Some of the creative arts industry’s biggest and most influential players are set to feature at a Mansfield expo this summer, including an illustrator who has worked on the Harry Potter books.

Create Expo 2016 at West Nottinghamshire College is a free event aimed at people with an interest in illustration, 3D design, virtual reality, concept art, games design and television production.

Professionals from creative agencies across the UK will be on hand on Thursday, 21st July to speak with people about their careers and advancements within their specialist fields.

The event follows on from last year’s first successful expo and will feature guests such as Glenn Southern, a freelance digital sculptor, who has worked on sculpting characters for British/American horror drama series Penny Dreadful.

Guests will see presentations and hear tips about getting on in the illustration industry from ex-student Jim Kay, who studied art and design at the college in 1992.

Since then he has won awards for illustrating children’s books and has worked on the entire series of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series for Bloomsbury books.
Amy Smith, head of recruitment at Framestore, will talk about the award-winning company, which makes moving images for advertising, entertainment and film. Framestore is best known for its visual effects in popular films Gravity and The Martian.

People interested in the event can book for the morning or afternoon seesions, or enjoy a full day of presentations.

The event is open to all, but would particularly benefit people looking to go into or who are already working, studying or teaching in one of the creative industries, and want to learn more about the latest techniques and advances.

The event is being supported by college students on a range of multi-media courses, who will be on hand to speak to guests about their studies and range of courses.

Interactive media tutor Anthony Hall, who has organised the event, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for both newcomers and long-term professionals in the creative industries to experience first-hand knowledge and updates from some of the sector’s most prolific designers and artists.

“The stories of success and the ways these individuals work in their field will inspire and amaze our guests.”

To book a place, visit http://www.createtheatre.co.uk/Whats-On.aspx or call 01623 413363.