NextGen Graduate Showcase 2019

The annual NextGen Graduate Showcase brings together students with leading figures in the creative industries

Bringing industry and education together

NextGen Skills Academy held their third annual Graduate Showcase, on Thursday 4th July 2019 at Westminster Kingsway College, London, bringing together over 40 graduating students from Uxbridge, Sunderland, Sheffield, Gateway and NESCOT Colleges with representatives from world renowned games, animation and visual effects (VFX) studios.

The day started with an industry-led panel on employability skills hosted by Marcia Deakin, NextGen’s Games Partnership Director, and featured great advice on how to stand out from the crowd and break into the industry from (Pictured L-R):

  • Will Cook - Blue Zoo
  • Simon Devereux - The Mill and Access:VFX
  • Joey Langley - Splash Damage
  • Luke Johnson - Creative Assembly
  • Gemma Abdeen - Media Molecule
  • Nick Duncombe - Playground Games
  • Marcia Deakin - NextGen's Games Partnership Director
  • Kayleigh Reeves-Deane - VFX Apprentice at Framestore
  • Ian Landman - Framestore
"Make sure you start your showreel with a bang, put your best work first and make sure it's focused for the role you're going for"

Will Cook, Animation Director, Blue Zoo Animation

Showcasing and engaging with industry

Following the panel, the graduates were given the rare opportunity to show off their impressive portfolios, honed over 2 years studying for the AIM Awards & NextGen Level 3 Extended Diploma in Games, Animation and VFX Skills, to more than 30 representatives from multi-award winning and industry leading companies.

In-between confidently showcasing their work with industry NextGen students shared their reflections on the showcase and their time on the course.

“NextGen has certainly allowed me to not only broaden my understanding and passion for media, it’s allowed me the opportunity to find myself, to be more open about my skills and ability and it’s been a delightful 2 years of becoming a VFX artist!” 

Ben Roughton, Gateway College (Pictured left)

“The course has been great for me. It has kick started my career far more than I could have hoped”

Tom Robson, Sunderland College, twice BAFTA YGD Nominee (Pictured above)

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime these past two years. A very unique course that has given me a new purpose to aim towards.”

Krishnan Hanna, Gateway College 

Thank you to everyone who made the Graduate Showcase such a successful and inspirational day

Thank you to all of the students, tutors, colleges, education, our industry panel and employers who attended and supported our third Graduate Showcase. The level of work being showcased by NextGen students so confidently and professionally was inspirational to see, only made better by the engagement with, and feedback from, educational and industry professionals.

Good luck to the graduating NextGen Class of 2019 in all of your onward journeys, we can’t wait to see the amazing work you produce in the next stages of your career.

Thank you to Westminster Kingsway College for all their support in hosting the showcase, below are some photos kindly taken by them of this fantastic event (click on thumbnail for full size image):