access magazine | Winter 21/22

Winter 2022 | Issue 19

Robert Lomas: Independent design for the time A day in the life: Dani Molyneux

Art & Image: Anna Neubauer

ACC Plymouth

ISSUE 19 WINTER 21/22

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the first access magazine of 2022. We hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year!

In 2021, our industry slowly started to return with the first festival season since 2019, a wave of gigs, new film releases and some huge games with more on the way this year. Good times are coming again!

This issue is all about gearing you up for what’s to come. Our cover feature is Rob Lomas, a Manchester based animator, designer and all round nice guy and we’ve got a day in the life diary from the incredible designer and entrepreneur Dani Molyneux who runs her own design studio.

We’ve also got a wealth of exciting new ACC news including a look at our careers and apprenticeship services, a close-up of our newest campus, ACC Plymouth and an introduction to our first eSports team, Clean Up Crew.

Alongside that, we check in with our friends over at dBs as they announce that they’re coming to Manchester next year, look back at our Bristol centre launch back in September and much, much more.

So jump in, enjoy and remember, this is your magazine. If you’ve got anything you want to feature or shout about, get in touch via marketing@accesscreative.ac.uk!

See you in the Spring!

Matt Thompson, Editor

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access issue 19 | Winter 2021/22

22. A Day in the Life: Dani Molyneux

Whether she’s running her own design studio, championing new talent or running exhibitions, speaking and teaching, Dani Molyneux designs differently. Find out how she makes the most of her day.

36. Meet the Student: Oscar Mason

Part student/ part entrepreneur. Meet Oscar Mason, providing expert live sound to the masses.

38. Welcome to Bristol

ACC is proud to present our brand-new Bristol campus, launched in September 2021. Here’s your exclusive look at our official launch event as we opened the doors of the revamped space for the first time.

4. Robert Lomas: Independent Design for the Time

40. Point Blank Radio

Rob lays bare the working life of a designer, shares his inspirations and gives us an inside track on what it takes to build a creative career.

If you make electronic music, boy, do we have an opportunity for you. Find out more on page 40!

28. ACC Apprenticeships 42. ACC Plymouth Change the game and ‘earn while you learn’ with an ACC Apprenticeship.

30. Computing: Checking in with ACC’s newest school 10. Art & Image: Anna Neubauer

We check in with our brand new School of Computing to find out how the first term has been!

16. ACC Careers: The Next Stage in your Career

20. New Century Hall: Brand New Horizons for Creative Degrees dBs is coming to Manchester. Join us as we celebrate this incredible news and give you a sneak peek into the future of creative HE. Contents

46. ACC Recommends: Graphic Design Gear

Dani Molyneux offers up a list of the key tools she uses every day to make her designs stand out from the crowd.

We sat down with Adobe’s Rising Star of 2021 to find out how she approaches her work and how it feels to be an award-winning photographer.

We go the extra mile for you and your career with ACC Live, our bespoke careers programme. Learn more about this unique opportunity right here.

We’re so excited to bring you the first look at the newest addition to the ACC family, ACC Plymouth. Take a deep dive with us into this amazing space and find out how you could go from school to your career under one roof.

48. Access to HE: Accessing degrees to open up your future 32. Meet the Tutor: Chris Middleton-Bolch

Ready for a change? Find out what it’s like to take one of our Access to HE courses, and why it might be the perfect time to try something different for your career.

34. Clean Up Crew

50. Industry News

Meet Chris Middleton-Bolch, a Pathway Manager and tutor who brings his firsthand experience of the games industry to our Games courses in Norwich.

Introducing our first ever eSports team.

Find out how they got on at the recent BEA Valorant tournament!

What’s been happening across the creative industries? We’ve got a summary to get you up to speed.

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ROBERT LOMAS:

THE TRUE COLOURS OF MODERN DESIGN Words by Robert Lomas & Matt Thompson. All images and designs by Robert Lomas

This term, ‘design’. It means a lot of things. Depending on what field you work in, you could be creating web pages, immersive gaming experiences, user interfaces to help people interact with online shops, sites or apps easily, branding and product designs; or even designing interiors for people to live or work in and love.

Design affects everything around us, altering how we see the world around us from massive spaces to the little things we eat, drink, use and buy. The

scale of this skillset and the impact it has on our lives is monumental.

That brings us to Rob Lomas, an independent or freelance designer.

Raised in Blackpool but now based in Manchester, he does everything from animation and motion graphics to social content creation, to branding, illustration, typography and even character design across print and digital.

For Rob, his path into designing is a self-described ‘lifelong obsession’ that started when he was around four years old, drawing his nan and her friends on betting slips at Blackpool bingo halls and passing out the slips. His work these days, he says ‘uses bold typography and bright colour palettes and is positive and playful.’

Robert Lomas: Independent Design for the Time

Rob’s not wrong about his work being bright and bold. Looking at his work, it immediately catches the eye and it’s easy to see why he has worked on so many huge projects for clients such as Arts Council England, the NHS and Mixmag. His work feels energetic and modern, built to stand out in a city the size of Manchester.

You could argue that his work being so bright and colourful stands in a confusing contrast against the stereotypically un-colourful bingo halls of England, until you see his list of inspirations - a long list of artists and creatives known for colour and individuality including Keith Haring, Prince, Morag Myerscough, Henri Matisse and even House music, rave culture and The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine.

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‘The thing that puts these people or items on my list of inspiration is the way that colour, typography, words or sounds have been used to tell a story and bring people together’ said Lomas. And certainly, you can feel the foundations laid by their work throughout Rob’s designs today.

Living in the modern world, industry trends come thick and fast, especially in an area as creative as design. Have current industry trends changed how Rob works? ‘Being honest, I try not to get too caught in trends, although I am aware of them through looking at social media and design blogs.

I try to focus on creating work relevant to the brief and then if I can also explore themes that interest me during the process then that’s great too.’

Despite largely not getting caught up in the newest trends, we asked him if he’s seen anything that stood out in particular to him - ‘I suppose kinetic (moving) type is a current design trend and the popularity of that has fed into me

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exploring type and motion more in my work, especially as more clients are asking for kinetic type animations.’

Naturally, as a freelance designer, you have to have work coming in on a rolling basis and that means being able to adapt quickly to a range of different types of project. How does Rob approach a new project? He says ‘pretty much every new project starts with a conversation and me scribbling down lots of (sometimes unreadable) words in my notebook.’

‘I then provide an outline of the project via email, breaking down work involved, timeframes and costs which is absolutely essential at this stage so that everyone is singing from the same song sheet. Once it has all been agreed, I then look over the notes and make an action plan.’

Organisation and openness with clients is the key to any working relationship, especially on a new project.

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“Challenges are natural byproducts and not always a bad thing, providing a great opportunity to grow and develop.”

Robert Lomas: Independent Design for the Time

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“I love that magic moment when an idea happens and everything you’ve been working on starts to fall into place and make sense.”

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Once the scope and needs of the project have been defined, it’s time to get creative. We asked Rob how he gets his creative juices flowing.

‘I like to try and break a project down at this stage and really get to grips with what’s needed and try to think of potential ways to create it visually.

After that, I usually do some research using Pinterest and Vimeo before I get stuck in.’

With any project and any role can come challenges. Challenges are natural byproducts and not always a bad thing, providing a great opportunity to grow and develop. Rob has a refreshingly honest answer when we ask him about the challenges he faces at work and how he overcomes them, saying ‘Working as an independent designer can feel lonely at times and when you haven’t got any work on or the bank account is a little low on cash it can be easy to slip into negative thought patterns where you start to lose confidence in yourself and your work.

Scheduling in some time to contact new clients and also having a catch up with existing ones is a great way

to reconnect with people and can lead to new work.’

Of course, it’s not always about a lull in the amount of work coming in. Sometimes it’s a case of having too much to do, something Rob is also very familiar with - ‘it can reach a point where you feel completely overwhelmed when you have too many projects going at once. Writing lists and scheduling in time to get off the computer and go for walks is essential to keep my head working properly.’

‘I also find that meditation is a great way to stop my head from overthinking, making me calmer and more content

overall. I also try to meet up with friends for a brew and a chat to keep me positive!’

Speaking of being positive, we asked him his favourite part of doing what he does. ‘There’s lots that I really enjoy about my job - the freedom and flexibility, meeting like minded people, the fact that every project is a chance to learn something new. I also love that magic moment when an idea happens and everything you’ve been working on starts to fall into place and make sense.

My favourite part is seeing people’s positive reactions to my work, and of course, being able to listen to music all day is great too!’

Off the back of some great advice about structuring workload and taking some time out, we asked what his average day looks like. Waking at 7 AM, Rob tells us he meditates and then takes his son Jack to school, starting work at 9 AM by catching up on emails with a brew. He then writes a task list for the day and works from that list until 6 PM, with a break for lunch at midday and a brew (typical northerner) at 2:30.

On the subject of what he works on, he offers ‘my work can be pretty varied and I can find myself working on an explainer animation one day and then amending a menu design the next.’

Next, we look to the future and what that could look like for animation and design in general. ‘As the shift from print to digital media continues, more and more people are going to want animation work to tell stories and bring things to life, which is great. I also see more new apps including artificial intelligence that will open up new ways to make things move. Designers will have more options than ever, but they will need to be adaptable to keep on top of it.’

Robert Lomas: Independent Design for the Time

Technological advances bring new challenges and new opportunities.

Some things get easier as workflow becomes faster and more efficient, and designs can get more ambitious and complex but at the same time there is a rush of competition as professionals push to stay at the front of the wave.

Rob offered some words of advice for the next generation of animators and design professionals, saying ‘be a good human. Be adaptable, ignore the competition, stop trying to be the best at everything. Find something that you really enjoy doing and are good at and stick to that.’

Great advice from a man who from a young age was already forming the foundations of his future career. His scope may have developed as he learned, but he’s also stayed true to his roots and used his experiences to inform what he does, utilising his inspirations throughout his work to create a truly recognisable and vibrant style. And surely that’s what design is really about, something that stands out and brings something to our environment in a unique way.

Rob brings our conversation to an end by saying ‘If you think about it, what I do now is still exactly the same as when I was 4 years old even though the process and end product may have changed - creating something visual for somebody else to enjoy.’

Designing, whether illustration, animation, branding, product or UI is exactly that. Something visual, created for somebody else to enjoy, and who wouldn’t want to be a master at that.

If you’d like to know more about Rob, find him online here: Website: robertlomas.co.uk Twitter: @robertlomas82 Instagram: @robertlomas 9

ART & IMAGE:

ANNA NEUBAUER Words by Anna Neubaeur & Seanen Middleton. All photography by Anna Neubaeur.

Austrian photographer Anna Neubauer has many achievements under her belt. From working with huge names such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Adobe, Harper’s Bazaar, Kid’s Wear Magazine and 500px/Getty Images she has also been named as one of Adobe’s rising stars 2021.

A quick look through Anna’s body of work and her success will not come as a surprise. Focusing on children’s portraits, fine art and showcasing the beauty of diversity with an array of models from all walks of life, her work radiates a dreamlike nostalgia.

Her subjects are the main characters in a world with no boundaries and judgement. We caught up with Anna to find out more about her work.

How did you first get into photography?

I’ve always had a creative drive and loved all kinds of arts and crafts. When I got my first DSLR in 2010, I was blown away by the things you can do with it. I decided to teach myself the basics and started taking self-portraits in 2012.

Initially, I found it easier to be my own model and try whatever I wanted - to tell the story I felt like sharing.

Taking self-portraits and then playing around in Lightroom and Photoshop really opened up a new world of

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creativity for me. I absolutely loved the whole process, it was like my safe space, just myself, music and my ideas.

I didn’t really take these photos with any intentions, but as my confidence grew, I started sharing them on Flickr and Facebook. Through the online community, I met people from all over the world and we often met up to hang out, shoot and learn from each other.

Those friendships, the little trips and sharing my love for photography with so many amazing and talented people always felt so special to me, and it still does.

How would you describe the visual style within your work? What themes/concepts inspire you?

To be honest, for a long time I really struggled to find my own style. Mostly because back then I kept comparing myself to other artists and their work which made me think my work needed to be defined by a specific style. I was often worried about sharing something that might not be good enough and it took me quite a while to get this concern out of my head.

Once I figured out what I want to achieve with my photographs, things got a lot easier for me. I stopped comparing myself to others and realised that what I enjoy most about photography is creating raw and honest images of people that inspire me, hoping to inspire others. I love listening to their stories, being trusted with their hopes and dreams, and being able to show their personalities through a single image.

This kind of trust really inspires me. I’d say my style is a bit hazy, sometimes dreamy and sometimes a bit surreal.

I usually have a blurry vision of an image I’d like to create and the vibe I’d like to go for, but as soon as I meet whoever I’m shooting with these visions either get more intense or completely turned around. I’m really driven by music, so the style of an image also depends on my mood and the kind of music I listen to while editing.

Talk us through one of your favourite shoots to date.

That’s a hard question because there are so many. I used to be much more of an extrovert than I am now, so meeting people for the first time and getting to know them so intimately in such a short time really makes me feel like I am way beyond my comfort zone. However, the shoot that pushed me out of my comfort zone most is also one of my favourite shoots to date.

In May 2019 I got commissioned to shoot for a German children’s wear magazine and from the moment I got that commission, I knew exactly who I wanted to work with. A few years ago I came across The Sanchez Six, a family that advocates for inclusion, celebrates being yourself and supports their daughter Sofias’s dream of being a model.

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Art & Image: Anna Neubauer

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“I realised that as a photographer, I’ve got the transformative power to show how beautiful differences are and contribute to a more open, diverse and inclusive society.”

Art & Image: Anna Neubauer

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I can be really stubborn, and even though I only had a few days to complete the project, I couldn’t get the thought of shooting with Sofia out of my head. I reached out to her parents and two days (and several little panic attacks) later I travelled from London to San Francisco. Planning and travelling were so chaotic. I remember thinking ‘who do you think you are?!’ but as soon as I met the family, I realised I had absolutely nothing to worry about. We immediately connected and not even the stormy weather could get in our way.

I think what I loved most about this shoot was the family’s kindness, Sofia’s beautiful little personality and how easy it felt to photograph her in the most natural and candid way. Sofia is my role model, my inspiration, and my muse.

There’s so much I keep learning from

her. The photographs and getting to know Sofia and her family mean the world to me.

What is it like being named one of Adobe’s Rising Stars ’21? What opportunities has this opened up for you?

I really don’t define myself or my work by awards or titles, but by the effect it has on people. However, I am genuinely honoured and thankful for all the support Adobe has given me in naming me a Rising Star and it still feels like a dream. It really took me by surprise, especially as they don’t have an application process for the award.

There’s so much talent out there and seeing my name next to such incredible artists gives me a sense of confidence and also makes me feel like I am on the right path with my work. Getting this award has opened up so many

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opportunities for me with new clients, projects and collaborations.

In addition, I got to connect with amazing people in the industry, made new friends, and was invited to talk at several events.

What advice would you give to young photographers who would like to follow a similar path to you?

I recently saw a post on Instagram that said ‘surround yourself with people who would mention your name in a room full of opportunities.’ One thing that’s always been important to me is my relationship with other artists. I got into photography because I truly enjoy creating, so being surrounded by people I get to share my love for photography with means a lot to me.

There’s so much you can learn from others, so my advice is to collaborate

with as many people as possible, support and help each other. There might be times where you think you’re in a dark little hole that makes you feel like you’re not moving, but it takes such a long time to build up a portfolio, find your style or build up a network. So another piece of advice is to be patient, believe in yourself, invest in the right things and trust the process.

What makes a beautiful photograph?

For me personally, there are lots of different things that make a beautiful photograph, but I think timing, colour and emotion are what get me most. I love storytelling images, images that make me pause and think, something that speaks to my imagination, or something that makes me feel like I am right in there. I am drawn to captivating photographs that give me the feeling I

personally know the subject and their story, but I also enjoy photographs that have beautiful and unique compositions or lighting.

What message do you want people to take from your work?

I would really like my photographs to have an impact on their viewers. A lot of my work is centered on people with visible differences because I think the less diversity people see in their everyday lives, the more disconcerting they might find it and that’s something I can change.

For me, diversity does not exist without inclusion. I realized that as a photographer, I’ve got the transformative power to show how beautiful differences are and contribute to a more open, diverse, and inclusive society. Society decided what normal

looks like or what people can and can’t do. With my work, I am moving away from traditional stereotypes by creating images that promote acceptance, kindness, and honesty. I am showing what being human actually looks like.

With my work, I can inspire others to join me, because sometimes all it takes is an inspiring story told through a powerful image.

To see more of Anna’s work check out her website at anna-neubauer. com and Instagram annaneubauer_ photography.

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“I love storytelling, images that make me pause and think.”

Art & Image: Anna Neubauer

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ACC CAREERS:

THE NEXT STAGE OF YOUR CAREER Words by Matt Thompson

Why do students go to college? You’d be mistaken for thinking that it’s all about the qualifications received after a period of hard work, proof of a strong knowledge, work ethic and ability within their subject that can be taken into their future.

And while the qualifications we offer to our students are, of course, vital and provide all of the above, there’s so much more to making a person hirable and numerous ways to reinforce the learned knowledge and skills. All schools and colleges have a dedicated careers service, to expand on what is taught in the classroom and ensure that students leave with as much information and guidance as possible to maximise the reach of their qualification.

At ACC though, we wanted to take careers one step further and use our deep knowledge of and connection with the industries we teach about to do more to bridge the gap between learning about and being part of the industry.

In the following pages, we’re taking a deep dive into our careers service and breaking down how they can help set you up for success starting with ACC Live.

ACC Live is a programme of events designed in line with the Gatsby

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Benchmarks, a series of government careers guidelines set out in 2013 to run alongside your studies to boost your knowledge and get you handson industry experience in the form of work placements, career fairs and face to face conversations with real-world industry employers. Basically, we give you multiple opportunities throughout the academic year to step outside of the classroom and to make industry connections, experience what your career will be like when you finish and we round it off with dedicated and personal careers advice to help bring everything together and get students on the road to long-term, viable careers that match their passions.

We as a creative college are a key part of the industries we teach students about, educating the industry professionals of the future. We recognise the responsibility we have to give our students the ‘whole package’ alongside their qualifications, and to provide industries we’re passionate about with the best future staff possible to ensure these industries continue to exist long-term.

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ACC LIVE BREAKDOWN: ACC Live is the result of our efforts to give you more opportunities when you finish up your studies. You can expect a whole host of unique experiences that connect you to the industry you want to be a part of. Here’s what will be on your agenda as part of ACC Live:

Industry Takeover

Field Trips

A chance to hear from some of the industry’s best and brightest professionals about what it’s like to work in the field you want to go into, plus time to ask questions and dig down into what you’d like to be doing.

Get outside of the classroom and visit a gallery, museum, gigs or even a real workplace. Another chance to immerse yourself in professional world experiences, learning from what’s been and growing your understanding of the standard required when you finish studying.

Next Steps Career Fair

Think of this like the Industry Takeovers but based entirely around your new career and what comes after study.

You’ll hear from employers, arts organisations, creatives, entrepreneurs and bodies such as the Local Enterprise Partnerships. Taking place in the form of talks, workshops and exhibitions, this is your chance to get focused on post-study options and to go hands-on in workshops and exhibitions.

ACC Awards and Showcases

ACC Live isn’t just about putting you on the best path to your career; we also want to celebrate you and your achievements. The ACC Awards and Showcases put your work out in public and give you the chance to nominate those coursemates who have done amazing things. You could even be nominated yourself. We then round things off with award ceremonies to ensure that everybody has a chance to revel in their success!

ACC Careers: The Next Stage of your Career

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CASE STUDIES: We checked in with a few of our alumni to see how their time at ACC and careers service have helped them in their professional lives.

Vanessa Sinclair

My name is Vanessa Sinclair, a Music Manager from Birmingham. As well as being a freelancer I also run two companies via my VNS brand. VNS Management is a music management company offering a range of services such as artist management, events management, promoting, scouting, artist development and booking agents. The second company is VNS Productions CIC - a community interest company focused on providing platforms and opportunities to empower, educate and develop people and their careers within the creative industry. We mainly do events and workshops.

I started my Music Business course at ACC Birmingham in 2014. I could honestly give you a whole list of all the modules that I completed on the course and how each of them prepared me, however I'm just going to concentrate on the two that I feel have really helped me.

Firstly, the music contract module - this module really prepared me for working in the industry. I can now look at a range of contacts that people

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would most likely come across working in the music industry and understand them, not only that I can now write my own contracts.

The other module was listening to music - as a person that is constantly scouting artists whether it be online or at live events, being able to really listen to music is important. Before the unit, I'd say ‘oh i'm going to listen to a specific track’ but I wasn't really listening, now I really listen to music. I hear the vocals, I hear the instruments and sounds within a track, I feel the music more because I'm listening so deeply. This is important for me as I scout for my own events.

One of our events is ‘Live Vibe’, which we have now developed into a festival. I also scout for other brands I work with, the main being ‘Iluvlive’, a brand that is known for discovering and providing a platform for artists to support career development.

I learned a lot of transferable skills while studying including maths and English which are so important within most careers. As an entrepreneur handling finances for my businesses and organising events, I am forever doing

budgets so calculating incoming and outgoing figures is key to ensure I get the numbers right.

English is vital for me as I am always writing contacts, emails, letters, press releases, biographies, electronic press kits, funding bids and social media posts.

I started my businesses while studying at ACC, but it has taken me years to get to this point. I have some big plans for the growth of my brand which will continue to create opportunities for people within the music industry.

I've always been a person that loves helping people so I have to say the best thing about my career is being able to provide opportunities for emerging artists. There are so many amazing artists in the world so being a person that discovers talent and is able to support them in different ways is so rewarding. The advice I’d give to anyone aspiring to work in the creative industries would be to work hard and be passionate about what you're doing, have patience and determination and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

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Peter and Phillip Sawyers

We have a brand and fitness business called ‘Twinsane Fitness’. We deliver fitness classes such as boot camps, circuit training and group boxing which mainly involve full body cardiovascular type exercises. We also offer 1-2-1 personal training, nutritional guidance and online virtual classes. We studied Music Production in 2008/09 at Access Creative College Birmingham.

Studying at ACC taught us time management skills, adhering to deadlines, learning how to work in groups and collaborating to get tasks done, as well as delegating roles based on strength within the group.

We also learned a lot of editing and programming skills using software such as Reason and Logic. Both have a similar editing structure to the software

Lee Fisher, ACC Head of Careers

Lastly, we asked why our Head of Careers wanted to be involved in ACC Live.

“I had the pleasure of working with a talented and knowledge hungry group of students in the last year I taught for ACC back in 2012. This group of students all had really interesting and diverse musical projects happening and wanted to understand more about income streams. We put time aside away from unit work to explore music publishing, mechanical copyright and synchronization.

Mechanical copyright is a complex subject, but we chipped away and I could see through some in class assessment that the penny was beginning to drop. The more that this group of students understood, the more they would present interesting lines of inquiry and ask me questions that took me out of my comfort zone.

This required me to read, research and contact associate industry colleagues.

One such associate industry colleague I contacted was working at Universal and suggested that I bring the students

we use today when editing videos and photos used to market our services.

Since leaving Access Creative College, we’ve worked in various jobs and done freelance work. We had roles in Penny Woodcock’s 2009 film 1 Day before moving on to study Sound Engineering at university. Fitness has always been a key interest and we set up ‘Twinsane Fitness’ in 2015, so it’s taken us eleven years to get to this point.

The best thing about our career now is making positive, healthy changes to people’s lives and being appreciated and recognised for it. The best advice we can give is to research the type of career you want to go into, network with people in that field and keep practicing and developing the skills required to be at the top level within that career field.

to London to see how all of the different departments worked together on various projects.

I talked to the students about the opportunity and they got really excited, which sparked a conversation about the geography and culture of the UK music industry in London. We discussed the various publishers in Charing Cross Road and why Denmark Street known as ‘Tin Pan Alley’ with an array of musical instrument shops was located so close by. This was because most songwriters historically would head to Denmark Street after getting their first publishing cheque advance!

by their experience, which was something that we could not provide for them in a classroom setting.

Students need meaningful engagement with employers and workplaces to understand what a particular industry looks like and visualise what steps they need to take to get there. We can’t promise any student a job, the world just doesn’t work like that, but we can provide meaningful workplace experiences outside of the classroom.

A positive workplace experience is an important step that will help students take responsibility for planning their own career journeys.”

The day came for the planned trip to London. We headed over to Denmark Street to check out the musical instrument shops and then walked down Charing Cross Road identifying the various publishing houses. Next up, Holland Park to visit Universal where we received a tour of their recording facilities, PR and marketing department, sync department, A&R department and met with the managing director on the top floor who talked about his own career journey and explained how Universal operated.

The students were massively inspired

ACC Careers: The Next Stage of your Career

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NEW CENTURY HALL:

BRAND NEW HORIZONS FOR CREATIVE DEGREES Words by Matt Thompson. Photography by Seanen Middleton & sketch by Sheila Bird Studio.

dBs: Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies is coming to Manchester!

Their new home situated in the middle of the city’s most up and coming district, “NOMA”, will be part of the relaunch of the iconic New Century Hall. Alongside the new centre, New Century will also host a food hall and a 1000 capacity venue that is steeped in a long and diverse musical history.

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As far back as the 1960s, New Century Hall was a thriving hotbed of music and youth culture playing host to Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks, The Hollies, Herman’s Hermits and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Jumping forward into the ‘80s, NCH was a key part of the MADchester era, bringing a new wave of talent to UK music that included 808 State and A Guy Called Gerald who channeled the spirit of Chicago House music into Manchester’s emerging underground scene.

Now, the building has undergone a modern refresh to welcome dBs’s first Manchester HE students and we can’t wait to fill the space with the next generation of musicians with a nod to a building that boosted the careers of

some of the most important names in music history.

To ensure the next generation that we’re helping shape is ready and able to join the professional world, we’re kitting the space out with state of the art equipment including nine ​​ recording and production studios containing SSL, Neve, Trident and Avid S desks.

We’ve also got professional outboards and a large variety of modular synths and mics, dedicated Music Production and Games Production Mac & PC IT Suites packed with the latest software & tools. Alongside that, you’ll find a surround sound lecture theatre and ‘Pro-Suite’ and a specialist VR suite.

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Finally, we’re updating the venue with a state of the art L-Acoustics/LISA sound system plus highend, contemporary lighting for all event types To find out more about New Century, NOMA and what we can expect from the site when it launches in September 2022, we spoke to Lisa from One Plus Four, the company behind the regeneration project.

Hi Lisa, tell us about your role at NCH! I am the Business Manager at One Plus Four, the company behind the New Century project. My role involves helping the team plan, strategise, monitor, control and execute the project and supporting the team with all aspects of the fit out to get the building ready for launch. We are currently building the infrastructure required for the different aspects of NCH to operate when the project is ready for launch.

This involves starting from scratch with absolutely everything!

New Century Hall has an incredibly rich creative history. Can you share it’s background with us?

New Century Hall was built in 1963 by the Co-Operative as their conference centre, and in 1995 received Grade II listing. The venue is iconic and is steeped in history! The hall is renowned for a legendary sprung dance floor and for the known artists & bands

who performed there including Jimmy Hendrix, Status Quo, The Beegees, Jerry Lee Lewis, Joe Cocker & The Grease Band.

Not only did it host the best artists & bands, it was also a very community focused space, holding many exhibitions, conferences, dinners & even weddings.

What does NOMA mean and why is it such a great area to be creating this space?

NOMA (NOrth MAnchester) has a neighbourhood-led ethos, championing the idea that places are better when people can get involved in them. This is a perfect match for the values we hold at One Plus Four, that people are at the heart of our business. With New Century being situated in the new neighbourhood that NOMA is creating, along with very strong transport links, the location couldn’t be any more ideal.

What can students expect from the refreshed New Century Hall when it launches?

Firstly, a new name: New Century!

The building is no longer just a Hall, it’s also a kitchen and a college.

The whole building will be a hive of constant activity with food, drink and entertainment. The hall will provide a platform like no other, allowing students to gain real life experience in the industry. Not only learning all aspects of the creative industry, but also allowing

New Century Hall: Brand New Horizons for Creative Degrees

us to champion the talent the college is nurturing in the basement, giving them a platform to showcase their talent.

Nothing like this currently exists in the city, so we are very excited to bring the building back to life, allowing students to gain real life experience, as well as creating networking opportunities for young people.

Lastly, why did you choose Manchester for this project?

We didn’t choose Manchester, Manchester chose us! This project is all about the building and what it has to offer. It works because it oozes Manchester spirit.

When you visit you’ll see why we fell in love with it immediately. You won’t have seen anything like it before and we’re utterly delighted to be able to open the building to a new audience.

We can’t wait to welcome students into the space so they can grow with us, and study under a brand that is already experienced and well recognised in the current dBs centres in Bristol and Plymouth.

New Century isn’t quite ready to launch yet, but both ACC and dBs are so excited to bring you this new space and we’ll have a lot more to come in the near future, as we move towards the grand opening. Watch this space!

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A DAY IN THE LIFE: DANI MOLYNEUX Words by Dani Molyneux. All images by Dani @ Dotto Studio.

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A Day in the Life: Dani Molyneux

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This issue’s A Day in the Life comes from Dani Molyneux, an incredible Manchester based artist and designer who creates thoughtprovoking works for clients in arts and culture, with a mantra of bringing change through words.

an early riser so I may have even got a quick gym session in first. As it’s currently December and it’s dark and freezing, I’ve knocked this virtuous habit on the head in favour of a quick home yoga session at a more sociable hour. I’ve found I get better work done if I make some time to get fresh air or exercise or any of that other good stuff we keep reading motivational quotes about.

She’s worked with everyone from corporations to small independent companies, as well as art-directing international fashion shoots and creating award-winning campaigns.

Dotto, her creative practice, launched in 2017 with a focus on working with good, like-minded people.

Finally, she has recently launched The How with Penny Lee and Tali Cahani, designed as a response to the pandemic offering support and masterclasses to creatives. Find out how Dani navigates her busy schedule and manages all these amazing things each day.

I usually start my day a little chaotically getting my daughter off to school (pandemic dependent) with no drama, and if you catch me in summer, I’m

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different things for different people, but for me, getting some space where I can close the door and have some peace is a massive mega treat and I flippin’ love it.

Can’t start without coffee so I usually nip across the street to Takk and grab one to take to the studio. I whack the heater on (it’s December) light a candle (bit of ambience) and stick on the tunes (often – but not always – an unashamedly melancholic 90s fest.

Unless I’m having an admin day (the perils of working for yourself) I switch off notifications and shut down emails, socials etc until lunchtime otherwise I find myself thoroughly distracted.

Work has been a rollercoaster this past couple of years, ranging from a total disastrous lack of it (mainly throughout the lockdowns) and a giddy constant stream of it (like the second half of this year). I’m readjusting to this new timetable like everyone.

Anyways, that stuff sorted, I leg it into my Manchester studio. While I work from home sometimes, I’ve had a studio space in the city for the past few years, which I’ve shared with a bunch of creative folk. Last month however, I moved down the corridor to my own space. The pandemic has meant

Studio work is a fairly even split between client work (branding, editorial, graphic design stuff) and more expressive type work through the print shop and any collaborations. Whilst Dotto is just me for now, I work with a bunch of other people on a regular basis. So most days I’ll have a catch up with someone.

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A Day in the Life: Dani Molyneux

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And after the recent online fest, I’ve been making an effort to get out and about and see their little lovely faces IRL. Any project of mine starts in my sketchbook with a chunky pencil. I spend the majority of my day sitting in front of a screen, but my brain only works properly if I’ve sketched, doodled or noted something down in pencil first.

Today however, I’m finishing off some branding work for a very lovely client. It’s been another collaboration with awesome brand strategist Penny Lee. The hard work is done, and I’m finishing off some of the brand rollout (so think keynote templates, bizzy cards and social media bits and bobs). I love doing the concept work for branding but it’s always a bit exhausting on the brain. So, unless the deadline is crazy, the roll out is the nice relaxing bit at the end.

On the ‘type art’ side of things, I’m currently working with Harvey Lloyd Screens to produce my latest screenprint, Er Ok No, so when lunchtime hits, I check my email and am rewarded with a fab bunch of process pics and videos to keep me in the loop on the production. It’s neon giddiness in print form so I’m very excited about this.

A Day in the Life: Dani Molyneux

I’m also launching another print today with Room Fifty and have got a letterpress session with the mighty EE Chrisp Letterpress booked for tomorrow so it’s turning into a print heavy week!

My favourite.

I don’t always work super long days, but Monday is usually an exception. I’m not on school pick up duty so I like to take the opportunity to get loads done. After lunch I check my hit-list and spend the afternoon getting through admin chores and scheduling out the rest of the week.

Most nights I’ll get back for dinner with the family.

But, after being a social hermit for so long, I’ve finally re-entered polite society. So after work, I might check out an exhibition, head to the cinema or theatre for a culture boost. Either that or check back into my latest Netflix addiction of subtitled goodies (entertainment whilst learning a language, win-win). After season 5 of Money Heist, I’ll be writing my next article in Spanish no doubt. (Si claro).

To see more head to Dani’s Instagram @dotto_studio / website dotto.studio

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ACC APPRENTICESHIPS Words by Matt Thompson.

Options are a great thing in life, and sometimes choosing the right one can open up a world of possibility. Education is no exception with many options of course, qualification and even types of study.

While all of our courses offer work experience and industry access in some way, apprenticeships are an option that change the formula a little, allowing you to study around working.

With an apprenticeship, you will work within a company or area that you want to be in, being paid to work and study, finishing your course with an established reputation and on-the-job experience.

We spoke to both an apprentice and an employer about why an apprenticeship could be a great idea for you!

First up, meet Barinur Rashid, a manager of science programmes and projects for secondary schools and college pupils, and a board member for Our Shared Cultural Heritage Programme, he has a wealth of experience to pass onto apprentices. Find out why he thinks the apprenticeship scheme is so important.

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Hi Barinur, tell us about yourself!

I manage the science programmes at the Manchester Museum, including projects for secondary schools and college pupils. One of my remits is to target disadvantaged schools and widen the participation of disadvantaged children into higher education/university with the aim of increasing social mobility in strong partnership with the widening participation team. I am the board member for the ‘Our Shared Cultural Heritage’ programme (OSCH) which is a joint project with the British Council and Manchester Museum, to encourage the participation rate of young people from a South Asian heritage background in cultural and heritage spaces. As part of this project I led on the accelerator fund enabling young people to celebrate south Asian heritage month. Currently I am managing two apprentices that we recently recruited.

What do you think apprentices get from working with you and as an apprentice in general?

Apprentices gain a rich and meaningful experience working with our unique collections, curators, museum staff and range of national and international partners. They are provided with on the job training and hopefully after they complete their apprenticeship they will gain a recognised, accredited Level 3 qualification.

Why have you chosen to take on apprentices and what does it bring to your business?

We have chosen to take on apprentices in order to provide opportunities for young people in the cultural and heritage sector. Currently the participation rates of young people in the cultural and heritage sector is very low; there are very little employment opportunities and it’s a sector that young people in general would not think of as a career. The apprenticeship scheme helps provide opportunities for people, diversifies our work force and brings in young talent to contribute to our organisation. We are constantly learning from our apprentices.

Lastly, what do you think apprenticeship schemes bring to the wider industry and how do you think that will look in the future?

The apprentice scheme can be used to create opportunities for different cohorts of people and diversify an organisation’s workforce. It’s an excellent way for people to gain on the job work experience and training whilst at the same time gaining a qualification. I am hoping with more support from the government (such as the apprentice incentive) people can see the opportunities of an apprentice as an alternative career pathway.

What kind of things could an apprentice expect to be working on with you?

At the museum the apprentices will be working on a wide variety of projects ranging from working with our collections, hosting events or helping to co-curate small projects and exhibitions. We also work closely with the local community organising events and exhibitions

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Why did you choose to take an apprenticeship and how did you find the process of applying?

I chose to go for an apprenticeship because I am a practical learner and I wanted to get stuck straight into the workplace and an industry that I really thought I would enjoy. This role combines personal skills that make me a committed worker with responsibilities that I care about and that make me want to be successful.

Next we spoke to Emma Wagstaff, an apprentice for Southend Theatres to find out what it’s like and why she chose an apprenticeship.

Hi Emma, tell us about yourself!

Hello! I’m Emma, I’m an 18-year-old from Chelmsford in Essex and I am currently working as an apprentice at Southend Theatres. I am studying to become a Cultural Learning Participation Officer within the Community and Education team at Southend Theatres.

My role consists of a mix of working hands on in our baby, toddler, youth, and adult theatre groups, studying for my course, and administering and marketing different community and education events and opportunities.

Within community and education, our main goal is to get anyone and everyone involved in theatre!

ACC Apprenticeships

Applying for this apprenticeship was super simple and efficient. All I needed to do was complete an application form with a cover letter about myself and the role, and then I was lucky enough to be contacted for an interview.

What do you think you’ve got from being an apprentice that is unique to the apprenticeship experience?

The fact that I am doing a job that I care about and enjoy, at the same time as studying a relevant course to get me a qualification and getting paid for it, is ideal for me and something you can’t get from other career paths!

What are your goals and hopes for after your apprenticeship?

I have passion for theatre and the arts, and I want to play a part in making them better for the community. Arts can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter who you are, where you’re from or what kind of artform. I couldn’t tell you where exactly I want to be in five years or what job I want to be in, but I know that this course and this role has allowed me to see that this is the industry for me.

What does your average working day look like?

An average day? No day is ever the same in theatre! One morning I could be in a pantomime task force meeting with the marketing team, then two hours later I could be acting out The Gingerbread Man with toddlers. The variety of activities each day is so exciting and a key part of what I love about being here.

I always make sure I am on top of emails and my youth theatre administration, keeping up to date with marketing and social media posting and completing tasks from my manager, which has become a natural part of my routine. Each day ends with me knowing that I’ve helped at least one person feel more excited about the arts, and that’s what counts.

Lastly, what’s your favourite thing you’ve done in your role?

Picking just one is so hard, but my favourite day of the week is Monday (something you don’t hear a lot of people say). On Mondays I run the parent and toddler drama group and our youngest youth theatre group.

This means I get to spend my whole Monday afternoon working with children aged 2 to 7 who let their imagination run wild as they discover drama and find self-confidence. The joy that young people get out of the theatre groups we run is what inspires us to keep working hard every day!

If you’d like to know more about what apprenticeships we have on offer, contact Katie Bambridge on katie. bambridge@accesscreative.ac.uk 29

COMPUTING:

CHECKING IN WITH ACC’S NEWEST SCHOOL Words by Matt Thompson.

As our regular readers will know, we launched our new School of Computing for 2021/22. We’re now at the halfway point of the year and it’s time to check in with a few of our computing staff and students to see how they are getting on, how they’ve found the first half of the year and what they hope the future looks like for computing at ACC! Aaron, a computing student from Manchester - I was interested in this course as it didn't lock me into one role, and had a bunch of different areas of the computing subject such as networking and programming. We have done lots of interesting and fun things such as building our own computers in Networking, and learning about all the different ways to protect your information and your computer in Cyber Security.

Work placements, in which we get to work in a real-world company, are a key part of the course as it gives us an opportunity to learn about life in a professional working environment.

I think computing in the future will continue to expand as everyone wants to make things easier and have access to cool new technology they couldn't have imagined in the past. No matter what, there will always be jobs in the computing industry with more and more coming in the future.

Iain, a computing tutor from Norwich - The first three months of teaching the Software Development T-level at ACC has been an incredible learning experience, hopefully for the students as well as for me. I believe that the T-Level Computing courses provide one of the very best opportunities for students in the 16-18 age group to move onto Higher Education or directly into a career within an industry that is not short of positions.

The range of subjects we have covered in the first few months of this course is very similar to the range of subjects that I covered within my Computer Science degree. The knowledge that is gained in this time provides an excellent primer for any students who wish to move on to university and would set them significantly ahead of most students who are starting a Computer Science degree or related course.

One of the truly unique things we have been doing during this T-Level course is to really focus on how to make the course relevant to actually

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working in the digital world. We’ve even had roundtable sessions and networking events with industry professionals and experts who have been helping us craft the curriculum so that we are preparing our learners with the knowledge and skills that are most relevant to employers at this present time. These conversations have allowed us to understand what tools, languages and subjects will give our students the best chance to land a job in the industry and to allow them to be prepared to excel in their roles.

We have had the amazing opportunity to use industry standard tools and high quality equipment to get a realistic insight into the tool sets used in the professional worlds of software development and cyber security.

The environment at ACC has allowed the students a venue where they can explore their interests in the subject and meet and socialise with others of similar interests, and they’ve become a real team often found playing Pokemon Go together.

The academic year so far has been brilliant. We are on a journey together that, I believe, will lead our T-Level learners onto greater things. As we expand the computing school here at ACC, the T-Level courses here will go from strength to strength.

And there we have it, a behind the scenes look at how our newest school is getting on. It sounds like it’s making a real impact and we can’t wait to see what else comes from them!

If you’re interested in computing, coding or cyber-security, check out our courses at accesscreative.ac.uk/courses/computingcourses and apply for September 2022. access issue 19 | Winter 2021/22

Computing: Checking in with ACC’s newest school

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MEET THE TUTOR:

CHRIS MIDDLETONBOLCH Words by Matt Thompson.

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Chris Middleton-Bolch, Pathway Manager for Games and eSports at ACC Norwich, an avid gamer and a man with real, on the ground competitive eSports experience. We sat down for a catch-up with him about how he’s found his time so far at ACC and why he’s so entrenched in the world of gaming.

Hi Chris, tell us a bit about yourself!

Hi, my name is Chris. I have been with ACC for almost 3 years now, before that I was a professional eSports player for an organisation called Alliance.

Within the organisation I focused on a game called H1Z1 which is a battle royale game that housed 150-200 players fighting off in a last man standing type arena. I was also a Twitch partner, creating regular content for my fanbase and viewers. From there, I studied Computer Science at Kingston University and focused on programming and software development. Lastly, I fused both of those aspects together and I started programming games which led me here.

Which games and gaming technology made the biggest impact on you?

I originally started playing games with my brother back in the dial-up connection days. My dad was always an avid technology enthusiast, he had the best PC’s, tech and connections he could lay his hands on.

A specific memory sticks in my head of a game called Tibia, a 2D top down MMORPG. It required a stable internet connection because if your character was eliminated you would lose everything. My brother and I would wait for the dial up connection to finish, put on our headsets and immerse ourselves in a world of adventure. This game had, by far, the biggest impact on my life.

As for technology, the evolution of internet connection has been the most fascinating for me. I am forever grateful for the 100MBPS download speed I have now.

What led you to working within games and eSports and did the games and tech have any effect on the direction you took?

At the age of 17, I moved to America for three years to teach at a summer

Meet the Tutor: Chris Middleton-Bolch

camp and during that time I realised I definitely wanted to be a teacher of some sort. From then, I tried my hand at various different jobs including eSports player, teaching at a primary school and even a car mechanic. I soon realised my niche was definitely games after competing for over two years.

Whenever I talked about the subject it made me happy and passionate. This realisation coupled with my love for teaching put me in the right direction.

Luckily I stumbled across a job at ACC mid year. I immediately applied, interviewed and joined the team in the space of a week.

Why do you feel games and eSports are so important?

I believe games play an important role in wellbeing, friendship, communication, interactivity and much more. During my time at university I learned all about the cognitive thinking behind games development. Every time you hit a level up in your game your brain is rewarded with a positive kick this causes a heavy positive connection between you and the game. I have experienced friendships throughout gaming and seen students become close friends due to game similarities.

All of these key points together really show the importance of playing and making games.

How do you approach games and eSports in an educational setting, and what made you want to be involved in ACC and education?

The games industry is rapidly growing and the eSports industry is very new on the scene. Both these industries have a vast array of jobs available. Within eSports you can dive into coaching and casting or you can become en eSports physiotherapist or a health and wellbeing coach.

With games you have a mix of art and technology, from 3D modelling to games programming. The mix of it all, allows students to access their niche.

Seeing the ‘lightbulb’ moment whilst teaching is an excellent feeling; you’ve managed to pass your knowledge onto someone else. Additionally I find games students are always so passionate about what they’re doing.

Is there anything the games industry can do better, and how is education going to affect that?

The industry is still very new and has a lot to learn. One of the major problems within the games industry is inclusivity.

Gender representation and pay inequality has really affected the games industry. I am always glad to see a mix of genders signing up for our games courses at ACC as we can bring recognition to everybody. Whilst in education, students can learn how to accept each other, work as a team and discuss topical issues together.

Education is a time to raise awareness of these issues and for students to tackle these topics head on, creating a more open and inclusive environment in the future.

Lastly, what do you think the future of eSports, gaming and gaming technology is?

UK eSports is quite behind compared to America and especially Asia as a region. I believe the goal for the next couple of years is to develop regular tournaments within games, treating it more like a sports season rather than occasional tournaments here and there.

League Championship Series (LCS) is the best example of this which is hosted every year with a regular prize pool. Players are paid on a regular basis; creating a more professional industry. ACC is progressing quickly in this industry with the new Esports course and the upcoming VFX course.

To find out more about studying esports at ACC, visit accesscreative.ac.uk

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BEATING THE COMPETITION AT BEA ESPORTS VALORANT:

CLEAN UP CREW Words by Matt Thompson.

In case you didn’t know, we now offer eSports at ACC! It’s been a really exciting time for us to delve into this whole new area of gaming and as part of that, some ACC eSports teams have been formed. Partly to offer real-world experience in competitive gaming, partly because it allows us to be an active part of this new sporting community and partly because it’s fun and exciting to see our students take to the stage and jump into battle!

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Recently, Clean Up Crew, an eSports team made up of ACC Norwich students Sean, Rhys, Laban and Elliot took part in the recent British eSports Association’s (BEA) Valorant tournament. We took some time out to find out what they’ve thought of the tournament.

Hi guys, how has the BEA eSports tournament been so far?

Sean: The tournament has been an amazing experience, challenging at times but great to have a better insight into how eSports works in the UK. Rhys: It’s been a new but great experience, pretty challenging and interesting to find out more about British eSports.

Laban: The tournament has been amazing and allowed me to gain valuable experience in the competitive sector.

Elliot: So far I have had some great moments with the team in the tournament and other teams taking part. I’ve loved getting closer with my teammates, getting to the stage of being in more than just a competitive game and instead playing at a level which could determine our chances of winning later in the game.

What’s it like to be in an eSports team like Clean Up Crew in a tournament of this scale?

R: It’s been really fun and challenging and has created some exciting moments to remember when going through my eSports career.

L: It has been quite a challenge so far, with some very tough opponents. The overall experience has been quite a thrill with some very intense moments within the games. It has also allowed us to really get a feel for what being part of

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an organisation is like.

S: It has been very fun to be able to play with friends, improving together and competing against other teams dealing with very intense and exciting moments with each other.

E: Being in the Clean Up Crew is giving me the opportunity to practice multiple hours and sessions weekly to get the performance expected of the player.

I love the experience of being in a team as it has bought us closer in and outside of the game.

What do you think it brings to your experience of studying and ACC in general?

R: It has brought a new perspective on the eSports industry which has positively impacted my studying a lot.

S: I agree with Rhys. It’s improved my whole perspective on the industry and helps with studying in a very positive way.

L: It has allowed me to see what it is like to play within a large scale tournament first hand, as well as creating a bond with my other team mates over a hobby that we all enjoy.

E: Playing for the team gives me that

Clean Up Crew

extra boost of eSports experience of what it’s like taking part in tournaments and a behind the scenes understanding how a tournament is run. This experience will help me in the future when I start to think about what job I would want.

Do you think it’s changed your overall opinion of the wider gaming industry, and if so how?

L: It’s opened my eyes to how difficult it is to organise a tournament of a larger scale.

E: My overall opinion of the gaming industry hasn’t changed massively.

What has changed is the way I see a professional player, how they achieve, how they manage to continue playing at a high level of competitiveness and also how they keep their composure.

Lastly, what are your aims for the future and has taking part in tournaments of this size changed your aims?

S: It has made me want to compete in more tournaments in the future at the same amateur level, but it also makes me want to strive to play in bigger

tournaments and improve as a player.

R: It has definitely made me want to pursue the potential of being part of a professional eSports team.

L: My aim for the future is to work within the eSports industry as a coach/ analyst. Playing this tournament has really helped me understand what it is like to coach a team of players to a high standard and level.

E: At the beginning of the tournament, I felt some pressure to achieve. For the first two weeks of the tournament, I was entirely focused on winning, which was a bit of a weight. But all I needed to do was compose myself and focus on my own gameplay rather than focusing on getting the win.

To keep up to date with Clean Up Crew, follow them on instagram @cleanupcrewesports.

If you’re interested in eSports, go to accesscreative.ac.uk for more information on our eSports courses currently accepting applications for September.

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MEET THE STUDENT:

OSCAR MASON Words by Matt Thompson.

Meet Oscar from ACC Birmingham. As well as studying Studio and Live Sound Level 3, he also recently launched his own live sound business OMPS and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. We took some time out to sit down with him and find out how he got so busy and what the future holds.

Hi Oscar! Tell us a bit about yourself!

Hiya My name’s Oscar, I’m a second year student at ACC Birmingham studying Studio and Live Sound Level 3. I have always enjoyed looking at the technology behind events and in recent years, I’ve found a particular interest in sound engineering.

What inspired you to get into live sound and how do you think it’s impacted on your work to date?

I’ve been a Christian my whole life and that is where my interest began.

Watching the team working together to produce the service each week and then seeing how the tech helps others to engage was something I always wanted to do. I still to this day enjoy facilitating a church service and I’m heavily involved in all technical aspects of the church now.

How do you approach an environment sound wise, what do you have to factor in and what are you looking for and doing to get a good result?

When working in the events world, particularly sound engineering, it’s all about forward thinking and planning.

When working in a new venue, finding out what is available in terms of power, location of outlets, PA placement, equipment provided by the venue and what I need to bring are all important details which help me as a sound engineer to plan and prepare to the best of my ability.

Meet the Student: Oscar Mason

Before every event, it is important to contact the bands playing to find out what instruments they have, who the vocalists are, if any of the vocalists also play an instrument and if there are any unique instruments that I’m going to have to learn mic-ing techniques for.

Carrying out this preparation makes an event run so much smoother and reduces the chances of surprises when a band arrives.

What has studying your course at ACC brought to your work?

My time at ACC has given me an array of opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to access elsewhere. For example I have been given multiple opportunities to do sound in some of Digbeth’s most well-known venues such as The Mill. I have been able to also mix and use some of the best equipment available in the industry, such as the Midas M32 live console and the Audient ASP4616 in a state of the art studio facility.

What’s the best thing about doing what you do and have you learned anything that surprised you?

The best thing about working with sound is seeing and hearing the crowd enjoying the show that you have been a part of creating. Furthermore, being able to support some amazing up and coming artists in their early years of growth is a really special experience.

One of the biggest things I have learnt is that working in the event industry is so much more than just plugging a cable in and moving faders up and down. It’s about helping to create those moments that artists and audiences will remember for years to come.

You run your own business. Tell us about that, how you started it, what it does and why you set it up?

I started my business, OMPS, to help make an identity for myself in the business and to one day operate as a full scale production company providing sound, lighting and visuals for events around the Midlands and surrounding areas. Currently OMPS is undergoing

a growth period and I am working on building it so that when I leave ACC at the end of this year, I can be selfemployed and enjoy all the benefits that it provides.

What challenges have you faced running your own business, and what advice would you give to anyone who wants to do the same?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced in running my own business was starting it just weeks before the first COVID-19 lockdown. I had a busy summer of working on some great local events and gaining experience before starting at ACC in September but those plans changed overnight meaning many planned events were cancelled.

It was so tough. But I adapted to the circumstances, built bridges to get over the mountains and got my business back on track. So my biggest piece of advice is to stick at it! Challenges will come on your journey and it’s easy to give up, but you MUST adapt and find ways round the problems you face.

Lastly, what are your future goals and plans?

My biggest goal in life is to enjoy it.

I want to see OMPS grow, become successful and be able to look at my business and see the progress we have made and be proud of what we have accomplished.

After finishing at ACC I plan to work alongside two of my greatest supporters, Hayden and Jacob, to grow OMPS and make it into the business I have always dreamed it to be!

Keep up to date with Oscar and OMPS on social media.

Instagram: OMPS_Events Website: oscarmason.co.uk Facebook: Oscar Mason Production Services - OMPS

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WELCOME TO BRISTOL Words by Matt Thompson.

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Back in September, we launched our brand-new centre in Bristol.

Built on the site of the Bierkeller, an historic Bristol venue, we developed this new space to be fit for generations of future creatives to come.

You can expect wide open areas within the centre, carefully designed classrooms, iMac suites, studios and rehearsal spaces fully equipped with the latest and greatest technology available so you can hone your skills in a professional grade environment.

On top of that, we’ve also included a venue space in homage to the Bierkeller and it’s storied creative history, so that our students can showcase their work and build performance skills in a place where scores of artists have before them.

Welcome to Bristol

Our new centre isn’t all about music though and we’ve got equipment on site to cater for all areas of creativity we cover including a full green screen suite, gaming labs, the latest photography and computing equipment and software.

To celebrate this new space, we welcomed some of the biggest and brightest names from Bristol’s creative scene to our launch event. Offering a first look at what we’ve created, as well as a chance to try out the new equipment. Watching some of our students and alumni perform within these famous walls really felt like the project had come full circle and we’re proud and delighted to officially be open now.

We hope you’re as excited as we are when you see what we’ve created.

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ON AIR ACC PARTNERS:

POINT BLANK RADIO Words by Matt Thompson.

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access issue 19 | Winter 2021/22

ACC Partners Point Blank Radio, Traktion and B-Side Project welcome alumni Paris Hammond’s new show!

Music producers, we have an opportunity for you! The incredible ACC alumni Parish “The Sheriff” Hammond will be hosting a monthly radio show on underground station Point Blank Radio from 26th January 2022 and wants to play your music.

“We are very excited to partner with Point Blank and Traktion for a monthly show hosted by Access Creative College alumni Paris Hammond. I saw Paris DJ on our stage at Latitude this year and was really impressed with how he got the crowd dancing. I'm really pleased to see that Point Blank selected Paris to host our show.” - Ian Johnson, ACC

ACC Partners: Point Blank Radio

Point Blank Radio has been a key figure in the underground FM radio scene in London for 26 years and are now taking a step into DAB in London and surrounding areas. Specialising in House music and other forms of popular underground and classic electronic music, they’re a key ACC partner along with Traktion Software and B-Side Project.

“It was one of my goals to host a radio show and thanks to Access Creative and Point Blank I will be able to achieve it. The radio show will be playing all new and fresh House, Tech-House and Techno. I will also feature different guest mixes and showcase music from students from the Access and DBS colleges within the show's range of styles.” - Paris Hammond

student who makes electronica, dance or House music to submit their tracks to the station to be played on Paris’ show to play to audiences both in London and across the world. They are also accepting DJ mixes.

If you’re interested and would like to submit some music, send it via email to norwichradio@accesscreative. ac.uk.

To hear Paris’ show and even more from Point Blank Radio, listen online on Wednesday 26th January from 2-4 PM GMT and every 4th Wednesday after that @ pointblankradio.com or download their app.

Paris and Point Blank are welcoming submissions from our ACC Music Production students or any other

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ACC PLYMOUTH Words by Matt Thompson.

Plymouth. A beautiful, historic city by the sea, now the home of our newest centre, ACC Plymouth.

Plymouth offers far more than just being a seaside town. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, right next to Dartmoor National Park and in the middle of two of the most globally renowned areas of the UK (Cornwall and Devon), the city is an oasis for residents and visitors alike looking for lively hustle and bustle after quiet country walks.

And of course, with a city comes a thriving and unique culture. Plymouth is no exception with a wide variety of venues, clubs and performance spaces that were a key cog in the 90s and 00s electronic music scene, now led from the front by The Depo, a 750 capacity venue that has more recently hosted Pete Tong and Serum.

A place with cultural heritage such as Plymouth is ideal then for creative industries education and dBs touched down in 1998 to launch bespoke and industry focused Higher Education in music production and technology.

Over the next two decades they’ve contributed to the creative scene and wider development of Plymouth, establishing themselves as a vital part of the community in an up-and-coming city with shared goals and big ideas.

This year, ACC went looking for a partner company that would allow us to evolve into new areas and expand our offering to students and dBs appeared with similar ideals and a shared background, experience and passion. As part of our new partnership

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with them, we are now running Further Education (post-16 courses) hand in hand with dBs at ACC Plymouth.

We’re excited to be able to offer courses in Music Performance, Music Production, Games Art and Games Development initially with more to be announced in the future.

Any student that signs up for one of our new music FE courses at Plymouth will have access to state of the art recording studios, DJ suites and iMac suites loaded with key music-making software such as Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Native Instruments and Logic Pro. Alongside that they also have access to all the physical equipment needed to make professional grade recordings, from mixing consoles to a vast range of microphones for various applications.

Games students will be able to work in our ‘Games Lab’ facilities, focusing on various aspects of games development using cutting edge technology.

Access Creative College is a national educational institution and with that comes even more benefits for students at our new Plymouth centre. You will have access to our ACC Live careers programme (check out our careers feature in this issue for more details) and a national network of like-minded creatives to network and collaborate with, all studying curriculums created off the back of 30 years of direct creative industries experience.

We can’t wait to see how our new Plymouth students get on. Look out for a lot more from the newest member of the ACC family in the coming months!

To find out more about studying at ACC Plymouth, visit accesscreative.ac.uk/ locations/plymouth.

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ACC Plymouth

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ACC Plymouth

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ACC RECOMMENDS:

GRAPHIC DESIGN GEAR Words by Dani Molyneux.

Designing isn’t as simple as just using pencil and paper these days. Technological advances have allowed designers to create more complex work ever more efficiently. We asked Dani from our ‘A Day in the Life’ piece to give us a rundown of what she uses every day to create her incredible works.

MacBook

Rarely a day goes by when I don’t use this. So I keep it updated and carry it round with me like a precious jewel.

I have to stop myself from bringing it on holiday. Which, when working for myself, is unfortunately sometimes necessary!

Along with the MacBook, you’ll also find that the Adobe Creative Suite is your best friend. If you are a student you can get the whole Adobe Creative Cloud at a massively reduced price, woo! It includes all the well known programmes such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and After Effects, as well so many more. You can find lots of tutorials online to help you get to grips with the software, and once you have, the (design) world is your oyster!

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Thunderbolt screen

I plug into this when I’m working in the studio. Gives me a bigger workspace so helps on detailed stuff and allows an extra screen when I’m working from copy or picking up amends.

Pencil

I like the OHTO Sharp 2.0 pencils. They are nice and chunky, great for doodling and you don’t have to sharpen them. I have a dark green one at the moment.

Sketchbook

I fill these with notes from meetings, briefs and ideas, and sketches, doodles and compositions. I like the Moleskine ones a lot but most recently I’m using an A5 ring bound one with heavy weight paper. It’s good for sketching in and easy to carry around.

GF Smith bible book (and other swatches)

As a print lover, paper is super important so I consult my paper bible and a drawer of samples from lots of other awesome paper companies before I send anything to print.

Pantone + Colour Bridge Books + other print swatches When you get work printed a lot you need to check what the colours will be like as it’s never how it looks on screen. Recently I’ve been doing a lot of Risograph printing so I have a set of swatches from my favourite printers too. That way any colour decisions I make are totally informed.

iPad and Apple Pen

I use these for digital sketching. I don’t tend to use them to work on any final pieces but I use the layers like tracing paper and mess about to get compositions right before I take them into Illustrator. You can use the Apple Pen to draw on all Adobe programmes but it also opens up the world on ProCreate which is only for iPad users.

ACC Recommends: Graphic Design Gear

Magic Mouse + keyboard

It’s a mouse and keyboard. Not much to say about ‘em. I use them a lot. Once you go there, you’ll never go back!

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ACCESS TO HE:

ACCESSING DEGREES TO OPEN UP YOUR FUTURE Words by Matt Thompson.

Maybe you already finished school or college, went out into the working world and started a career. Maybe you’re looking for a change and you’ve got a creative talent that you always wished you’d been able to turn into your job. Maybe you’ve had some experience doing what you wanted to be doing, but you feel like a qualification would boost to your knowledge and increase the scope and quality of work you’re getting. Or maybe you’ve had a break from working and fancy a change to finally use that talent you honed when you were younger.

Imagine you looked at college courses, but you already know enough about the subject area that a Level 3 course doesn’t fit what you need. Or you want to do a degree but you’ve not quite got what you need to get there.

For all of these situations, our Access to HE courses are for you. Currently running in Bristol, Manchester and Plymouth and covering music, games and computing, these courses provide a step up to a degree and can be a second chance at getting the career you want, or can be a boost to your existing career.

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Taking place over one year, you’ll learn and revise a full range of skills within your chosen area so you’re ready to go on to your degree. Alongside studies, you’ll get real industry experience and links that you can utilise upon graduation to truly make an impact in the professional world.

Don’t just believe what we say though.

Let’s hear from Emma Riley who wants to work in the live sound industry.

Hello! Tell us about yourself.

Hi! Hailing from Carmarthen, (South West Wales) I currently reside in Newport, (Gwent) and I cross the beautiful River Severn to study Live Sound and Music Events at dBs Music Bristol (Location House).

I live and breathe music. If I’m not listening to it, I’m watching it, all while collecting as much merchandise as my arms will carry. Now, thanks to Access to HE, I get to study it!

What got you interested in taking Access to HE? It was the five words of ‘are you driven by sound?’ as asked by dBs. Which of course was a reverberating YES! To be able to join a music industry led community, who are as passionate about sound as you are. The guarantee of practical, hands-on experience using professional equipment also helped!

How have you found studying?

Has anything surprised you about taking a course of this type?

LOVED EVERY SECOND! Although this is a pre-degree qualification, I would leave any expectations about the course level at the door. The word bespoke comes to mind, with our

supportive teaching being tailor-made to both our interests and experience.

The course has allowed for boundaries to be pushed and the subject to be increasingly explored.

Do you think having Access to HE courses are valuable? If so, why?

Absolutely! Time is our most valuable resource and the Access to HE allows for it to be maximised. Despite the course costing approx. 50% of annual university tuition, there really are no half measures. Joining a mixture of students from a range of backgrounds, a wealth of knowledge is also gained.

How do you think studying will affect your career path and what do you hope to be doing posteducation?

My hope is to step beyond the barrier and spend my life working in the live sound industry. To power each musical moment and create memories for both the audience and artist. With the course providing me with the confidence to turn these ambitions into reality.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone who wants to study an A2HE course but might have been out of education for a while?

To stay curious, never second guess yourself and just GO FOR IT! Don’t ever let anything stop you from chasing your dreams! Without a doubt taking Access to HE has been the best decision I’ve ever made.

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Next up we hear from Ash Bligh-Wall, a DJ who is part of the Booty Bass collective and working to create diverse, queer spaces in the electronic music scene.

Hello! Tell us about yourself.

Hi, I’m originally from Zimbabwe but I grew up in the North West and I’ve now been living in Bristol for the last 10 years. I am a queer, non-binary DJ who plays as part of the Booty Bass collective. I want to create diverse queer spaces in the electronic music scene that are as safe as possible for queer folks and allies to have fun and connect with their community. I started learning how to DJ with Mix Nights - a course run by Saffron Records, and instantly found myself thrown into the world of DJing around clubs in Bristol and at Glastonbury! I’m studying the Access to HE: Electronic Music Production course with dBs at their campus in St Paul’s.

What got you interested in taking Access to HE? I started doing other courses with Saffron Records - sound engineering and music production, and I wanted to continue my education as I feel very passionate about music technology. My goal is to go on and study a degree at

dBs and I was delighted to have found an Access course to enable me to do that.

How have you found studying?

Has anything surprised you about taking a course of this type?

As a mature student I have found studying much easier than when I was younger. I have so many more skills to bring to my studies from the working world, especially in terms of time management and organisation. I feel so grateful every day that I’m in college to be working on my passions.

Do you think having Access to HE courses are valuable? If so, why?

I think they are extremely valuable.

Personally, I wouldn’t be able to access higher education and be working towards becoming a music producer if the Access to HE course wasn’t available. I struggled with college when I was younger due to mental health issues and it means everything to be able to go back to education now and really be able to engage with the course and have fun studying.

How do you think studying will affect your career path and what do you hope to be doing posteducation?

I think having the knowledge and skills that studying will provide me with will

Access to HE: Accessing degrees to open up your future

be invaluable and I have no doubt that the connections that I make and industry knowledge that I gain from the professionals I meet whilst studying will be hugely beneficial. Post-education I hope to be creating connections and communities across the globe to further my dream of making electronic music more accessible for the underrepresented in the music industry and providing safer spaces for marginalized folks to be empowered to take up space and feel free to be themselves.

Finally, what advice would you give to someone who wants to study an A2HE course but might have been out of education for a while?

Great question! When answering this I think about what I would have wanted to hear when I was feeling nervous about re-entering education. I would say that it’s easier than you think to go back to studying. I have found that the skills I’ve gained whilst working make studying so much easier - especially since lockdown. I’ve learnt a lot about how and when I like to work and sometimes that’s half the battle!

Studying as a mature student is such a joy, and knowing that I am actively learning and working on my passions and goals every day is a gift.

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INDUSTRY NEWS Words by Matt Thompson.

Chancellor announces creation of 2000 AI scholarships for disadvantaged young people

Reading & Leeds and Glastonbury confirm headliners

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that 2000 scholarships will be given to disadvantaged young people, saying ‘(this scheme will) ensure the most exciting industries and opportunities are open to all parts of our society’. independent.co.uk

It’s time again to start looking forward to festival season, as the major festivals begin to announce their lineups.

Glastonbury have confirmed Billie Eilish as the first and youngest ever headliner of their 2022 event and Reading and Leeds announced Arctic Monkeys, Dave, Rage Against The Machine, Halsey, Megan Thee Stallion and Bring Me The Horizon. musicweek.com

Two LA police officers fired for playing Pokémon Go

Two LAPD officers have been fired for ignoring a robbery happening at a local mall, as they were too busy trying to catch a Snorlax on popular app Pokémon Go. As reported by VICE, the officers first ignored the call to attend the robbery, then when called again, replied ‘no’ to attending. In-car audio recordings showed the officers discussing catching Pokémon as the reason for not attending. theguardian.com

Sony plans to manufacture more PS4s to make up for PS5 shortages

Adele scores biggest chart figures in nearly five years

Sony has told manufacturers that produce it’s consoles that it will be ordering more PS4s throughout 2022, altering plans to discontinue the console in 2021. This change is expected to equate to one million more PS4s being made and is a result of the global chip shortage currently impacting technology manufacturing. ign.com

To the surprise of no one, Adele’s single ‘Easy On Me’ blasted into the charts with a record 24 million streams in its first week, plus 23,500 downloads, the highest figures since Shape of You by ACC Patron Ed Sheeran in January 2017. bbc.co.uk

ACC Alumni Nilüfer Yanya set to play Coachella

ACC alumni Nilüfer Yanya was featured in The Guardian recently discussing her rise through the music industry. She’s just been announced for Coachella in April and is one to watch for 2022! theguardian.com

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UK tech sector records best year ever

The UK tech sector has seen an increase in value to £29.4 billion this year, 2.3x the £11.5 billion value in 2020. The tech industry is thriving with Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham all making the top 10 most valuable tech cities list in 2nd, 5th and 7th place. gov.uk

ACC Blogs

Games Industry Growth: Why right now is the best time to join the party ACC Live: Building deeper connections between you and the industry accesscreative.ac.uk

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COMPETITION

What better way to start 2022 than with a giveaway!

If you love to draw and design, you’re going to love this.

Want to win an iPad, Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard?

Go to our Instagram @accesscreativecollege, like the competition post, share to your story and answer the below question to enter.

Who was the chief designer and brains behind the look of some of Apple’s most popular products until 2019? a) Steve Jobs b) Jony Ive c) Steve Wozniak One winner with a correct answer will be selected when the competition closes on 18th February 2022.

Good luck!

Industry News/Competition

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