Undergraduate success and return to postgraduate study for Computer Animation alumna

Tiegan Hughes, graduate of the Animation and VFX BA, began her journey with UWTSD on the Art and Design Foundation course. After discovering some inspirational 3D animated artwork created by a fellow undergraduate for the Swansea College of Art Summer Show. She applied for the Computer Animation course in 2018 on completion of her foundation course.

Tiegan said:  “I really wanted to learn how to create 3D art and character designs more than the animation itself, but I was also looking forward to learning animation and rendering too. I have a few notable modules that I really enjoyed and some of these also gave me external opportunities. In 2019 I had been noticed by Wacom upon my return to Instagram so for one of my modules in the second year, I decided to make an Advertisement for Wacom with their permission, called First Cinpressions. They really liked the animatic I created for the pre-production so they posted it to their socials. 

In 2020, I decided to make a few of my own personal projects inspired by OMEN by HP and they really liked it, and in 2021 I had a module called Emerging trends and got permission from them to use their branding for the module. I was working with one other student from the computing department to create this project, he worked on the pricing and budgeting, and I designed the products and advertising. I posted the advertising posters to Instagram, and I got an opportunity to create some wallpapers for OMEN for a PC launch as they liked them so much. I have also since been noticed by Alienware for a drawing I created for my portfolio.”

Phil Organ, Senior Lecturer on the Computer Animation course said: “Tiegan's success, her degree and industry links, are commendable - but not the exception. Our ANIMATION & VFX students confront any new challenge or new way of learning, displaying a lot of fortitude and resilience as they practice new animation or FX software and tools, to adapt to exciting new technologies. The advances and crossovers in the industry run parallel in education, allowing for more and more creativity and fantastic adaptations. Our students now combine classical drawn work with 2D or 3D, effects simulations with characters - and more - in their designs, shots and sequences. These experiences provide the best platform for employment. 

They start as apprentices, working from the light of the UWTSD digital forges; they leave as true artists and innovators, to craft the new visions and stories of tomorrow. End of year showreels continue to showcase graduate's creative niche and their strengths in modelling and animated design, as they gain some amazing industry positions as digital artists, working in VFX teams - or securing animation work in the big production studios - across the UK, and around the world.”

Tiegan praised the commitment and support from academics during the pandemic and the student support available, and as a result of this and her success on the undergraduate course, is returning to UWTSD to complete an MA in Advertising. We wish Tiegan the best of luck in her studies and future career.

Further Information

Llinos McVicar BA (Hons), MA, AFHEA, ACIM
Principal Communications and PR Officer Alumni
Prif Swyddog Cyfathrebu a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus Cyn-fyfyrwyr
Ffôn/ Phone 01792 481184  (4184) / 07850 321687                                                               
E Bost/Email: llinos.mcvicar@uwtsd.ac.uk