Local student recognised at national games design awards

7 June 2017

Sian makes final shortlist at Women in Games Awards

An Endmoor student’s design talents have been applauded by the games industry after she was recognised at the Women in Games Awards 2017.

University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) final year games design student Sian Knight made the final eight and was one of only two students shortlisted in the ‘Breakthrough Talent’ category of the Awards, which celebrates the achievements of women working in the games industry across the UK.

The 22-year-old former Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale, and Kendal College pupil said: “I was so pleased to make the final shortlist and my mum Helen was very proud of me.  Attending the awards ceremony in London and meeting so many women who are succeeding in the games industry was a fantastic opportunity and I’ve made some very useful contacts.”

Sian’s tutor and senior games design lecturer Bev Bush congratulated her.  “We were delighted to see Sian selected for the Breakthrough Talent Award at Women in Games 2017 as we know she would be sure to make the most of every opportunity to meet and network with others in the industry. With her sunny personality and talent, I have no doubt she will go far in her chosen career in games. Sian is a lively and creative student, very popular with her peers at UCLan and she’s developed her games design skills to a high standard.”

"I was so pleased to make the final shortlist and my mum Helen was very proud of me"

Sian has showcased her depth of talent through her final year work at UCLan by creating two very different game scenarios.  From the cartoon-like ‘Nina’s House’ based on the board game ‘Dungeons and Dragons,’ to ‘Purgatory’ based on the rings of hell in which she created three rooms with very different atmospheres, she has demonstrate her design skills through detailed drawings of characters and architecture and use of colour.

“I wanted to show what I’m capable of and hopefully I’ve achieved this” she said.  “From sharing some of my designs on Twitter I’ve already been approached by a company called Liquid Crimson to work on a AAA game trailer so it's certainly an exciting time.”

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