Daniel Webster

Senior Lecturer

Digital, Tech, Innovation & Business

Hi, my name is Dan, and I am a Lecturer for Games and Visual Effects with a background in both the Games industry and lecturing. My skill set is very Broad and professionally developed to a high-level ranging from 3D Character, Environment, Vehicle, Technical Art and Animation to Level, Audio and Story design for Games.

My initial work prior to Graduating as a student of Games Design in 2012, was working in roles far removed from the games industry which involved the soul draining world of retail sales (for too many years) to the overwhelming world of missile guidance systems at the age of 17. I have briefly lived countries around the world like China and Africa which has led to a good sense of perspective on the world, as has living on both the extremely wealthy side of life and below the bread line.

 I have always had a passion for gaming and upon my return to the UK in 2008 I decided to not only turn my hand to but also master the games industry. I focused on 3D having an aptitude for a sense of design and critical thinking and sort of fell into Animation having taken it as a class that I enjoyed. There truly is no feeling like seeing something you have made come to life and then be able to make it run round and eat things (I made a T-Rex for one of my final year pieces of work).

After my degree I worked Part-time as a lecturer for the University at the tender age of 23 and took up freelance work for companies both at home in the UK and abroad. Some of this work included Engineering visualisation but mostly focused on being a 3D artist / animator for indie and A+ titles. In 2017 I was presented with a chance to gain full time employment with the University and I have remained as committed as I was in 2012 to help develop and support our students to become truly world class; finding employment in studios and other interest areas they could not have done without inspiration, dedication and the drive to earn their degrees and stand out above the competition. I am very proud of them all.

Professional memberships and activities

Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Academic qualifications

  • MSc (Hons) 3D Computer Games Design, Staffordshire University
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education, Staffordshire University.
  • BSc (Hons) Computer Games Design, Staffordshire University

Expertise

  • 3D Sculpting
  • 3D Modelling
  • Games Design
  • Texture Artistry
  • 3D Animation
  • Games Character Modelling
  • Games Vehicle Modelling
  • Games Environment Modelling
  • Unreal Engine 4 – Implementation and Artistry
  • Textile development and Physics based Rendering.
  • 3D printing: Resin based for manufacturing parts, statues, and toys
  • Scan data collection, interpretation, and 3D development
  • Social and Community driven learning
  • Large Event management for Games Development

Teaching

Undergraduate modules taught:

 

  • Introduction to Modelling and Rendering
  • Introduction to Animation and Motion Capture
  • Character Animation and Motion Capture
  • Realtime Character Art and Production

 

Postgraduate Modules Taught:

 

  • Advanced Vehicles and Weapons Prototyping
  • Masters Investigation
  • MSc Project and Portfolio

 

These collectively cover the following disciplines and Pipelines for the Games industry:

 

  • 3D Modelling
  • Architectural development for games environments
  • Anatomy development
  • 3D Character development for games
  • Retopology for games ready assets
  • Physically Based Rendering workflow development for games ready assets
  • 3D Sculpts both Stylised and Realism
  • Motion Capture for Games
  • Physics Driven Textiles for Characters
  • Material (shader) and Texture work for realism in games
  • Material (shader) and Texture work for Stylised artwork in games
  • Animation for Environmental assets in games
  • Character animation for games
  • Subject research for 3D development
  • Subject research for Games Design
  • Collaboration Projects
  • Independent Projects
in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021