A Tayside video games designer has taken her career to the next level after being named the V&A’s first games designer in residence.
Sophia George, 22, was a member of the Abertay University team which won the BAFTA Ones to Watch award for the prototype of the Tick Tock Toys game, which was originally created for the Dare to be Digital competition.
After leaving university she founded Swallowtail Games to release the completed version of the game for the iPhone and iPad.
She was selected for her ground-breaking new role by a panel from the V&A, V&A at Dundee and UKie, the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment.
As an artist in residence, she will have access to all of the V&A resources as she creates new works. She will also host open studio sessions, where members of the public can learn more about her work.
Sophia said: “Computer games are an incredible artistic and creative medium that’s often overlooked, despite them blending elements of many traditional practices including pure art, animation, character design, architectural design, music and much more.
“The V&A is leading the way by embracing computer games as a creative activity and by opening up its collection for interpretation by a game designer. It’s a huge challenge, but one I absolutely can’t wait to get started on.”
As part of her residency, Sophia plans to run a project with a group of students from a girls’ school in order to encourage more women to enter the games industry.
Ruth Lloyd, V&A residency coordinator, said: “We are delighted that Sophia George has been selected. Sophia has endless creative ideas for developing new work in response to the collections and for an exciting public programme.
“We think this will let game designers know that the V&A are seriously interested in their craft, engage a new public in this important industry and explore how our collections can be used for creative game design research.”
Philip Long, director of V&A at Dundee, said: “Sophia George is an outstanding choice for this innovative new opportunity for designers. We are delighted to be able to offer her the combined experience of working within V&A, among the rich heritage of its art and design collections, and in Dundee, where she will be supported by the expertise of Abertay’s digital design staff.”
Professor Louis Natanson, who leads computer games education at Abertay University, added: “This project is a genuine first the world’s greatest museum of art and design, the V&A, recognising the artistic and cultural value of computer games by appointing a Game Designer in Residence.”
Sophia will take up the post in October for a six-month research and public engagement phase before returning to Abertay University while her newly- designed game is produced.
It is hoped that a finished game that offers an interpretation of the V&A collections, as well as encouraging visitor participation and learning from the Britain 1500-1900 galleries, will be ready for release in summer next year.
A team drawn from the V&A’s staff, Abertay University and an industry mentor will provide support throughout the project, while Sawallowtail Games will also continue to run as normal.