Level 3 Game Art and Development student reached WorldSkills UK Semi-Finals
A talented Level 3 Game Art and Development student at The Manchester College competed in the semi-finals of the prestigious WorldSkills UK competition after impressing judges during the qualifying round.
Competing against students from colleges across the country, Michael Gibbon was one of just 20 competitors selected to progress and showcased his creativity, technical ability and determination.
Speaking about the achievement, Michael said:
“I was really excited when I found out I’d made it through. During the qualifiers I was quite stressed because I’d spent a lot of time developing my concept and left myself less time for modelling and texturing. When I got the email saying I’d progressed, it was a huge relief and I was really happy with myself.”
The semi-final round required students to design and create an original 3D model inspired by War of the Worlds. Competitors were tasked with developing their own interpretation of the iconic alien tripod machines while following a detailed creative brief.
The project saw competitors creating a concept, building a detailed 3D model, texturing it and presenting their work.
The experience pushed Michael to develop his skills under pressure and highlighted areas for improvement ahead of the semi-finals. Gibbon says one of his biggest areas of development has been texturing - adding realistic detail and surface finishes to 3D models:
“Before coming to college, I already had some experience with modelling but texturing wasn’t my strongest area. The course has really helped me develop those skills and by the time I reached the semi-finals I felt much more confident in my abilities.”
By using industry-standard software including Adobe Substance 3D Painter and graphics tablets, Michael refined his techniques before successfully completing the semi-final challenge, which required competitors to create a Martian alien character within six hours.
Michael credits much of his development to the support and encouragement he has received from his tutors at The Manchester College.
“My tutor always pushes us to do our best. If he knows we can improve something, he’ll encourage us to take it further. Having that support and being able to ask questions has really helped me develop my skills.”
The competition has also helped Michael improve his time management, an area he identified as one of his biggest challenges.
“For the semi-finals, my tutor and I planned a timetable before the competition so I could manage the six-hour challenge more effectively. It made a big difference and helped me stay on track.”
Games Development Tutor, Mohit Godwani Mirchandani commented:
“It’s been an exciting experience to witness Michael’s journey through the WorldSkills competition. His brilliant use of software, combined with his talent and hard work, really stands out. It’s been great to see our students succeed outside the classroom and apply their skills in real-world settings.”
For students considering a future in games development, Michael’s advice is simple:
“Be creative and enjoy what you’re doing. You don’t need lots of expensive equipment to get started - you can begin with a pencil and paper, drawing ideas and creating stories. The most important thing is that you enjoy it and keep practising.”
Congratulations to Michael on reaching the WorldSkills UK semi-finals, it was a brilliant achievement.
If you are interested in turning your creativity into a future career, then come and explore Creative and Digital Media courses at The Manchester College today.