Aspiring digital artists invited to Abertay event

An “intensive one-week creative event” for digital artists and other new media professionals is being held at the University of Abertay Dundee between 6 – 10 September.

The event is open to anyone not already established in the creative industries, with successful applicants set to spend the week receiving mentoring from experts from the likes of Abertay University, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Tay Screen and Realtime Worlds.

Teams will be organised and based for the duration of the event in the University’s Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education.

Applications for individuals or teams can be made until Monday 23 August.

Event organiser Iain Smith was keen to expand on the particulars of the event an its history.

“Last year’s Next Level Dundee was a huge success, giving hugely talented people looking for their break into the creative industries a chance to work alongside professionals, and have their work showcased to the public at the NEoN Digital Arts Festival,” he said.

“This year we’ve recruited more varied industry mentors, and are looking for a wider range of skills including art, film and animation. I’m expecting very exciting, very interesting work to be produced by all the successful teams.”

He added: “I set up Next Level Dundee to help give skilled, hard-working individuals the opportunity to create a portfolio piece, attract the attention of employers, and give people the chance to work in a challenging team environment.

“The idea of working in mixed teams is exactly what creative companies look for, and they’re the skills I’m currently developing on the Professional Masters in Computer Games Development at Abertay. Judging by last year’s work, I expect great things from all the teams.”

Next Level Dundee will also be including guest mentor lectures, the first of which has been announced as coming from animator Fraser MacLean, who has worked with studios like Warner Brothers and Disney. More guest mentor lectures are set to be announced soon.

More information can be found at www.nextleveldundee.com