MA Design Practice student Ell Hockney is hosting a new animation meet-up and social group in our degree-campus home town Hartlepool! The Hartlepool Animation Meet-up (HAM) was created to help animators connect with other animators over projects, ideas, and celebrate the initial ideas and messy-middles of creative projects. Described as “a place for professionals, students, hobbyists and enthusiasts to meet-up, talk collaborate and show off their work.”

Originally created to form part of the yearly postgraduate showcase The Northern Art Gala, Ell explained that the group “at its core, is a networking event. Animation as a medium can suffer due to social media’s algorithmic demands. Ham wants to counter that by celebrating the working process, exploring problem-solving with fellow animators, and getting feedback and direction. Welcoming the work in progress, preparation concept art, starting ideas part of projects to finished pieces. My goal is to create a community around animation, for people to network, collaborate and discuss their projects.”

Ell, graduated from our BA (Hons) Animation last year wining the Animation Achievement Award and is currently working as a Student Governor for the school, commenting “I feel very strongly about this role because I believe student voice is important for providing the board with insight and perspective, as well as for advocating for student issues and raising concerns.”

The First Hartlepool Animation Meet-up will take place 12th of February 5:30 at Blue Valentine. Find out more details by following HAM on Instagram: @hammeatup

Find out details of the meet up and how to get tickets here.

If you’re passionate about storytelling and bringing characters to life, make sure you check out our BA (Hons) Animation degree, students on this course become part of a close-knit, creative community, and explore animation through a blend of traditional and digital techniques. Our higher education campus is based in Hartlepool where we offer creatives a number of pathways into the art and design industries through our range of degree programme’s and postgraduate courses. Future students can find out more about the school, speak to students and staff and visit our campus at on of our open days! Find out dates and book here.