Beyond 3D Models: NextGen's approach to education fuels creativity and prepares students for future success

At NextGen, we believe in preparing our students for the future in ways that are out-of-this-world! Recently NextGen students at Barnsley College , St Helens College and Uxbridge College blasted off on an exciting journey – responding to a space-themed industry brief with a focus on 3D modelling, teamwork, and project management.

The brief? Work in small teams over three-days to concept and design a spaceship fleet with the power to either rescue our ailing Earth from the ravages of climate change, or transport humanity to a new home among the stars!

To further enhance the brief each team was given professional feedback halfway through the challenge for them to reflect on and action.

Building essential skills for tomorrow's careers

This brief is not just about designing spaceships and practicing technical modelling skills; it's also about building the attributes and experience that will help propel them to success.

We believe this challenge, and how it introduces important concepts to students, is integral to understanding the creative industries. It helps students to develop their skills in:

Collaboration and teamwork

Working in small teams has taught our NextGen students the value of collaboration. They've honed their ability to communicate, share ideas, and problem-solve as a cohesive unit. In a world where teamwork is essential, these skills are invaluable.

Innovation and Creativity

The brief encourages students to think outside the box. They've had the freedom to let their imaginations run wild, fostering creativity and innovation. These qualities are essential in fields where ideas can set you apart.

Adaptability

Virtual collaboration and project management are skills that are becoming vital in the professional world. Our students are gaining hands-on experience collaborating in an industry standard digital workspace.

Receiving feedback and refinement

Interactions with industry professionals provide an invaluable learning experience. Our students have had the privilege of having experts review their projects, offering constructive feedback for them to reflect on and action. This fosters a growth mindset and a dedication to continuous improvement.

Problem solving

Creating a spaceship fleet isn't without its challenges. Our students have had to navigate complex problems and find solutions in the process. These problem-solving skills are highly transferable and will serve them well in any career.

By engaging in projects like this, our students develop a genuine passion for learning and problem-solving. They begin to see learning as a lifelong journey, which is a vital perspective to carry into the workforce.

Thank you to industry for nurturing young talent

This spaceship challenge isn't just about building 3D models; it's about building futures. These experiences equip our students with the skills, mindsets, and determination they need to thrive in their future careers, as evidenced by the feedback we had from industry:

Engy Jarrouj, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist at Framestore, said:

“It was great meeting all the students and seeing how passionate they are about their work and the creative industries! They have put so much effort into their work that can easily be seen in their final results. The way they documented the whole process shows their ability to give a story behind every creative decision they made throughout. It was great to hear about the challenges they have faced, and how they have overcome them as a team!”

Adam Dewhirst, Lead Modeller at Industrial Light & Magic, said:

“It's always a pleasure to meet young aspiring artists. I felt like the students really gained a lot from these interactions with working professionals and they seemed very responsive to the feedback we provided. The work was great, lots of really outside the box thinking. We saw some very classic sci-fi tropes and some completely radical ideas explored, there was a great variety of work from the students!”

We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone from industry who has supported this challenge:

?? Gary Bendelow , Senior Animator, Declan Larkins , Studio Marketing Executive, David Blewett , Art Director, and Matthew Throup , Character Artist, from Red Kite Games for visiting Barnsley College.

?? Adam Dewhirst , Lead Modeller at Industrial Light & Magic , and Angie Engelbert Fowler, M. Ed , Art & Design Learning Manager at Blizzard Entertainment , for their feedback to Uxbridge students.

?? Matt Beech, Senior 3D Artist, and Thomas Buxton , 2D Artist at Ripstone , for visiting St Helens College.

?? Engy Jarrouj Diversity and Inclusion Specialist at Framestore , and Adam Dewhirst at Industrial Light & Magic, for joining our final celebration call.

Upcoming adventures: NextGen colleges across the network take on the challenge

Students at Barnsley College, St Helens College, and Uxbridge College have set the bar high with their achievements!

In the coming weeks, other colleges across the NextGen network will embark on this experience. We can’t wait to see the creative innovations and collaborative efforts that will unfold in their projects, and we look forward to sharing their work and stories. Stay tuned to our page for more updates.