Creative industries hit

The area’s evolving role as a hotbed of creative talent in areas such as sound production and recording is set to gain from what’s billed as a superb array of facilities at the college’s Cumbernauld campus.

As reported in recent issues, students in the Creative Industries department have been involved in producing professional quality music videos in association with real live bands.

This year also sees the introduction of HND Art & Design at the Cumbernauld Campus.

Hard on the heels of that exercise, reckoned a major success, the college last week threw open its doors to the public to show exactly what its cutting edge facility is capable of.

In November the College was named Best in the UK for a second year running at the WorldSkills UK trade skills competition in Birmingham.

The creative department’s main aim is to provide students with skills that can be translated straight to job-winning skills in the creative technology industries.

The open doors event showcased what’s on offer in art and design, TV, music and sound production – and whetted more than a few appetites for specialist courses in Cumbernauld.

Those who attended were able to find out from lecturers, first hand, about the courses that could be open to them – while also receiving help with filling in applications.

Studios devoted to art, film, TV and photography were open to guided tours, along with the department’s in-house radio station, RadioActive Scotland.

There was also the chance to try out interactive activities such as basic printmaking and illustrating.

Lewis Napier, curriculum and quality leader in art, design, broadcast and photography, said: “Over the last few years, New College Lanarkshire has installed and developed state-of-the-art technology to help our students move on in their chosen professions.

“When I first saw the facilities on offer for TV and Sound Production courses in particular, I couldn’t help but be impressed. I am sure any prospective students will have the same reaction I did.”