Staff Directory

2007 : Excellence in FE Teaching Status – Coleg Morgannwg

1999 – 2001 : Post-Graduate Certificate of Education – Coleg Morgannwg

1990 – 1993 : BA 3D Design – Kingston University

1989 – 1990 : Foundation Diploma in Art & Design – U.W.I.C.

Main teaching areas: All aspects of 3D Computer Animation & 3D Digital Art.
Pre-production for Animation and 3D CG Art assets, Character Animation, Acting Techniques, 3D CG Digital Art, 3D CG VFX, Storyboarding, Character Design, Animated Film-making, Games Design and Asset Creation.

After an initial career in SFX, Commercials and Kids TV in the early 90s, Gareth became embroiled in the world of Animation education in 1996 and has been Course Leader for the Computer Animation course at USW since 2003.

Teaching Experience

2007 – Present F.C.I. University of Glamorgan/South Wales
Course Leader / Senior Lecturer – BA (Hons) Computer Animation
Currently leading the BA Computer Animation Course and its staff team.

2009 – 2012 C.C.I. University of Glamorgan/South Wales
Acting Course Leader – BA (Hons) Games Art & Animation
Set-up and led the BA Games Art & Animation Course during the first three years of its inception.

2000 – 2007 G.C.A.D.T. Pontypridd College
Course Leader/ Lecturer – HND Computer Animation
2000 – Progressed to Computer Animation Lecturer after course of self-initiated training.
2003-7 Led the HND Computer Animation Course and its staff team.

1998 – 1999 S.O.D.A.T. University of Glamorgan
Part-Time Lecturer (Taught part-time on Bsc(Hons) Interior Design & BA Product Design)

1996-2000 Part-Time Lecturer G.C.A.D.T. Pontypridd College
Principally involved with the HND/BA Animation Course as 3D Stop-motion Specialist Tutor
1998 – 1999 Taught part-time on BA Product Design and 3D Design Foundation Studies

The Welsh Animation Group, The Skillset Screen Academy Wales, The Skillset Media Academy Wales.

May 2015 – Exhibitor and Speaker at the FMX Animation, VFX & Games Conference in Germany

June 2014 – Bafta Cymru Judge – Best Short

April 2014 – Exhibitor and Speaker at the FMX Animation, VFX & Games Conference in Germany

2014 – FCI Animation Representative and Visiting Lecturer on International Visits to Colombia & Sri Lanka

June 2013 – Bafta Cymru Judge – Best Children’s TV Programme

May 2013 – FCI Animation Representative and Visiting Lecturer on an International Visit to Sri Lanka

2012 – present: External Examiner for the MSc and BSc Computer Graphics Technology courses at Kingston University

2012 – present: External Examiner for the BA Animation and Stop-motion Puppet-Making courses at Staffordshire University

May 2012 – Exhibitor and Speaker at the FMX Animation, VFX & Games Conference in Germany

May 2011 – Exhibitor and Speaker at the FMX Animation, VFX & Games Conference in Germany

July 2010 – Guest Speaker at the Skillset Animation and VFX Showcase in London. Topic : Specialisation & Collaboration

2009 – Contributor to the Skillset/NESTA NextGen report

2009 – involved in meetings to discuss relationships between industry and education at the Skillset VFX Summit in London and the Game Horizon Computer Game Conference in Newcastle.

March 2009 – Delivered an “Acting in Animation” Masterclass as part of a two-week International Animation Project in Norway.

May 2008 – Speaker at the Games Grad / Games EDU Conference in Manchester. Topic : “The Skillset Effect and What its worth.”

Skillset Accreditations

Played a major role in the acquisition of both Skillset Accreditations that the course now benefits from. Assisted in the Animation Accreditation 2004 and was Leader of the successful application for the 2006 Games Art Accreditation.

Was a key player in the evaluation sessions for both Skillset Accreditation applications and now also lead presentations during monitoring visits from the Skillset panel.

Succefully led the 2008 Animation and 2009 Games Art Skillset Re-Accreditation application processes.

Attendance at numerous Skillset Masterclasses for Animation and Computer Games developing both personal knowledge and expertise as well fostering relationships with members of Skillset and industry representatives.

Research & Scholarly Interests: Character Animation, Acting Techniques, 3D CG Digital Art, 3D CG VFX, Storyboarding, Character Design, Animated Film-making.

Current research activity: UK Animation Education: Why are the Europeans better than us?
Acquired an RIS Travel Grant to investigate and analyse the pedagogical teaching approaches applied to Computer Animation and 3D CG Art throughout Europe which has involved meetings and discussions with numerous industrial contacts both here and abroad as well as staff from other leading institutions in the UK and Europe. Plans to make findings of best practice and recommendations available to the CG Animation & Games Industry, publications and related Academic institutions. Intend to speak further at events and conferences to illustrate findings to interested audiences and use data collected to influence course development initiatives in future.

Software Experience
• Autodesk : Maya, 3DS Max, Softimage XSI, Mudbox, Motionbuilder, Backburner.
• Adobe : Photoshop, Premier, After Effects.
• Z-brush