Visitors moved between exhibits from Computing and Software, Digital Media, Film and Photography, Games Design & Development, ESports Production, and Maritime Studies, with students on hand to talk through the projects they had built over the year.
Robert McKay, a Level 3 Games Design student who has just secured a place at Falmouth University this September, showed off the animation and model work behind his second year game, inspired by rock paper scissors. Nearby, other Games Design students had their latest builds up and running on screen, from a hand-drawn platformer still being debugged to a racing simulator complete with a full cockpit rig, wheel, and pedals, drawing a steady queue of younger visitors keen to get behind the wheel.
The showcase also marked the finale of the college’s Digital Stories project, delivered in partnership with Paignton Picture House and supported by the Cultural Development Fund. Level 3 Creative Media students displayed their Torbay Memories magazine, a project combining archive photography with new interviews to capture the town’s history, alongside wider work from current and former students exploring digital storytelling and community heritage.
Photography and Digital Media students filled another wall with portrait and product work, including studio shoots and photography developed for a drinks brand campaign, giving visitors a close look at the technical and creative process behind a finished image. Families filled the floor throughout the afternoon to see what their children had been working on, while employers from Torbay’s tech, digital, creative, and maritime sectors spent the afternoon in conversation with students about their projects.
ESports Production students had their own setup running throughout the afternoon, with live gameplay footage and behind the scenes production work on display, giving visitors a sense of the technical roles that sit behind competitive gaming beyond simply playing. Maritime Studies students used the showcase to talk through practical and navigational work from their course, connecting the day’s digital and creative focus back to one of Torbay’s longest standing industries.
A new addition this year was a group of future applicants due to join the college in September, who spent the afternoon touring the campus and talking to current students about the work they will soon be producing themselves.
Robert McKay said: “Having the opportunity to showcase my work to members of the public allows me as a student to feel ready for the real world within this industry, as I get to talk about my passion and showcase my project.
Conrad Saunders, Programme Coordinator for Computing, said: “For our Computing learners, it provides a valuable opportunity to demonstrate projects they are proud of, whether that’s a software application, game, networking solution or cyber security project. The showcase is also a chance for learners to reflect on their progress and finish strong. For some, that means moving from Level 2 to Level 3 or progressing into their second year of study, while for others it’s the culmination of their journey with us before they move on to university, apprenticeships or employment.”
Steve Caunter, Assistant Principal for Hi Tech & Digital, said: “The Hi-Tech & Digital Showcase highlights the professionalism, technical expertise, and innovative thinking that our learners develop throughout their time with us. It provides a valuable opportunity for students to present their high-quality work and engage confidently with employers and industry professionals. We are incredibly proud of the exceptional standards they have achieved, and their achievements are a testament to both their hard work and their readiness for the next stage of their education, training, or careers.
Want to find out more about what’s on offer this September? Join us for a drop in session on Thursday 13th, 20th or 27th August, 10am to 3pm at our Paignton Campus: Upcoming Events – South Devon College
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