Emily Shilling, Concept Art and ETC

Emily Shilling

At the University of Hertfordshire's annual Expo, UH graduate Emily Shilling gave a talk about her work as a concept artist at the Electric Theatre Collective (ETC), with some great advice for students on how to break into the industry - at a time of rapid technological change.

Clearing at Escape Studios - Apply Now

We're in "Clearing" at Escape Studios, meaning that there are still places available for students looking to study creative media, such as animation, games and visual effects.

To find out more about our courses, and perhaps place a last-minute application, follow this link. 

See you in September!

https://www.escapestudios.ac.uk/clearing/?utm_source=esc&utm_medium=x&utm_campaign=clearing2026

"Animation Featured" Launched by BFI and MAF

Animation Featured from BFI and MAF

Calling all Escape Studios students and Escapees looking to develop an idea for an animated feature film - the Manchester Animation Festival (the UK’s largest and only Academy Award and BAFTA‑qualifying animation festival) has just launched "Animation Featured". 

Animation Featured is a "high‑impact development accelerator designed to strengthen the UK’s feature animation pipeline and support the next generation of independent filmmakers".  The deadline to apply is Sunday 16 August 2026. 

Prof Practice Module PS6003 Starts Sept 2026

Prof Practice Module PS6003

Our Professional Practice Module (PS6003) forms part of the Third Year of Studies at Escape Studios and returns in September 2026 (for our 2026-27 Term Dates, follow this link). 

PS6003 aims to prepare our third year animation, games and VFX students for the workplace as they approach the end of their studies.  Professional Practice focuses on employability, so that students understand well before they graduate what it takes to succeed in the creative industries. 

Industry jobs remain competitive, and graduates must ensure they have the right skills to compete successfully. 

BA/MArt Concept Art Returns September 2026

BA/Mart in Concept Art and Experience Design

Our BA/Mart in Concept Art and Experience Design returns in September 2026. 

Concept artists help to shape major projects in the creative industries by developing the underlying artistic vision.

Concept Artists develop the visual ideas and themes that shape the look and feel of projects, working closely with directors and producers. 

Meet Your Tutors: Concept Artist Will Brosch

Concept Artist Will Brosch

This September we welcome back Environment Artist Will Brosch to teach Concept Art to our First Year Undergraduate Students at Escape Studios. 

Our BA/MArt in Concept Art and Experience Design focuses on digital design for industries such as games, animation and film, as well as experiential design for events, theme parks, installations and museums.

Will Brosch is an experienced Environment Artist, and Art Lead with a background in Freelance 2D Concept Art and Illustration. 

BLISS Wins Best Animation at Tekka Film Fest

Many congratulations to the makers of BLISS, the latest short film from our second year animation students at Escape Studios, which has won Best Animated Short Film at the Tekka Film Festival. 

BLISS is a satire on modern digital consumerism; it was directed by Cedeal Al-Mawery and produced by Vansh Bhathela.  Axel Camacho was the writer and art director. 

This is the film's first festival award. 

"Project Umbrae" Wins "Best Trailer" Award

Many congratulations to the makers of "Project Umbrae", which has won "Best Trailer" at the Tamizhagam International Film Festival.

Project Umbrae was a collaboration between students studying the Art of Video Games and the Art of Computer Animation.  

Project Umbrae is a first person psychological horror experience inspired by PT Visage and the Resident Evil series of games.  Alexis ventures into the basement of the remote house owned by her Aunt - with fateful consequences. 

You can find the Project Umbrae trailer at Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1190412394. 

You can find Project Umbrae at The Rookies here. 

https://www.therookies.co/entries/46742. This is its first festival award.

The Art of Caricature at The Cartoon Museum

Does My head Look Big in This? - The Art of Caricature is now on at the Cartoon Museum in London's Fitzrovia.  Come along and enjoy an exhibition of the best caricatures going back over three centuries. 

The Cartoon Museum is at 63 Wells St in London's Fitzrovia, and is dedicated to cartoons, and the history of cartooning.  The permanent exhibition was curated by The Guardian's Steve Bell.

Political Cartooning is arguably the only art form invented in Britain; The UK was the first country to end censorship in the 18th Century, giving rise to political satire - and a free press.

The Cartoon Museum celebrates cartoons, comics and caricatures, and is the only museum of its kind in the UK.

Introducing "Sweet & Salty"

Introducing "Sweet & Salty", the latest short film created by our second year animation students.  "Sweet & Salty" tells the story of two rival restaurants in a busy town. The film was directed by Oleksandra Zakorodon and produced by Sarina Musab.  You can find "Sweet & Salty" here at The Rookies

Steve Sole Teaches Concept Art September 2026

Steven Sole

This September we welcome back film-maker, designer & visual development artist Steven Sole to teach Concept Art to our 2nd year undergraduate students at Escape Studios. 

Steven Sole joins us from Framestore and also from Tiger Aspect Productions, where he was Art Director on the hit TV series Mr Bean.  

Our BA/MArt in Concept Art and Experience Design focuses on digital design for industries such as games, animation and film, as well as experiential design for branded events, theme parks, interiors and museums.  

Introducing "Pretty in Pink"

Introducing "Pretty in Pink", the latest animated short film created by our second year 2d animation students at Escape Studios, working together as a team. "Pretty in Pink" was directed and produced by Eric Dulieu. 

Cartoon Museum "Young Comics Maestro" Award

The Alison Brown Young Comics Maestro Award 2026 Competition is now open - London's Cartoon Museum is looking for the next big comic artist.  

If you're under 18, send in your very best comic strip (three pages max) to enter the competition and get your work in front of judges from The Beano, The Phoenix, and (of course) The Cartoon Museum.   The deadline for entries is Sunday 23 August 2026.

"Symphony" Wins "Best Animation" in Tamizhagam

Symphony of The Morning Rush wins Best Animation

Congratulations to the makers of "Symphony of The Morning Rush", the latest 2D animated film created by our graduating class of animation students, which has won Best Animation at the Tamizhagam Film Festival. 

Symphony of The Morning Rush was written, edited and directed by Eva Gifford, and produced by Michael Koden.  Emily Davidson was the art director, and Amelie Pignon was the animation director.  The original score was composed by Alexander Lidster. 

Animation Taster on Tuesday 21 July 2026

We're hosting a new Animation Taster on Tuesday 21 July 2026 at Noon to 1.30pm UK time, taught by short course and MA animation tutor Lee Caller.

Animation Taster  Sessions are a great chance to learn about character and creature animation, and find out how we teach at Escape Studios. 

This Animation Taster on Tuesday 21 July 2026  offers an introduction to the art of 3D Animation, exploring what it’s like to work as a professional animator. 

You will learn how to use Autodesk Maya and get a hands-on introduction to 3D Animation techniques. No prior knowledge of Maya - or any software - is required.   

"Unknown" Wins "Best Anim" at Cinematic Film Fest

Congratulations to Escape Studios' animation student Alessia Gori whose short film "Unknown" has won the award for "Best Animation" at the Cinematic European Film Festival. 

Alessia Gori is studying for her master's degree in the Art of 3D Animation at Escape Studios.  

This is Alessia Gori's first film, and her second festival award. 

"Protose" Wins "Best VFX" at Athens Film Festival

Congratulations to the makers of "Protose" which has won "Best VFX" at the Athens Art Film Festival. 

"Protose" tells the story of a meatless steak invention that goes horribly wrong. 

"Protose" was created by our graduating class of students at Escape Studios. 

It was produced and directed by Yusuf Uddin.  Adam Armstrong stars as the chef.  This is the film's second festival award. 

Escape Studios Visits King Bee Animation

King Bee Animation and Martyn Niman

Escape Studios visited King Bee Animation this week, for a one day animation workshop introducing students to the art and craft of animation.

King Bee is located in the historic Elstree Studios in North London, notable for being the location of the original 1977 Star Wars movie.   

Introducing BLISS

Introducing BLISS, the latest short film from our second year animation students at Escape Studios, working together on a group project. BLISS is a satire on modern digital consumerism, and was directed by Cedeal Al-Mawery and produced by Vansh Bhathela.  Axel Camacho was the writer and art director. 

Learn Blender with Escape Animator Thomas Potter

Create Low Poly Characters in Blender with Thomas Potter

Many congratulations to Escape Studios' animation student Thomas Potter whose Blender Modeling Channel now has over 30,000 subscribers at YouTube. 

Thomas Potter has created his own YouTube channel which teaches students how to model low poly 3d characters step by step.  All of Thomas's Blender content is completely free.