Will shortlisted for top digital award

Creative Media Production and Technology alumnus Will Seymour Murphy was a finalist in the Little Chip Student Award at this year’s Big Chip Awards 2018.

Level 3 student Will, from Denton in Manchester, was the only college student shortlisted alongside four university students in the category. He was nominated by his tutor Katy Rushton following a year of outstanding work at The Manchester College.

Will said: “I was very surprised and it was very flattering to be shortlisted.

The night was very fancy and a totally new experience. I really enjoyed it

Among the work that contributed to Will’s shortlisting was an animation he produced based on a brief from Animation Career Review, an online resource for the digital design industry.

This three-minute animation was showcased alongside 130 pieces of work in a University of the Arts London exhibition last year.

Creative Media Tutor Katy Rushton described The Big Chip Awards as ‘an amazing experience’.

She said: “I heard about the awards via Karl Doran, director for Flow Creative, our new employer partner. When I saw that there was a student category, Little Chip, I just knew I had to nominate Will’s animation.

I was so proud when he was shortlisted. He was the only FE student in the category, the rest are at university. This is massive achievement considering Will was not even 18 when he created his animation just under a year ago.

Will, who completed his UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma last year, is currently continuing his studies with a degree in Animation at the University of Hertfordshire.

The Manchester College Principal Lisa O’Loughlin said: “We’re all immensely proud of Will and he’s done a fantastic job as a college student to be recognised in an event of this scale alongside professionals and university students.

The work he’s produced is an excellent reflection of the passion and quality of our tutors at The Manchester College. I know Will has a promising future ahead of him in this growing industry, and it’s a privilege for my staff and I to have played a part in it.

Picture shows (L-R) Creative Media Tutor Katy Rushton, Will Seymour Murphy, and Will's mum.

Visit The Manchester College course finder page to explore the range of media courses available.