Ben Collings

28th February 1984

Home: (01509) 412889

Mobile: (07530) 162256

ben@cginc.co.uk

IT Assistant at St Bartholomew's C of E Primary School, Quorn

Voluntary based work, 2 days a week, responsibilities include setting up computers, resolving problems, replacing printer cartridges and assisting teachers during computer based lessons.

Petrol Station Clerk at Texaco Petrol Station, Budgens Supermarket, Mountsorrel, Loughborough, Leicestershire.

I was responsible for taking money, maintaining the petrol pumps, checking stock as well as opening and closing the petrol station. The size of the petrol station meant that I was the only person working at the station, during my shifts.

Ma Computer Games Art
Dissertation:
An Investigation into the creation and implementation of Normal maps in a real time environment.

BA(Hons) Computer Games Design
Graduated with 2:1 honours
Dissertation:
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Remake - A conversion of the SNES classic from a 2D game into a current generation 3D game.

BTEC National Diploma Graphic Design Pass overall (two Merits)
NVQ 2 Graphic Design Pass

GCSE Mathematics C
GCSE Science (double) C
GCSE Product Design C
GCSE English Language D
GCSE 3D Design D
GCSE Art E

Mr Paul Docherty
Lead lecturer
University of Teesside
School of Computing
Teesside, Middlesbrough
TS1 3BA

Tel: (01642) 218121

Mrs Fiona Wood
Head of JAM Youth Club
48 Unitt Road
Quorn
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE12 8BY

Tel: (01509) 416980

Mrs Vivienne A James
Head teacher
St. Bartholomew’s C. of E. Primary School
Willowcroft
Warwick Avenue
Quorn
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE12 8HQ

Tel: (01509) 412250

It is my ambition to be working in the games industry within the next two years as a 3D modeller.

I have recently finished the MA in Computer Games Art at Teesside University, with a passing grade. My dissertation was based on creating Normal Maps and implementing them into a game engine. Normal Maps are a texture based images that generate high levels of detail within a 3D model.

Several years ago I did an NVQ 2 Graphic Design course followed by a BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design both at Leicester College during which I was able to widen my horizons with experiences in photography, screen-printing and the use of previously unfamiliar media.

I have gained in confidence and breadth of skills and I am eager to build on this foundation. During my time at Teesside University I have learnt about Computer Aided Graphics and at the same time improved my draughtsmanship skills. I try to fully participate in all activities, and over the last few years I have become much more confident in myself and my abilities. I'm always well equipped and eager to get on with project work.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the modelling work at university and found it incredibly interesting. I've only been modelling for four years now but I feel that I'm a competent modeller. However, I can't wait to learn more about modelling and eventually become great at what (I've quickly found out) I love doing.

I am also interested in badminton, basketball and ten-pin bowling. While at university I went bowling every Wednesday afternoon with the University Bowling Club; I joined the University club having been the league champion for the final four years that I was at the Leicester Youth Bowling Club (LYBC). During my second year at university I was voted in as the secretary for the University Bowling Club. The bowling club entered five tournaments that year and I came away from four of them with trophies. I finished in 11th place on the U.C.T.B.A. (University and College Ten-Pin Bowling Association) order of Merit table, a great personal achievement. I was also nominated for sportsman of the year in the University of Teesside's Student Union's Annual Awards Dinner. The past two years I have been the team captain for the bowling club at all the tournaments we have gone to and this previous year I was the chairman for the bowling club. During the first two weeks of the new academic year I volunteered for the University Student Union’s Welcome Week as a Welcome Rep, where I had to assist people in signing up for the new NUS Extra card as well as guide the lost in addition to handing out leaflets. I also volunteered my time as a member of the Student’s Union Election’s Committee, along with the Entertainment Committee and I also helped design the Union’s newspaper called “P.T.O.”.

I really enjoy playing computer games (some may say too much). I enjoy playing computer games to such an extent that I want to make them for a living with the ultimate goal of running my own games development house. I have a web site which shows off all the work I’ve done over the last seven years, a lot of which is based on current computer games. I have been playing computer games since the Commodore 64 days and have been a devoted Nintendo follower since the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) days. However I don’t let my passion for Nintendo get in the way of learning about and enjoying the other machines on the market. Most Friday nights I help out at the local Youth Club as a "Youth Leader" where I help keep the peace and set up equipment for the night (Pool Table, Table Tennis, etc). I find it very rewarding, especially when the kids (who are from School years 3-8) get all excited when they see me there.

During my short time at Budgens Supermarket where I worked in the petrol station, I learnt how to use cash registers, stock rotation and how to open/ close the petrol station, along with counting up the money at the end of the day. I was responsible for ensuring the petrol pumps worked along with processing customers sales, including cash, credit/debit card, and petrol cards.

I am currently working at St Bartholomew's C of E Primary School as a voluntary IT Assistant two days a week, where I aid teachers in their lessons and fix general day-to-day computer issues that pop up.

I'm a reliable person and I’m more than ready to start my trip on the employment ladder.