Edington student uses design skills to create steampunk inspired virtual world

11 June 2017

Jake showcases work at Lancashire Arts Festival Degree Show

An Edington student has used virtual reality to create a 3D steampunk world where Victorian architecture meets modern technology.

Jake Taylor, who is about to finish his games design degree at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston, said a ‘massive learning curve’ over the last three years has transformed him from a novice designer into a confident 3D artist able to take gamers into a professionally designed virtual reality world.

The 21-year-old, who attended Crispin School in Street and Bridgwater College before heading north, said: “When I first started university I didn’t feel very confident at all about my abilities and had a lot of sleepless nights about it.  However, I really pushed myself during those first two years and actually in my final year was able to enjoy it.  I love working in virtual reality and created all of my scenes from scratch including modelling and storyboarding.”

"Steampunk and cyberpunk have always been something I’m interested in and it’s a genre that’s fun to play around with because you can let your imagination run wild."

Jake’s gaming environment is based around an engineer able to explore three different rooms after his hot air balloon breaks down mid-flight.  Because of its Steampunk influence, Jake has created a Victorian world with a futuristic twist as steam powered machinery and modern technology meet in a form of science fiction.

He said: “Steampunk and cyberpunk have always been something I’m interested in and it’s a genre that’s fun to play around with because you can let your imagination run wild.  I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved but like any artist I can always see room for improvement.

“I think the difference these days is that I’m able to enjoy the journey and not just focus on the result.”

Jake’s work will be on display at UCLan’s Preston Campus from 9-16 June as part of the Lancashire Arts Festival Degree Show.