Silver Medal in National Competition for Games Designer Uxbridge College student Pit Henrich has scooped a silver medal in a national Game Design competition.

Pit won the medal at The Skills Show at Birmingham NEC, which is the UK’s largest skills and careers event and attracts around 80,000 visitors.

Competitors from colleges around the country had to create a 3D computer design of a railway station, using the software programmes Autodesk 3Ds Max, Autodesk Maya and Adobe Photoshop. They each spent three consecutive days in front of computers completing their designs, sitting in an area where exhibition visitors passed by and could watch what they were doing. They had to model a train station and include all the objects you might find there, such as seats, luggage, lampposts and plants. The designers created the basic 3D objects in Autodesk Maya or Autodesk 3Ds Max, then used Adobe Photoshop to add colour and texture so the objects looked realistic.

The final designs were judged by industry professionals who awarded the medals, Pit, a student on the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production (Game Design) at Uxbridge College, said: “The aim of the competition was to simulate a real-life situation similar to what you would find in industry, with everyone modelling on industrystandard software within a set time frame and being judged by professionals.

“The greatest thing about taking part was the experience - to be involved in such an enormous competition on a national scale was incredible. It gives you a different perspective to studying at College, and it was amazing to meet the judges.

“It was very exciting to take part in, especially as the standard of what everyone was doing was so high which meant the competition was more intense. You don’t really notice what’s going on around you, we just focussed on the screens and tried to ignore the rest of the world. It was hard work though, it drains you mentally and physically.

“When I received silver I was happy - although I was a little bit disappointed it wasn’t gold.”

Josh Barton, Course Team Leader for Media and Game Design, said: “I think it was some of Pit’s best work, especially in the context of being under pressure. I’m really proud of him not just for getting silver but for competing and for his brilliant attitude throughout this demanding competition.”

Pit, who plans to go to university in Scotland, was one of nine competitors in the final, who had won through heats which 32 colleges nationally took part in.

The Skills Show, run by WorldSkills UK, gives visitors a chance to meet employers and find out about jobs, work experience, colleges, courses, Apprenticeships, and traineeships. It includes competitions in a broad range of skills including creative arts, media, hairdressing and beauty therapy, catering and hospitality, computing, and engineering.