From  state of the art 3D workshop complex, Animation and Moving Image suites, Digital Media Workshops,  cutting edge digital photographic studios, extensive printroom facilities to a brand new learning resource centre Kingston Illustration & Animation students have some of the best facilities around. Each Year group has their own adaptable studio space that allows for a unique and very creative atmosphere to make work in. Each area has knowledgable and specialist technical support staff always on hand.

The 3D Workshop Complex:

Our large, open-access 3D materials workshop has been the focus of significant investment over the past year, and now features state-of-the art equipment and an interdisciplinary construction area. The workshop enables you to work with a broad range of materials including wood, metal, stone, plastic, plaster, bio-resins, wax and ceramics. You will explore traditional methods of making, such as woodwork and metalwork, before progressing onto using the latest computer-aided 2D and 3D modeling equipment and programmes.

Workshop facilities include:

• woodwork and metalwork machinery;
• welding bay;
• veneering, laminating and mould-making equipment;
• stone cutting machinery;
• bronze and wax casting equipment;
• ceramic kilns and ovens;
• CNC lathe (computer-aided hard materials cutting machine);
• two 3-axis CNC routers (computer-aided wood cutting machine);
• two 4-axis CNC routers;
• rapid prototyper (computer-aided sculpting machine);
• 3D scanner
• laser cutters

Printmaking

Open access print room includes facilities for various methods of print making including screen printing, lino, lithography and etching. Specialist technicians are on hand to assist with any project idea.

 

Animation and Moving Image Suites

A premier filming space, specified to industry standards, dedicated post-production suites, sound recording rooms, equipment stores and animation and live action studios. Dedicated technicians are always on hand.

Our filming environment and animation suite house the latest technology, including:

• 100m sq filming space with 14m infinity cove and 8m professional film blue screen;
• three Panasonic HVX200 Hi Definition cameras;
• Kino Flow lighting system controlled by a 64-channel DMX desk;
• Stanton Jimi Jib with a remote head and 4m reach;
• post-production suite containing 10 Macintosh computers with 20 terrabytes of storage hosting the latest editing software;
• animation suite containing four rostrum cameras running professional stop motion capture systems as used by Aardman Animation (the Oscar-winning makers of Wallace and Gromit), Diva light setup by Kino Flow, light boxes and additional animator-friendly equipment;
• sound recording suite, perfect for interviews, voice over and recording music.

Studio Space

Each year group is given its own studio space which is used for studio practice, seminars and visiting guest speakers.Studio’s are open from 8am-9pm, students are expected to work and use their dedicated studio space. Each year has dedicated studio’s which are flexible to accommodate a wide range of projects and workshops.

 

Digital Media Workshops

We have two newly specified open-access digital media workshop which are home to 132 iMac workstations, providing facilities for 2D and 3D design, audio and video production, and small and large format printing. Each workstation runs Windows XP and Macintosh OS X, offering the latest design software including Adobe CS3 Design Premium and Apple Final Cut Studio 2.

Photography Suite

 

Our professional-level photography suite has two new digital darkrooms featuring:

• high-end workstations with calibrated monitors;
• quality input and output devices within a colour managed workflow ensuring colour accuracy;
• hardware including Mac Pro computers, Nec Spectraview Monitors, Imacon and Nikon Film Scanners, A3 Epson Pro Flatbed Scanners, Digital

Library and Learning Resource Centre

 

The Dame Elizabeth Esteve-Coll Centre opened in February 2012 and provides art and design library facilities on the Knights Park campus. The Centre is one of four learning resources centres at Kingston University and is open to all students and staff. Resources include books, journals, DVDs and an extensive range of online material. The Special Collection includes rare illustrated books, artists’ books and examples of paper engineering. The Centre has zoned study areas, bookable seminar rooms, Macs and reprographic facilities and an Access Technology Room for disabled students. For more details see:www.kingston.ac.uk/informationservices