Creative Computing students to enhance virtual reality skills
News
Bath Spa students to make virtual dreams a reality with Bristol VR Lab partnership
Monday, 22 January, 2018Bath Spa University has partnered with the new Bristol VR Lab to give Creative Computing students the opportunity to enhance their skills in ambient and factual storytelling, theatre, and games.
Founded by the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England, Watershed and Opposable VR, the Bristol VR Lab has partnered with Bath Spa University, the BBC and We The Curious.
Bath Spa University students will be among the first to use the new VR Lab which opens in early 2018. The Lab has been specially designed for research, development, product design, teaching and incubation within virtual and augmented reality.
Students will use the Lab to create and trial new ideas, enabling them to recognise the best uses for today’s emerging technology, such as serious or applied games which are designed for practical use in a range of sectors including healthcare and engineering. Technology at the Lab will soon include state-of-the-art headsets, controllers, green screen motion capture, and a range of 360° filming devices.
Lee Scott, Subject Leader in Creative Computing at Bath Spa University said: “We’re delighted to announce this new partnership with the Bristol VR Lab. There’s something for everyone at the Lab – a place that will enable the worlds of computing, storytelling and gaming to collide. The Lab supports the Creative Computing course’s aim to connect students to innovation in the region and complements existing industry-focused initiatives we have in place such as a creative ‘incubator’.
“Through the partnership, students will have a place to network, collaborate, solve problems and experiment with the application of immersive technologies in new contexts. Whether it’s augmented or virtual reality, students will have a hub to go to and develop ideas from start to finish.”
Many students will have the opportunity to develop innovative ideas. For example, MA Children’s Publishing students from Bath Spa University can use the Lab to identify original ways of using virtual and augmented reality to engage young children, and help them bring their own stories life.
Lee added: “Using the Lab facilities, Children’s Publishing students will be able to enrich children’s experiences of imaginative storytelling. This really will be storytelling for the 21st century and we’re proud to say that Bath Spa students will be at the heart of it.”
Creative Computing and Gaming student Bogdan Golea had a first-look inside the facilities when he volunteered to be a part of a preview event at the end of 2017.
Sharing his thoughts on the new site, Bogdan said: “It was great to be part of such an exciting event ahead of the official launch. Seeing the founders, partners and other companies coming together to discuss how they might use the VR Lab made me feel excited. I’m looking forward to using the Lab to create potentially life-changing products and experiences for others.”
Dr Susan McMillan, Head of Writing, Film and Digital added: "The VR Lab was one of the first partnerships I negotiated when I joined Bath Spa University in 2017 because I understand how important it is for creative industry students to work collaboratively across both Bath and Bristol to share knowledge and experience.
“Our media and computing students already work out of our Paintworks site in Bristol and now the VR Lab gives them access to a creative hub right at the heart of a city that was recently named as a UNESCO Creative City of Film.”
The BSc (Hons) Creative Computing course enables students to build a firm understanding of coding, interactive design and digital creativity, while developing skills in game making. The gaming pathway celebrates the vibrancy of the Bath and Bristol games scene. Students can learn from creative technologists and regional industry specialists, and contribute to exciting projects with independent games studios and freelance developers.
For more information please visit the course page or the Bristol VR Lab website.