We were so excited to welcome acclaimed animator and character designer Jim Parkyn to our studio!

Jim gave an inspiring talk and workshop with a focus on Character Design and Animation. Jim’s career includes work with the internationally renowned animation studio Aardman Animations. Best known globally for productions including Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run and Shaun the Sheep, Aardman Animations has long been recognised as one of the UK’s most influential creative studios.

The engagement and work produced reflects our creative community’s ongoing commitment to making high quality creative opportunities accessible and inclusive. Alongside practical sculpting and animation exercises, the workshop provides insight into professional animation practice and the creative industries, encouraging participants to develop confidence, imagination, and artistic skills in a supportive environment.

Feedback from attendees highlighted the impact of the session, with participants describing the workshop as “educational, fun and inspiring”, while others praised Jim Parkyn’s engaging teaching style, humour, and ability to make everyone feel included and valued. One participant commented that the experience “really made my day”, while another said the session was so inspiring it “may be a new hobby for me.”