New funding to create Creative Technology Lab and Virtual Production Studio

NorwichUniArts

A grant from the Office for Students (OfS) of over £1.5million will be used to support the University’s continuing development in creative computational technology, further building the community of graduates with advanced tech skills in the workforce and responding in an industry-relevant, agile way to the need to upskill and reskill mid-career learners, especially post-pandemic.

Alongside the portfolio of BSc degree courses in creative computational technology offered, online short courses in Creative Coding and User Experience Design run from January 2023.

Students on all courses have access to campus workshops and resources as well as the high-quality computing and software they need through the extended Virtual Desktop Interface Facility, wherever they are working from.

The funding will also support partnership and collaborative delivery between the Computational Arts and Technology Programme and the Film and Performing Arts Programme.

Professor Larra Anderson, Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic of Norwich University of the Arts, said:  “Not only does the development of creative computational courses support the upskilling of the regional, national and international workforce but also these initiatives will support the University’s progress towards net zero, modelling greener ways of working to students and graduates. This funding ensures that we have the infrastructure, facilities and resources to help shape the creative sector and industries in Norwich and the wider region.”

NorwichUniArts

Over the next three years the university will

Expand Virtual Desktop (VCI) Facility

This builds on the investment from our 2021 OfS capital bid, enabling students to engage with the high-quality learning resources they need, wherever they are and regardless of age or spec of their personal computer

Create a new creative technology lab

This will include equipment to support teaching in physical computing, coding, AI, XR, creative audio visual, 3D scanning, soft robotics and digital prototyping

Create a virtual production studio

This will include a 180° LED screen projection facility so that moving assets made in a games engine can be captured in camera as a backdrop to live action.