Talent

Hello, I'm Alexis. I'm a sound designer specialising in sound for games. I received my Bachelor’s in Music Production from the British Institute of Modern Music with 1st class honours and the Vice-Chancellor Award for graduating top of my class. Alongside my degree, I studied C++ and C# programming. I was president of my university’s Sound Engineering Society, where I shared my passion for recording, production and creative collaboration. Organising and hosting masterclasses with guests from Rare Ltd, Supermassive Games, Real World Studios, Aston Mics and more! Currently, I’m working as a live sound and recording studio engineer with the goal of working in the audio department of a games studio. Combining these two unwavering passions of audio and video games into my work as a sound designer has been incredibly rewarding, and I am dedicated to learning as much as possible.  
 

Bilawal Atta is a 3D game artist based in London, who started by studying digital filmmaking at university, and after that, he did an internship at Pinewood Studios for a little while. Having worked on quite a lot of different projects, which ranged from a Hulu TV-series, short films, and some music videos. He has always been curious about the 3D world. From self-teaching how to use Maya and Blender to learning more about clean topology and ngons, that curiosity then transitioned into an epiphany of becoming a cinematic artist. 

 Bilawal has always looked at everything through a creative lens. Filming his short stories and superimposing his own guitar soundtrack on top of them. He will now pursue his goal of becoming a cinematic artist in the video game industry. His knowledge and interest in lighting, photography, and cinema, combined with his passion for video games, will be a great asset to the team to bring diverse ideas to the table. 

Find him on Instagram: @bilawal.atta 

Dasha's family come from Russia, but she was born and raised in Surrey, playing video games all the while. She moved to London for university, and loved the city so much that she never left; she has been working in web analytics in the same city for just over 6 years now. Apart from playing video games (her favourites being story-driven single player games, as well as rhythm games), she also enjoys picking up new hobbies that make her feel like a D&D character, such as archery or silversmithing. Finally, she loves using logic to solve problems or puzzles, which, combined with a fine eye for detail, drew her first to coding - which she taught herself to do in her teens - and then, more recently, to the world of QA. She can't wait to get started at the Games Academy! 

 Hi, I'm Edie and I'm a 23 year old office assistant based in the West Midlands. I've always loved video games, and I'm so excited to learn about becoming a QA Technician as part of the WBD Access X Rocksteady Games Academy. 

Find her on Facebook at Edie Straight.

Eleanor James is a queer illustration graduate with an obsession for fantasy, folklore, and everything out-of-this-world. Their fascination with games began at an early age, hoarding ornate armour sets in Oblivion until the game crashed upon loading. Since then, they’ve spent countless hours traversing as many otherworldly realms as possible, all the while gathering inspiration to fuel their own artistic, creative endeavours. 

Twitter and Instagram: @ElyanaRose_

I’m Emma Chipperfield, a game and level designer from the UK. I recently finished my degree in Games Art & Design at Norwich University of the Arts where I focused on indie development and created a range of game prototypes exploring different subjects. I love making games exploring cinematic themes, applying level design and creating visual effects. I use visual design to communicate experiences that anyone can enjoy.  

Twitter - @hunklebink

Isabela's interest in games comes from an interest in psychology and how we can apply psychological principles to create compelling and playful experiences. This interest led her to complete a master's in Virtual and Augmented Reality at Goldsmiths University. Here, she expanded her knowledge and understanding of these technologies as gaming mediums. Her most recent role allowed her to work in virtual reality research, where she designed and implemented gamified elements that allowed for an engaging experience for participants. Her favourite genre is horror, and often takes inspiration from her Colombian culture and folk stories, as their belief in the supernatural is strong. 

Find her social media @TheMightyChloro

Hi there! My name’s Jamie and I’m a non-binary person from Brighton, UK. I am a Visual Development/Concept Artist and passionate storyteller at heart. I love to write stories, design diverse characters and create vast worlds for them to inhabit through in depth world building and narratives. My biggest career goal is to be able to work across the entertainment industry on meaningful stories and diversity in Animation, Games and Comics. I am currently working on my own story projects pushing narratives for non-binary and trans representation, as well as writing and directing my own short film focusing on themes of mental health and self love. When I’m not at my desk, I can usually be found drinking hot cocoa and exploring Hyrule! Having recently completed my MA in Animation at Nottingham Trent University, I am both super grateful and excited to start this new adventure with WBD Access X Rocksteady Games Academy! 

Instagram: jamiesouthwell.art 

Twitter: southwelljam 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/southwelljamie/  

My name is Jason Adenuga and I’m an artist interested in creating experiences that give people a different lens to see and discover themselves through. I currently explore Illustration, Animation, Music composition and I am excited to begin my journey into Game Design.

Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, Twitch : @JasonOIA

Sheffield-born and raised Katie Whitham is a games development and design student, currently studying a level 4 university course at college. Originally a drama student, Katie was going to study the performing arts. However, due to a lack of UCAS points needed to continue down that road, she decided that it wasn't going to stop her, so decided to pursue her other passion: gaming. Since then, Katie has been learning the ins and outs of the gaming industry as well as the tools and processes necessary to create an engaging product. In the past, she has helped create a simulation game to simulate what it would be like to populate Mars in partnership with NASA, as well as dabbling with art, both physical and digital, all with an infectious positive attitude and charming, unique personality. With her autism proving essential to each and every project, she hopes to represent her community and show others what “this bundle of joy” can do!

Instagram - @lps4dawin

I studied Media Technology and Production at the University of Bradford, where I learned about producing short films, TV shows, and radio plays. I was often the go-to person for sound recording at university, acting as the sound mixer and boom operator (sometimes both at once!) on a variety of my own projects and those of other students. 

My interest in audio for media was piqued in a module titled Soundscapes – I had to make a presentation about the theory of sound design in any media of my choosing; I decided to study the theory of sound design in video games and how affects a player’s immersion. This is where my love for sound design theory really came to the forefront as my favourite games were the focus of this study – Red Dead Redemption and Rocksteady’s Batman Arkham series. 

After university, I began working as a Technical Operator for the BBC where I would work graphic design, camera operator, and gallery sound operator shifts. I would live mix for shows such as Look North, Politics North and Super League. I’m currently a graphic designer for BBC Newsround, but I am looking to get stuck back into sound design! 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-m-evans/  

Instagram: @_kelp__ 

Marta Kostrzewa is an aspiring games sound designer based in London. She is especially interested in all aspects of immersive sound for games and the impact it has on players. She is and has always been curious and ready to learn. 

Marta had a passion for music and sound as long as she remembers. Playing guitar, singing in local bands and recording on classic cassette players meant everything to her. Passion for games started with a very vintage console from Elektronika (Russian version of Nintendo) and the game Wolf and Eggs which she was obsessed with. 

She is also a world music lover and fan of native instruments from around the world. (most profoundly of African kora and Armenian flute Duduk). She holds a diploma in Audio Engineering from SAE London and a masters degree in Politics from University of Warsaw. In her free time she likes to be active and does a lot of sports (as a teenager she was a speed skating champion). 

Twitter: @MartaKostrzewa_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-k-kostrzewa/  

Hi, My name is Michaela and I’m both a female and blind sound design artist that specialises in trying to make games more accessible for the blind community through the use of audio. I have studied audio design for a long time, and strive to make music and games more interactive for everyone. I am a versatile sound designer as I want to possibly make every game I work on more accessible in the future, and I’m always trying to learn more and better ways to create and record audio. Audio to me is not only just music but a way to bring more people together within a community.  

Social Media handle - @Lotus.brush

Hi! I’m Micky. I’m a university graduate and aspiring games QA tester from the south of England. I do a lot of volunteer game testing through the gametester.gg website, which has been great for honing my QA skills, such as searching for errors, and creating bug reports. I have also been teaching myself the basics of JIRA, by using the game builds provided. My goal is to start a full-time career in games QA so I can put my sharp attention to detail to good use in helping makes games the best quality they can be!  

I am also a keen artist, and was featured in Gayming Magazine’s 2020 DIGIPRIDE exhibition. As well as this, I’m a huge fan of Final Fantasy XIV, and help to manage an active LGBTQ+ friendly online community of players from across Europe.   

I am incredibly grateful for the chance to take part in this programme, and I'm eager to learn as much as I can to help get that first job in the games industry!  

Twitter -  @FalcoMicky 

Linkedin - Michael (Micky) Orchard | LinkedIn 

I’ve played video games since I can remember and have only recently realised I could be apart of them. Since then I have thought of nothing else. The arts have always had a place in my heart and video games I believe capture a unique aspect, involving the audience like no other media. I am currently a QA student having just graduated from Loughborough university with a 1st in Physics. I also volunteer for Beyond Skyrim: Roscrea and am currently developing a new digital mega board game designed from 30+ players. To be apart of testing and potentially become a professional QA games tester in the future would be a dream come true.

Facebook, Linkedin and Artstation - @Nicholas Letchford-Jones

Hi, my name is Sheheryar Ahmed and I am a trainee  Environment Concept Artist. I am self-taught and have a passion for story-telling. 

I love games, movies and TV shows, which have all played a very big role in influencing the career path that I have chosen.  I love immersing myself into compelling stories and visuals that inspire my imagination.  Sci-fi and fantasy genres are my particular favourites, and I could talk about these for hours. 

God willing, I aspire to become the best Concept Artist I can be. I am aiming to work on an array of projects at the highest level, while also hoping to give back and help others with my skills. As a British Pakistani Muslim, I want to inspire others from my background and show that it is not only possible to exist in the industry, but to also use it as a platform to tell our own unique stories and showcase positive representation. 

Instagram - @shry.design 

Artstation - SheheryarA 

Skye is an artist based in London. Her favourite media to explore are games and animation, and in particular ones that investigate unique aspects of personality and self through both story and visuals. She hopes to capture what she finds in her work, and create rich and varied designs that are both visually appealing and compelling. Her ultimate aspiration is to one day create her own stories that convey themes of existence and psyche, and to use art to translate feelings that aren’t best described by words alone. Her hobbies include playing games, learning Japanese, and fitness, and in her spare time she is usually learning new things. 

Twitter - @SkylerAirei  

Thanh Tran is a creative, confident and passionate individual that loves to thrive on the current trends on technology and in audio. As a creative, Thanh loves to experiment and combine sounds to create something new. Having graduated from Kingston University, studying Creative Music Technology where Thanh got to learn new tools and techniques which helped him shape and expand his creative side in audio.  

He is also passionate about gaming and his dream job would be to work in the gaming industry as a Sound Designer or in Films/Movies doing Foley.  

Having hobbies around being creative, he also likes to edit and create videos around his interests as well as finding different ways to express himself. 
Thanh is also a team player and is really supportive with others. Problem solving is one of his key skills and is happy to help others as well as solving any technical issues that he might have along the way. 

Twitter - @TQT1995 
Instagram - @TQTran95 
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thanh-tran-198a0316a/ 

Vorn is a filmmaker and designer from Wolverhampton. He studied Film at university and has a great interest in narrative design, world-building, transmedia storytelling and emerging tech. Vorn ventured into the world of games in 2020, applying a project-based learning framework across small solo developed projects. He has worked many years in film and video production and built a broad creative portfolio spanning film, fashion, education, music and more. Driven to follow his passion for design, Vorn seeks to build a strong skillset, and advocates for a more inclusive and sustainable culture. 

Twitter - @Vorn__ 

Instagram -  @vorn.s 

Hi there! My name is Zain Ali, and I am fresh off the back of finishing A Levels in Media, English Language & Business Studies! I am now looking to start my career in the ever-expansive world of video games! I have a keen eye for detail, am mechanically minded and have a methodical approach to working. I believe that analysing, testing, and reporting bugs are fundamental to a Games’ development process. This aims to ensure that the games we know and love are released in the best possible form they can be. I am excited to be a part of the WBD Access X Rocksteady Games Academy, as not only will it deepen my knowledge base of the gaming industry, it will also give me an understanding of games being cultural artifacts rather than just fun distractions from work! In my personal time I enjoy partaking in pub quizzes with my team on a fortnightly basis, the occasional game of football and completing a challenging crossword puzzle! My personal motto is ‘failure doesn't mean the game is over, it means try again with experience’

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/zain-ali575