Enlighten explains how a Computer Games graduate helped them develop a new Augmented Reality app which provides mental health support to young people.
Company Overview
Tamworth-based Enlighten is an award-winning emerging technology company, offering bespoke digital solutions in AR/VR and eLearning.
Suzanne Edwards, Founder and Director, initially set up Enlighten as an e-learning business with a background in education. But the business quickly strengthened into an immersion tech company after Edwards recognised the uncertainty that many students are facing in their education since the effects of the pandemic.
After recognising the pandemic’s impact on young people’s mental health, Edwards’ primary goal was to provide self-help strategies in an interactive and engaging way and wanted to recruit an intern with specialist knowledge to help bring her ideas to life.
Funded Business Support
Enlighten accessed the 'Staffordshire Digital Innovation Partnerships' (SDIPs) programme.
Edwards was keen on recruiting an intern with specialist knowledge of 3D design to build avatars and 3D models for an immersive and interactive experience for their new app. Edwards is a Staffordshire University alumnus, so recruiting local talent and agencies was something that they were passionate about.
By taking part in the funded programme, Enlighten was able to hire Computer Games Design graduate, Leighton Wenlock, on a six-month paid internship.
Wenlock designed the character concepts by hand, built and designed the models in 3D, and animated the characters. Because of Leighton’s expertise and skill set, they had the responsibility of overseeing the full project from start to finish and could access support from academics at any time.
Project Outcome
The business received a significant benefit after recruiting a whole new skill set that they did not have before. They were able to build the best product for younger people by recruiting an expert to the company with the active support from the academics at Staffordshire University.
The academic and intern support, as well as the funding provided by the project, have transformed and upgraded several aspects of their business such as the technology and equipment they are using, the skill set brought in by the intern, and the knowledge of the academic throughout the project.
Even after the project has ended, the team is still receiving ongoing support from the Staffordshire County Council.
Staffordshire Digital Innovation Partnerships (SDIPs) is a collaborative project between Staffordshire University and Staffordshire County Council; funded by Staffordshire University, Staffordshire County Council and the European Regional Development Fund 2014-2020.
As a small team, we have benefitted hugely from what Leighton could bring to the table in terms of his skills, his knowledge, and just having another viewpoint.