Student Showcase - Graphic Design and 3D Visualisations by Luke Winn

Treehouse project by Luke Winn

Luke Winn has just completed his studies at Bucks, specialising in graphic design, 3D models and architectural visualisations, and recently exhibited his best work at the Bucks end of year show. We asked him to talk about his work, and what he learned during his time at Bucks.

Design by Luke Winn

Bucks: What kind of work have you specialized in during your final year at Bucks, and what are you most proud of?

Luke: During my first two years at Bucks I did not really know what I wanted to specialise in, so heading into third year I definitely put some pressure on myself to decide. I really enjoy Graphic Design and I think that is what I feel I'm most effective doing. At the same time I enjoy 3D work as well; combining the two helped me to complete all three of my final year projects this year.

Out of all three, I am probably most proud of the Tree Pod. This project definitely combined both areas of interest I have.  I also created a brochure to advertise the Tree Pod itself, as a graphic design project.

Architectural visualisation by Luke Winn

Bucks: What software have you used to create it?

Luke: I used mainly 3DS Max to create the structure itself, using inspiration from other sources, mainly a similar treehouse I discovered online by Joel Allen named the "Hemloft" which I used as a major influence when designing an alternate version of a tree pod. I also used Photoshop to merge the object into the background image with a little help from fellow classmates Sabah Masood and Anton Alfimenko. I also created a small animation to show the construction of the pod from start to finish.
You can find that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqseVyzs-CI
Or better, yet, watch the video below:


Bucks: What have been the highlights of studying at Bucks?

Luke: Wow - there have been a lot! I took the role as student rep for our course during the last two years of the course. This worked out really well, as I felt like I could help make a difference when other students on our course had issues or questions. all in all it was a very good experience. I have made some excellent friends here at Bucks, and many I will keep in touch with for future projects. Also, I became so much more confident by working at my first real retail job during the last two years. There were so many more highlights - too many to list here.

Graphic Design by Luke Winn

Bucks: What sort of work do you hope to do now that you are about to graduate?

Luke: I think first I'm going to work on my portfolio, and then look for some graphic design work or some 3D design work whilst doing it. I also have a lot of side projects I'm going to work on, such as maybe filming some sketch comedy with others, as well as some small individual design projects.

Graphic Design by Luke Winn

Bucks: What advice would you give to a first student at Bucks to get the most out of their time at Uni?

Luke: University is such a change for some people, and it can be a struggle to adapt. If this is the case then I encourage any student with any issues to go to the counselling department. I went for different personal reasons during my time at university and it was probably the best decision I've ever made. They are supportive, flexible and just there if you need them. It's definitely worth it, even for an issue you may not think is overly important - if it's effecting you, then try and get it sorted.

I would also say - don't get too caught up in the workload. Split it evenly and organize it, then spend the rest of the time going out to the SU, sports, whatever. That doesn't mean don't work at all... it just means don't get too absorbed in it so that you lose all ability to communicate with the outside world.

Also, don't always rely on others to finish their part when the final deadline comes around. If you are in a group project, do you own part to make it work, but also make sure the rest pull their weight. Take control of the group if you have to and tell others to communicate to you on a regular basis on their progress. If not, then the whole project might fall apart.

You can see Luke's work at his website here. For more impressive work done by our students and recent graduates here at Bucks, check out SuperFergy in 3D by Anton Alfy, see the work of Jens Kopke,  Ben Gray's Moonbeam, and the architectural visualisations of Sabah Masood and Anton Alfimenko. Also take a look at the work of Andy Thomas here, see our latest commercial project for Rocketseed, our short film done for a global aid agency, and take a look at the excellent work of designer Monika Dzikowicz, architectural visualisation specialist Krsytof Michalski, Alex Whitfield and the 3D artwork of Mike Swan. And don't forget to see the simulation work of our students done in RealFlow. To see our student demo reel, click here.)