Creative Industry Leaders to Headline This Year’s Create Expo

Date 14th Feb 2024

A stellar lineup of designers, illustrators, animators and VFX artists set to inspire students and visitors at West Nottinghamshire College.

A Day of Creative Inspiration Comes to West Notts

West Nottinghamshire College is gearing up for its annual Create Expo, a flagship event bringing together some of the most exciting names in the creative industries. Taking place on Friday 23 February, the day-long programme will feature talks, demonstrations and discussions from experts in product design, illustration, user experience, animation, fashion and digital visual effects.

Hosted at the college’s Create Theatre on the Derby Road campus, the event is free and open to anyone with an interest in the arts — from aspiring students to seasoned creatives looking for fresh insight and networking opportunities.

Running from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Create Expo offers an invaluable chance to learn directly from professionals who have shaped the creative landscape across film, gaming, publishing, multimedia and more.

Meet the Guest Speakers

Stacey Ray – UX Designer & Podcaster

A former creative arts student at West Notts, Stacey Ray has carved out an impressive career in UX design, working across gaming, robotic AI software, and digital toolkits. She is also the lead podcaster behind The UX Guide: To The Galaxy and will share her experience transitioning from student life into high-impact digital roles.

Sam Morgan – 3D Animator & Multimedia Artist

Representing Frame 4, Sam Morgan will discuss his journey through the worlds of film, TV commercials, gaming and VFX. With experience at ITV and other major companies, Sam’s talk will take visitors inside the creative and technical processes behind 3D animation work.

Jonathan O’Garr – Fashion, Branding & Marketing Specialist

With over 30 years of international experience, Jonathan O’Garr brings a wealth of knowledge in fashion branding, visual communication and multimedia design. His work spans print, fabric, web design and large-scale art projects.

Hannah Sawtell – Illustrator & Visual Artist

Children’s Book Illustrator and Cambridge School of Art MA graduate Hannah Sawtell will share her passion for sketchbooks, visual experimentation and storytelling. Her commissioned pieces include work for The National Trust, Nottingham Castle Trust, The National Justice Museum and Arts Council England.

Dan Sollis – VFX Artist & Founder of Digital Distortion

With 25 years in digital visual effects and animation, Dan Sollis will delve into the behind-the-scenes work on projects such as the COP27 opening film, Unlucky Traveller, and the upcoming documentary Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade. His expertise in post-production and on-set supervision will offer unique insight into the world of cinematic VFX.

A Unique Opportunity for Students & Creatives

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet current students and discuss the creative programmes offered at the college. The event celebrates the rapidly evolving creative industries and highlights the pathways available for those hoping to build a career in the arts.

Home