Creative computing for the artistically talented

By VIKKI BLAND

Twenty years ago, kids who were good at maths and interested in computers were geeks and kids into art and design were cool.

But today, as the line between computer science and creative design becomes ever more blurred, geeks are cool, and arty types are finding satisfying professions as, well, geeks.

Take Kylie Robinson and Mark McQuillan. Both in their mid-20s, they work as 3D animators for Animation Research, the Dunedin-based company responsible for the America's Cup televised graphics.

McQuillan trained for a year at Auckland's Media Design School.

"It cost $10,000, but it was very intensive," he says. "You could choose video editing, game development, 3D animation, web design or desktop publishing."

After he chose 3D animation, Animation Research hired McQuillan, who is now working on television graphics for a race between Oracle and Alinghi.

Robinson, who has been with the company for six years, has a degree in computer science and a diploma in computer graphics. She wanted to be an architect, but says a high school computer programme led her towards creative computing.

"I love my job and find it a satisfying use of my creative skills. At the moment I am working on a documentary for the BBC about inventions that changed the world."

Robinson says a plethora of jobs combine creative and computer skills because many industries - including fashion, publishing, architecture, film production and internet development - use computers and software.

And they are as likely to be found overseas as at home, says McQuillan.

"If you're interested, it pays to specialise and to remember New Zealand jobs are limited."

This is what businesswoman Gillian McAven found when she returned to New Zealand after a long stint running a gymnasium in England.

After dabbling in web design and liking it, McAven, who is in her late 40s, decided to retrain. She completed a degree in business management and information technology three years ago and then spent 12 months with DVD production and web design school, South Seas.

"I used to think creative work was drawing pictures and painting paintings," she says. "Transferring those skills to a computer requires great technical know-how, but the training gave me the confidence to get out there and do it."

McAven says it was difficult learning alongside younger students, but her business degree held her in good stead.

"I chose IT as a career because it was really up and coming and I wanted skills that were portable. But it was incredibly hard work."

After she graduated, McAven was employed by corporate web design firm WebStarters.

"I started designing websites, and then I applied my business analysis skills by upgrading their website and suggesting they get into web hosting. When this increased their business I was asked to become an associate director."

McAven has since built her own website and set up a joint web venture with a large stationery supplier. She now gets half of any business that site generates.

"My advice to people looking at a creative computer career is that anyone can learn anything if they work hard enough at it, and to bring as much personal creativity as they can to their roles."

Rob Verhoeven of DVD production and web design training organisation South Seas says when educators take a student on they have an ethical responsibility to ensure the student can find work.

South Seas limits its intake to 16 people each year and those students average between 40 and 50 hours of study a week.

"We look for people who have an excitement and interest in real life applications for technology," he says. "A good graphic design and even a photographic background helps a lot."

Verhoeven says he sees a lot of young men and fewer women. However, if a gender imbalance exists in the creative computing professions, it has not deterred Robinson, McAven or Kerry Elmsley, a London-based, New Zealand trained, DVD producer.

Elmsley, who jokes that geeks rule the world, works for a British company producing film DVDs such as Terminator and Mission Impossible and music DVDs like those for Underworld and Orbital. Revenge of the Nerds may well be next.

Creative computing jobs

* Web design

* Fashion design

* Architecture/structural design

* DVD production

* Digital recording

* 3D animation

* Film production

* Desktop publishing

* Graphic design/graphic art

* Printing