Glasgow is set to position itself as the UK’s 3D content creation capital with the launch of a new industry-academic partnership.
The University of Glasgow, the Glasgow School of Art, and City of Glasgow College are joining forces with industry partners Float Digital, ISO Design, Lateral North and Soluis to establish the 3D Content Creation Working Group.
The initiative builds on years of collaboration in the city and aims to strengthen economic opportunities across the Glasgow City Region, leveraging the area’s critical mass of local 3D content creation industry and a deep talent pool.
The new working group will identify key commercial challenges and opportunities in this growing field, and co-develop solutions that leverage each institution’s strengths in research, innovation and skills development to drive sustained economic growth for Glasgow’s creative economy.
“Glasgow has long been a creative powerhouse, and the emergence of this new working group is a timely and exciting step forward for the 3D content sector,” said Alison Bell, dean of the faculty of creative industries at City of Glasgow College.
“We are committed to equipping the next generation of talent with the hands-on skills and industry insight needed to thrive in this fast-evolving space.
“By collaborating across education and industry, we can ensure that Glasgow continues to lead in creative innovation, attracting global investment and creating high-quality jobs for the future.”
The launch of the partnership is bolstered by the announcement earlier this year that Los Angeles-based Halon Entertainment, specialists in animation and visualisation technology, are establishing a state-of-the-art studio based in the city.
The studio, whose work includes movies like the Planet of the Apes franchise, television series like The Mandalorian, and the video game Fortnite, plans to invest £28 million in the new venture, creating up to 250 jobs to support its global productions on both sides of the Atlantic.
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At the time of the announcement, Halon said they were attracted to Glasgow by its computer graphics, animation and digital technology as well as its thriving creative and digital economy.
Building on that momentum, this working group plans to explore opportunities to further align industry, academia, and government in support of 3D content creation in Glasgow.
“The city of Glasgow punches above its weight in terms of quality 3D content creation, with local studios winning major global contracts on a regular basis,” said Professor Pauline Mackay, co-director of Realities and Immersion Glasgow at the University of Glasgow.
“The arrival of California-based Halon Entertainment in the city is further evidence of the potential of Glasgow to lead in this area of the creative economy.”
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