological Excavation
I have been involved in excavations at Arbeia Roman Fort (South Shields), Thornton Abbey (Lincolnshire), All Saints Church (York), SHARP (Norfolk), Eston Hills (Redcar and Cleveland), Boroughgate (Redcar and Cleveland), Airy Hill Farm (Redcar and Cleveland), and Street House Farm (Redcar and Cleveland).
EMPLOYMENT
Technical Artist & Researcher (3D Digital Historical Reconstruction)
(Present; North East England based)
Investigating technical and visual solutions for digital heritage.
Academic Misconduct Co-ordinator (Principal Lecturer)
(January, 2014 to December, 2015; Teesside University, Middlesbrough; Full-time)
I took this post to alter my workload and allow me time to pursue my research interests in Historical Reconstruction.
- Acting on behalf of the Assistant Dean (Learning & Teaching) to investigate academic misconduct across all School programmes including franchise partnerships.
- Course Leader (BA (Hons) Indie Games Design)
- Course Leader (MComp Games Development)
Head of Games Art & Design (Principal Lecturer)
(September, 2011 to January, 2014; Teesside University, Middlesbrough; Full-time)
- Managing the newly formed Games Art & Design Section.
Head of Games & Animation (Principal Lecturer)
(October, 2006 to September, 2011; Teesside University, Middlesbrough; Full-time)
- Management of the Games Design, Games Art, Games Animation, General Animation, and Character Animation subject areas.
- Responsible for the curriculum development of the above areas.
Principal Lecturer (Games Art)
(April, 2006 to October, 2006; Teesside University, Middlesbrough; Full-time)
- Curriculum development in games art and design.
- 3D Modelling & Texturing for Games.
- Animation for Games.
- Visual Effects for Games.
Senior Lecturer (Games Design)
(June, 2000 to April, 2006; Teesside University, Middlesbrough; Full-time)
- Development of programmes in Games Design and 3D Modeling & Texturing.
- Development of online teaching resources (3dfoundation.com)
3D Artist & in-house Trainer
(1997 to 2000; Acclaim Studios, Stockton-on-Tees; Full-time)
- Working as part of the team developing multi-platform games including the ‘Shadowman’ and ‘Forsaken’ brands.
- Specialising in level construction, character design & construction and all forms of texturing.
- Additional responsibilities included construction of promotional material, game demo videos and in-house training.
Lead 3d Artist & Project Coordinator
(1992 to 1997; Eutechnyx, Gateshead; Full-time)
- Responsible for the training of artists within the studio.
- Cut sequence development.
- Graphics development using Alias/Wavefront on the SG platform.
Freelance Programmer / Artist
(Pre 1992; Newcastle; Full-time)
- Worked on projects for Activision, Ocean, Infogrames, Atari, EA, Microsoft.
- Programmed on various consoles, including Atari, NES, SNES, Sega Mega Drive.
- Began working as 3D software trainer to help artists move from 2D to 3D.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I have taught at undergraduate and postgraduate level for 15 years. During that time I have prepared and delivered a number of modules with some being initially developed by myself before being transferred to other academic members for delivery. The following is an outline of my teaching experience.
Design and preparation of teaching materials.
- Digital Cartography (FHEQ Level 4)
- Creative Technical Authoring (FHEQ Level 4)
- Historical Reconstruction (FHEQ Level 5)
- Real-time Visualisation (FHEQ Level 5)
- Precision Modelling (3D) (FHEQ Level 5)
- Product Assembly Visualisation (FHEQ Level 5)
- Applied Technical Journalism (FHEQ Level 6)
Module leadership
- Supervision of students through module delivery – undergraduate (FHEQ level 4)
- Introduction to 3D Modelling
- Introduction to Asset Creation for Games
- Supervision of students through module delivery – undergraduate (FHEQ level 5)
- 3D Modelling for Games
- 3D Environment Modelling for Games
- Environment Production for Games
- Character Production for Games
- Mechanical Asset Creation for Games
- Animation for Games
- Computer Games Design
- Digital Image Manipulation for Games
- Digital Imaging and Texturing for Games
- Portfolio & Project Pre-production for Games
- Creative Portfolio Development
- The Journeyman Project
- Journeyman Outsource Project
- Supervision of students through module delivery – undergraduate (FHEQ level 6)
- 3D Effects for Games
- Contemporary Studies in Games (research module)
- Final Year Project Supervision
- Supervision of students through module delivery – Post graduate (FHEQ level 7)
- 3D Content Creation for Games
- Asset Creation for Games
- Contextual Studies in Games Art
- Digital Sculpting & Texturing for Games
- Character Studies in Computer Games Art
- Vehicular Studies in Computer Games Art
- Environment Studies in Computer Games Art
- Character Modelling and Animation
- Masters Project Supervision
General
- Mentoring new academic members of staff.
- Seminar experience (max 20 per group).
- Lab supervision (max 20 per group).
Get In Touch
If you want to contact me please leave your name and email below along with what you are looking for in the message box.