Met graduate opens Uganda’s first animation company el.jpg)
A Swansea Metropolitan University graduate has used the 3D computer animation and entrepreneurial skills he acquired in Wales to launch Uganda’s first animation studio.
David Masanso, thirty-seven years old and from the Ugandan capital city Kampala, graduated with a degree in 3D computer animation from Swansea Met’s School of Digital Media in 2007.
In late 2009, David started his own multimedia company, based in Kampala, called Crossroads Digital Media, which incorporates Uganda’s first ever animation studio. The successful business, which now employs twelve people, deals in a cross-section of multimedia productions but its speciality is 3D computer animation.
Crossroads Digital Media have already worked for some of Uganda’s biggest organisations. They have recently completed some award-winning projects with the Uganda Revenue Authority (the country’s tax body), as well as the nation’s second biggest brewery, Nile Breweries Uganda Limited. Their latest high-profile assignment is an animated advertising campaign for the NRM Uganda political organisation in preparation for the country’s 2011 presidential elections.
Three generations of David’s family have studied in the UK and this prompted him to enrol on a further education animation course at Amersham College.
David said: “I knew that I wanted to undertake an animation course before I came to the UK, after watching the 3D animated film Toy Story. When I was at Amersham College I had to choose a university to study a degree in 3D computer animation. Out of my three shortlisted universities, I choose Swansea Met because of its good structural course units.
“My time with the School of Digital Media was great and has been vital in my subsequent success. The structure of the animation course and its modules covered aspects from across the multimedia spectrum and has helped me to build a company and train my staff.”
About his future aspirations for Crossroads Digital Media, David said: “Our Company’s strength is demonstrated through the commitment to developing strong collaborative working relationships with all of our esteemed clients. We hope to provide quality 3D computer animation in Uganda, creating the best animated content in east Africa. I also wish to maintain my links with Swansea Metropolitan University.”
Scott Smith, Programme Director of Swansea Met’s BA (Hons) 3D Computer Animation course, said: “We are always delighted to hear about the global successes of our animation graduates. David’s achievements since setting up Uganda’s first animation studio are clear to see, with some of the nation’s biggest organisations calling on Crossroads Digital Media to assist their promotional work.
“As well as gaining high profile jobs within the 3D computer animation and special effects industries, we also have a large number of enterprising students who set up their own successful companies. David is an inspiration for future students who wish to take this entrepreneurial path.”
In recent years, leading computer graphics publications 3D World and 3D Artist magazines included the University’s School of Digital Media in their industry-chosen list of top animation schools from across the world. The School offers a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in 3D computer animation, interactive digital media, multimedia, creative computer games design and music technology.
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