The next generation of animation

Forever sporting a beanie hat, headphones and an air of cool, our Animator, Phil George, knows how to create animatronics that fit perfectly with our e-learning platform.

Animation plays an integral part in our online courses. As our e-learning platform was created to fill a gap in the market of online training we needed to make sure our platform stood out, whilst still delivering the core, legislative messages and ensuring learners would still learn.

So there was a lot to consider when developing our e-learning platform, but the use of animation, via our avatars, really has created a truly interactive and dynamic online training platform for both employees and employers.

Phil has been the cple-learning animator since July 2010 and is soon to become Lead Animator. During his time here Phil has been instrumental in the development of our courses, ensuring they are eye-catching and, most importantly, interactive so learners get the most out of their learning experience. All the avatars in our courses have been designed, created and developed by Phil.

For Phil the idea of animation originated when he was much younger:

‘Ever since I was little I had always wanted my drawings to move, every time I drew something (and still to this day) I’d think “how would it move?” Cartoons like Ghost Busters, Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had a big impact on me as a child. So seeing the finished animation gives you a certain feeling of accomplishment when you see it move in the way you imagined it to.’

With this in mind Phil attended Wirral Met 12 Quays College studying illustration, fine art, photomontage and graphic design. He then went on to study stop motion, 3D, 2D and experimental animation techniques at Staffordshire University. Phil’s influences during his days at college and university included:

‘Two illustrators: Derek Hess and Brian Ewing. Their work had a lot of influence on me in college and early in university. My life in Birkenhead and my love of horror movies and books influences a lot of my personal work.’

So, after six years of studying and a 2 week work placement with ourselves, Phil became a member of the team and the rest, as they say, is history!

Phil is currently working on a completely new concept of avatar for our range of courses and is working with our Graphic Designer, Dan Toomes, to develop it. He is also animating the current avatar for a bespoke Drugs Awareness course as well as looking into more 3D animation options available to us.

PHIL’S ANIMATION FACT

A world famous animation advisor, giving a lecture in Staffordshire University, said a vast majority of animators he’s known have either ended up needing a psychiatrist or turn to alcohol/drug abuse, because it’s such a tedious and time consuming job that requires huge amounts of concentration.

We will have to wait and see which way Phil goes, but I suppose he could always create a psychiatrist avatar if need be!