Second year students on The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application degree have created an animated light show for this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On in Hartlepool.

The magical display was created by created collaboratively by students and will be projected onto the Hartlepool Art Gallery tower in Church Square as one of the main attractions during the event on Friday 1st December from 5pm to 7pm.

Illustration students are also selling artwork and creative gifts alongside other independent craftspeople at a Christmas Market being held in the Art Gallery throughout the event.

Nicole Carberry, pictured left, a second year mixed media illustrator from Stockton-on-Tees, said that the group explored a large range of new techniques such as animation, projection mapping and also had the opportunity to work with clients as part of the live brief which involved presenting work to the clients, getting involved in group discussions and learning about compromise and working collaboratively with colleagues.

She said: “We were set the brief to create a final illustration that involved the community around Hartlepool, with a theme of winter and innovation.

“The final design that we created as a small group was based on the idea of ‘looking through rose-tinted spectacles’. We each created individual pieces that responded to the brief but linked them together using the narrative of hope, optimism and growth.”

She added: “My final design is a mixed medium piece including digital and traditional techniques. This allowed me to incorporate the wide community of Hartlepool. I embraced the idea of looking through rose-tinted glasses in my piece as I felt it was a great opportunity to show Hartlepool in the positive light that I have experienced.

“The design pieces were decided through a lengthy process of research, this including visiting local museums, going on long walks to get a feel for Hartlepool and taking into consideration artistic research throughout.

“The decision to choose optimism, hope and growth as our link was decided after we created public surveys and had group discussions to come to an agreement of the message we wanted to give back to the community. We felt as a group it was important not to shy away from the facts as we felt creating something relatable would be more effective for the community and also more engaging.

“The design is being used at the Hartlepool light switch on and will be projected on the church tower. It includes animations, bright colours and immersive views which will be very engaging for the audience.”

Last years work from Nicole Carberry

Nicole said: “My favourite part of this brief was exploring Hartlepool and looking at it in a different light. Hartlepool has a strong connection with my childhood and this project allowed me to have fun with my memories and create new ones too! Another part I really enjoyed was learning about animation, this is something I had never done previously and is now something I will be using in the future.” 

The Christmas Lights Switch-On event is a fun-packed evening for all the family that gets the festive season well and truly under way in Hartlepool.

Organised by Hartlepool Borough Council there is a programme of activities lined up for the free event in addition to the Art Gallery tower light show and market including:

* Stilt-walking performers the Ice Maiden and the Snow Queen – beautiful, ice-cold figures in sparkling costumes – who will tower above the crowd and brighten the way.

* The Angels, who are on a mission to spread Peace, Love, Joy and Laughter wherever they go. Beautiful illuminated costumes, neon halos and absurd humour combine in this international street theatre performance.

* Stars of this year’s Hartlepool Christmas pantomime Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.

* Hartlepool’s two favourite mascots, Hartley and H’Angus.

* Rounding the evening off will be Christmas carols from Hartlepool choir Songbirds.

At 6.30pm, Councillor Shane Moore, the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, will be joined by some of the Sail Trainees from The Tall Ships Races Hartlepool 2023 and Leon Flexman, Corporate Affairs Director (UK) of event sponsor X-energy, to switch on the Christmas lights.

Further information about the School’s BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application degree is available HERE