BA (Hons) Game Arts & Animation

Martial Bugliolo is a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for BA (Hons) Game Arts & Animation at Arts University Plymouth. Alongside his teaching and course leadership, he is actively engaged in research within creative education and immersive media. His teaching and course leadership focus on game art and animation at undergraduate level, alongside his role as Unit Leader on the postgraduate MA Immersive Media and MA Museum Studies. His responsibilities also include curriculum development within higher education.His research focuses on immersive media production, creative education, and the role of emerging technologies in shaping creative practice. He examines how technological, institutional, and pedagogical conditions influence participation, learning, and creative outcomes, with a particular focus on access, equity, and student confidence.He has published and presented work on mobile learning, technology-enhanced learning, and digital pedagogy. These research interests focus on the relationship between digital tools and learning, and continue to inform his work on emerging technologies within creative education.

Luke is a freelance artist, mainly working on stylized 3D prop modelling and concept art, all with a strong link to creating fictional immersive worlds. (www.artstation.com/lukewestart). The global reach of the freelance opportunities he has created for himself, enhance his knowledge base as he supports students with similar ambitions to realise their creative potential and begin to operate as professionals within the entertainment industries themselves. Luke’s freelance experience supports students to strengthen their transferable skill sets, and their professional networks, directly supporting their continuing professional development as artists and designers. As an artist and lecturer, Luke continues to explore ways of shaping the Game Arts & Animation curriculum to make session content relevant, fun and up-to-date with industry practice. Luke graduated with a BA (Hons) Design for Games, has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Plymouth, and achieved a Masters Degree in Creative Education with a focus towards gamification in art education.

Michael graduated from the University of South Wales in 2005 with a BA Honours in Animation. Upon graduating, he started work at a VFX facility in Soho, London, as a 3D Animator, working on films, television series, advertising and games. For 13 years Michael has worked on various projects for major studios and clients, as well as small niche productions, either on pre-production or post-production. His list of animation credits includes Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Fantastic Four (2015), The Lego Ninjago Movie and The Lego Batman Movie (2017), 300: Rise of an Empire (2014), Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010), and the TV series Primeval (2008-2009). Michael’s list of visual effects credits includes Aladdin (2019), Men in Black: International (2019) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018). A full list of credits can be found on Michael's IMDb profile. He has worked in various locations around the world, including Vancouver in Canada and Sydney, Australia. His specialities are in 3D computer animation, layout and previsualisation and teaching animation students the core principles of animation as a craft. His research into augmented reality and virtual reality, and new technologies affecting the craft, has helped to shape our Studio Lab for Embodied Practice.

Sam is an accomplished 3D artist, renowned for their exceptional work spanning character design, 3D printing, and Unreal Engine expertise. In 2010, Sam graduated with a first-class BA (Hons) degree in Game Arts, marking the inception of a profound journey into the boundless realm of 3D artistry. This expedition has catapulted Sam into the spotlight as a highly sought-after industry figure, celebrated for their relentless pursuit of creativity and innovation. During the final year of their university course, Sam initiated the establishment of a thriving business, dedicated to sculpting and 3D printing custom miniatures — a venture that resonates with clients seeking bespoke creations. Sam's extensive freelance experience ensures they remain deeply rooted in the professional Game Arts domain, with a keen interest in guiding students to align their studies with industry standards across the software platforms they master. Sam's commitment to bridging the academic and professional worlds enriches the educational experience for aspiring talents. Here at Arts University Plymouth, Sam is a Technical Tutor, teaching and supporting students across our Game Arts & Animation, Illustration and Graphic Design degrees, and supporting students from across the university through specialist teaching and technical guidance