By Mrs Lugsden (Head of Art and Textiles)

On Tuesday, we were delighted to welcome BGS alumna Sophie Watson (2022) back to school for an inspiring lunchtime lecture on her journey into animation. A talented 2D Animator, Illustrator, and Character Designer, Sophie studied Animation at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham.

It was a pleasure for students to hear from a former pupil who is beginning her career in this creative area. Sophie explained how her interest in animation was sparked by a summer animation course, an experience that ultimately led her to pursue a degree in the subject. She spoke about the determination and her lifelong love of animation which helped drive her passion and find her creative voice in this field.

Students gained a fascinating insight into the animation process, particularly the development of storyboards and the stages of filmmaking. Sophie described how ideas are carefully planned and refined before moving into production. She also explored character design, demonstrating how animators use a number of stages to bring their ideas to life. Seeing a range of her work was a real highlight.

Sophie concluded with practical advice about seeking out opportunities, planning your time carefully and remaining resilient. It was an informative and motivating session, and we are very grateful to Sophie for sharing her time and expertise.