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Meet the team

Nina Ellis

Staff profile

I teach on the undergraduate animation, visual effects and games art courses as well as the MA Animation & Visual Effects course.

  • Graduate Tutor

Nina Ellis

What do you most enjoy about teaching?

I love being part of an organisation that is passionate about diversity and offering opportunities for success to people from a range of backgrounds. The flexibility offered through the two-days a week of onsite study opens the doors for many who may not have previously believed that university study could fit around their commitments.

How do your students benefit from your experience?

I worked as a creature animator in the VFX industry and have experience working in the creative departments of marketing agencies. I know first-hand the internal and external challenges that are faced by students starting out in the creative industries. I focus on instilling the skills and attitude needed to overcome these challenges and help students fulfil their potential

Tell us about your career to date

I worked mainly as a creature animator in the industry where I worked on building a library of realistic creature animations. During my time here, I also worked on a number of animated shots for use in live action film projects. Along-side this, I have worked in the creative team of marketing agencies.

How has your industry experience enhanced your teaching?

First and foremost, my experience in the industry has helped me understand the determination required to succeed in a competitive environment. It has also given me experience working in a time-sensitive setting and the ability to navigate some of the common challenges faced by those working professionally in the creative field. It’s important for me to embed what I have learned from these experiences into the workshops and assessments to help equip our students with a range of knowledge and skills for entering the job market.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Apart from teaching our wonderful students at TU London, the highlight of my career is animating animals and creatures of all shapes and sizes in the VFX industry.

Why should students consider studying this course?

Whether you are new to the world of animation and visual effects or want to improve your skills to become ready for a challenging industry, the courses at TU London could offer you the ticket to your dream career.

TU London takes a unique and fresh approach to learning games and animation subjects by blending the new block teaching method with the many years of knowledge and experience that our main campus has to offer.

The result is a great mix between traditional academic studies and a more practical based approach providing a great environment for students to be exposed to the challenges faced in the industry today.

What is the best piece of advice you have for your students?

During your studies and throughout your career in the creative industries, things are bound to get challenging at stages. One thing that I always try and remember in those moments is to always prioritise your wellbeing. Nothing is more important!

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