Page 5 of The Examiner

I hope you enjoyed your first day of MMAM(FTP) as much as I did. What a pleasure it was getting to know you all outside of the interview process. Thank you to Hannah for organising our welcome buffet lunch.

It’s going to be a year of as much fun as hard work and, at the end of it, you’ll have a real-world project to look back on and feel proud of. As I explained in our introductory class, this is a valuable opportunity to explore the ups and downs of a creative career, with the support and guidance of staff and peers.

I was delighted to hear you’ve all read your welcome pack and registered on Royal Hastings’ Doodle Board. Keep an eye on our section, as I’ll post or email anything you need to know there. You can socialise on other media, public and private, of course, but as this is a collaborative degree, we ask that you discuss college matters and coursework on Doodle only. This protects everyone, in the unlikely event of a dispute.

Regarding the request to issue keys to the multimedia studio. It seems one or two of you feel passionate about access to the room at times that suit the way you work. I’ve spoken to the department and it’s a no, I’m afraid. The safety of all students and the security of the site are paramount. Also, the department feels that adapting your natural creative process to the demands of a more regular work environment is a positive exercise within the remit of this course.

Now to your first assignment! This is a broad, liberal task to establish the coursework segment of your final grade. In short:

Assignment One

Devise the logo for a fictional start-up company. This should take the form of a 2D illustration or a 3D model, plus one short multimedia (film/sound/animation/graphics) promotional presentation suitable for playing on a screen in a company’s foyer. Deadline: 19 October 2023.

The studio and its equipment are at your disposal, likewise the technicians, who can help and advise you. I’ll be available myself for the rest of this week as we are on-boarding the BA group next door. If you have any questions, just ask.

Best wishes,

Gela

Doodle message group [Private] Patrick and Gela, 26 September 2023:

Patrick Bright

I don’t have to do the multimedia presentation, do I?

Gela Nathaniel

You do. It’s 50% of the assignment.

Patrick Bright

But we said I’d concentrate on sketching and watercolour.

Gela Nathaniel

The MA is in Multimedia Art. That means digital and animation. You’ve got the software.

Patrick Bright

My laptop says ‘Not enough space to open FlowHand 11’. I don’t have any other programmes on it. Not even Internet Explorer. I thought we said I could stick with traditional art?

Gela Nathaniel

Sorry. I can’t seem to favour one student over the others. Please try to come up with something. Your shop assistants seem to be tech-savvy. Could they help?

Patrick Bright

I’ll ask Joy. She usually sorts out my phone.

Gela Nathaniel

Phones – argh! Thank you, Patrick, you’ve just reminded me.

Doodle message group MMAM(FTP), 26 September 2023:

Gela Nathaniel

Typical! I forgot something crucial, and the technicians will take a dim view if I don’t make you aware. Today was an exception, but from now on, no mobile phones are allowed in the studio. The reason is twofold. First, the room poses all sorts of dangers to expensive electronic devices – paint, varnish, glue, chemicals, and so on. Second, thanks to the volatile materials all around, the art studio is particularly vulnerable to fire. Mobile phones are considered an elevated risk to life and property and must be left in the metal tray by the door. The building is secure and the door is covered by CCTV. You may visit your phone in the tray as often as you like, within reason, during the day. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.