A group of Kirkby schoolchildren faced their monsters with a smile when West Nottinghamshire College’s digital technology students brought their artwork project to life.

The 18 pupils at Greenwood Primary School were asked to draw pictures of what they think a monster looks like, using vivid ideas to come up with weird and wonderful characters.

The project began with design and media learning company specialist Richard Marshall’s visit to the school.

He told children from year groups 4, 5 and 6 that his digital media students would bring their ideas to the screen, using their 3D modelling and design skills.

Greenwood children and teachers went to the college’s Derby Road campus in Mansfield to watch the students’ showreel of their completed designs.

Level 3 Digital Media students Ash Walker and Felix Beaumont presented to the group, explaining how they recreated the drawings using 3D digital technology.

Pupil James Malko, who came up with a character called Hextravaganza, said: “I created him mainly from my imagination, but also from a game. He has basketball and beatboxing skills.

“The students made him spin a basketball and he moved about too. It looked nice and I loved how they added a scoreboard on the design.

“I love designing games and if I was thinking about coming to college I’d love to come here – it’s amazing!”

Felix added: “We’ve been learning to 3D model and animate, so we took the children’s images and turned them into 3D models.

“I’m coming back to college in September to study traditional art and gain more skills before going to university.

“I’ve always liked video games, so to work on concept art in that sector would be great.

“I’ve got my eye on a company in London where I’d like to get a job.”

It is planned that the school will be returning to the college’s creative arts team in September to attend new Digital Schoolhouse programmes, where young pupild will learn new essential digital skills and take part in new media course, supported by the college’s students.