Dan Baird Dan Baird

Skills Bootcamps at INFINITY27

The new Interactive Real-Time 3D Skills Bootcamps opportunity is perfect if you are aspiring to get into or progress within the games and immersive industry. A 60-hour government funded training opportunity, complete with studio experience at INFINITY27 and a guaranteed job interview!

The new Interactive Real-Time 3D Skills Bootcamps opportunity is perfect if you are aspiring to get into or progress within the games and immersive industry. A 60-hour government funded training opportunity, complete with studio experience at INFINITY27 and a guaranteed job interview!

To express your interest to apply for the opportunity please complete the form over on INFINITY27’s website, after reading about the available iRT3D courses (“strands”) for Art, Design, Development and Production.

This opportunity comes with 6 months of one-to-one support from ourselves here at PROTOGÉ, to help you on your way to achieving your professional development goals.

Hurry, spaces and classes are limited due to the government funded nature of Skills Bootcamps, which are funded by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of their Skills for Life campaign.

Read More
Dan Baird Dan Baird

Summer Camp Reflections

Recently we ran a 2-week Summer Camp which was delivered by INFINITY27. We had 16 people join us at PROTO, where we had special workshops delivered by external partners: including a Gravity Sketch workshop with Stella from IN4 Skills City plus a soft skills and employability workshop with Bryony from the National Careers Service.

Over the intensive two week camp the team at INFINITY27 provided insight into their experiences within the industry and completed activities with the learners. Covering a range of disciplines, the participants learned the ropes of working in the games industry including producing 3D art, game designs and then bringing them to life with programming to tie it all together.

We received a wide range of support from local organisation and wanted to reflect on our experience and feedback. Including what changes we will make for future workshops and placement offerings.

Overall, the feedback was phenomenal, with 100% of all participants being satisfied with their experience and 84% noting that they felt more prepared to enter into the games industry following their time with us.

We did ask for feedback from not only attendees but also the team at INFINITY27. We are always keen to provide the best possible placement experience and we want to ensure that any improvements to our future offerings could be identified.

Some improvements we’d like to see are:

  • More in-depth planning, including clear time boxing of tasks

  • Less technical difficulties (easier said than done!)

  • Improved internal file structure to ensure documentation is readily available when required

We have made changes and put processes and tools in place to ensure these are a achievable going forwards, such as regular checks of documentation to ensure everything is up-to-date and scheduling in planning time for the entire team before camps are due to be run. This will also allow time to ensure everybody is familiar with the technology being used.

After finishing the Summer Camp we managed to get 17 year old aspiring game designer Ash Batey, a job at Wolf & Wood Interactive. After we introduced three candidates to Ryan Bousfield, Managing Director, he chose two of our recommendations despite only looking to hire for a single role. Hear what Ash thinks you should know when considering if you’re thinking of applying to future camps.

The camp was a great success overall with attendees providing some really positive feedback, and one person already securing a job within the industry as a result of his time with us and we’d like to thank all of our supporters for enabling us to provide this opportunity!






Read More
Dan Baird Dan Baird

Summer Camp FAQ

Time is running out to apply for the 2022 Summer Camp hosted by INFINITY 27 and made possible by PROTOGÉ.

Find the answers to our most frequently asked questions here…

Please find the Summer Camp application page here: Summer Camp 2022 Application

Time is running out to apply for the 2022 Summer Camp hosted by INFINITY 27 and made possible by PROTOGÉ.

Check out our Stories section to hear how a high-quality, work-based placement has benefitted a whole range of individuals on their professional development journey into the games, immersive (VR & AR) and real-time 3D industries.

Please read the Summer Camp 2022 Application page for full details before applying. Sign up as applications are closing soon!

FAQ

  • What will I be doing if I join the Summer Camp?
    If you are invited to join the Summer Camp you will be setting a professional development plan with achievable objectives. These will help you identify areas for development as well as realistic outputs which can help you get from where you currently are on towards where you want to be.
    From here we will be partnering you with one of the INFINITY27 staff, depending on your experience level, chosen career role and discipline (art/design/development). You’ll then be given a live project brief for a real commercial project, which will help you get the experience you need, in context. This will provide you with a demonstrable, industry relevant example which you can use to help you on your path to your next destination once the placement is over.
    You can also expect to receive a mixture of on-the-job training, mentorship and careers support from a variety of staff and external partners whom are supporting the placement. Providing you with a high-quality micro-placement experience you’ll love.
    To top this all off you’ll get a guaranteed interview for relevant positions at INFINITY27!

  • Can I apply if…
    Yes! As long as you’re over 18 (16+ with parental consent) and can attend on site at PROTO, Gateshead between 8th and 19th August 2022, you can apply. There are no other disqualifying criteria. However, to improve your chances of being accepted you should be serious about a career in the games, immersive or real-time 3D industries. This means you should already be working towards becoming a 3D artist, designer or developer with Unreal Engine 5.

  • When should I expect to hear next after applying?
    We aim to let everyone know if they have a place on the Summer Camp by the end of July (31st). If you are accepted you will be asked to arrange with us a short video call so we can identify how we can make the most of your experience.

If you feel you need help with or have any questions on the application process, please reach out to: help@protoge.uk

If you still need to sign up please find the Summer Camp application page here: Summer Camp 2022 Application

Read More
Dan Baird Dan Baird

Summer Camp Applications Are Now Open

Today we open the application form for the PROTOGÉ x INFINITY27 Summer Camp 2022.

Please find the Summer Camp application form here…

Today we open the application form for the PROTOGÉ x INFINITY27 Summer Camp 2022.

Please find the Summer Camp application form here: Summer Camp 2022 Application Form - Google Forms

If you feel you need help with or have any questions on the application process, please reach out to: help@protoge.uk

Summary

  • Who, When & Where?
    The camp will run in-person over two weeks between 8th and 19th August at PROTO, Gateshead and will consist of hands-on activities. The camp will be for ages 16+ with anybody under the age of 18 requiring parent/guardian permission form to be signed.

  • What?
    There will be three types of hands-on activities - covering art, design and development - for people who are seeking a career in games, immersive and real-time 3D with Unreal Engine.

  • Why?
    The North East, in particular Gateshead, Newcastle and Middlesbrough, has become a hotspot for emerging technology businesses and home to many large and small development companies that are seriously needing new talent (experienced and newbies) to fill a variety of roles. PROTOGÉ and INFINITY27 have been working to bridge the skills and experience gap for these companies by providing placement opportunities in the region. We are the best positioned to give you the advice, guidance and experience that may help you get that career role you've been trying to get.

Remember, that we are not another training provider, we are an active design studio. This is not another course or bootcamp. We are focusing on giving you live, real world, practical experience as part of a team to help you get what you need to make it in the games, immersive and real-time 3D industries.

We will be making a professional development plan with you and helping you to present your work and experience in the best light to help you get where you want to be. Therefore, you will have to be seriously wanting to get yourself into the games, immersive or real-time 3D industry if you wish to be successful in applying and making the most of the opportunity.

Prerequisites

There are only a few things we require from you if you wish to apply. Here's that list again...

Step 1: Complete the Your First Hour In Unreal Engine 5 video tutorial series (1-2 hours) - LINK

Step 2: Attempt each of the three QuickStart Guides... (2-3 hours total)

  • Art (20-45 mins) - LINK

  • Design (20-45 mins) - LINK

  • Programming (20-45 mins) - LINK

Step 3: Apply for a micro-placement using the Summer Camp 2022 Application Form - Google Forms

Next Steps

After you have applied for and been accepted onto a micro-placement you’ll have a brief induction interview via Google Meet. This is so we can find out more about you and set some objectives with you to make the most of your time with us in a meaningful and productive way.

We aim to respond to all applicants by the end of July, even if you’ve been unsuccessful.

If you feel you need help with or have any questions on the application process, please reach out to: help@protoge.uk

Read More
Dan Baird Dan Baird

PROTOGÉ x INFINITY27 Summer Camp

We will be running a Summer Camp between 8th-19th August which will involve a series of micro-placement activities for local people who are seriously looking to enter games, immersive and realtime-3D careers. The aim is to inspire and improve in a hands-on fashion (what we do best) to get people jobs or outcomes that drive innovation into businesses across the region and beyond.

Summary...

 

  1. Who, When & Where?
    The camp will run in-person over two weeks between 8th and 19th August at PROTO, Gateshead and will consist of hands-on activities. The camp will be for ages 16+ with anybody under the age of 18 requiring parent/guardian permission form to be signed.

  2. What?
    There will be three strands of hands-on activities - covering art, design and development - so something for everybody that is interested in a career in games, immersive and real-time 3D with Unreal Engine.

  3. Why?
    The North East, in particular Gateshead, Newcastle and Middlesbrough, has become a hotspot for emerging technology businesses and home to many large and small development companies that are seriously needing new talent (experienced and newbies) to fill a variety of roles. PROTOGÉ and INFINITY27 have been working to bridge the skills and experience gap for these companies by providing placement opportunities in the region. We are the best positioned to give you the advice, guidance and experience that may help you get that career role you've been trying to get.

How to apply...

 

Spaces are limited so we'll be sending you a follow-up email in the coming weeks for you to apply for a micro-placement. For now, we would also ask that you familiarise yourself with Unreal Engine via the following free and open resources.

 

As a primer, completing the Introduction To Your First Hour In Unreal Engine 5 video tutorial series will highly benefit you and help to maximise your time with us. Therefore, completion of this will be a qualifying factor!

 

Furthermore, we'd like to tailor the experience of each micro-placement, so we have another suggestion for quickly identifying your area of interest. We ask that anybody who is interested in applying tries out each of the three strands on the links provided and decides which one suits them most before applying. This will be a question on the application and will help you understand what each role entails!

 

We're giving you some time to do this and so will be sending the application form out after the end of this month. Please make sure to share this opportunity with others who may be itching to get into games, immersive or real-time 3D and are lacking experience. Remember that this is not just another course and is for those seriously looking to get into the industry.

Here's those steps and links again...

Step 1: Complete the Your First Hour In Unreal Engine 5 video tutorial series (1-2 hours) - LINK

Step 2: Attempt each of the three QuickStart Guides... (2-3 hours total)

  • Art (20-45 mins) - LINK

  • Design (20-45 mins) - LINK

  • Programming (20-45 mins) - LINK

Step 3: Apply to be considered for a micro-placement using the Google Form.

 

 

Regards,
The Team @ PROTOGÉ & INFINITY27

Read More