DESIGN MUSEUM
Tom has worked at the Design Museum since 2003 in a freelance capacity as an animation tutor and workshop leader. During that time Tom has regularly led the museum’s popular weekend and summer holiday Animate! workshops – part of our family learning programme aimed at 6 – 12 year olds working alongside their parents or carers.
Since 2004 Tom has also worked on our Saturday Design Challenge programme for gifted and talented students, and with KS4 groups on the museum’s work-based simulation projects, during which students make short, promotional animations in response to a design brief to create marketing materials to support a given exhibition.
Tom’s enthusiasm and expertise as an animator is complemented by his approach to teaching – he is an excellent communicator and empathetic tutor, who is able to respond to individual learners’ needs. Tom is able to establish an instant rapport with students and uses his informal style and inherent wit to relax and motivate the group.
Jane McCarthy
Head of Education, Design Museum
Thanks. Best workshop ever!
Cherstyn Hurley
Parent attending Animate! family workshop.
FOREST GATE CITY LEARNING CENTRE
Tom has been employed at the Forest Gate City Learning Centre as a cut-out card animator, running sessions with both primary and secondary pupils as well as teaching and advisory staff in the London Borough of Newham.
His explanations, descriptions & demonstrations of the process inspired the students who then went on to create animations of a high quality within the time permitted.
He approached the task and related to the students in a professional manner and was clear on what he required in good time prior to the session.
I would certainly employ Tom again and would recommend other City Learning Centre, creative projects and other such schemes to use him.
Diane Mayers
Forest Gate City Learning Centre Manager
Dear Jane,
Many thanks for your enquiry. I am based in Brighton and work primarily as an animation educator, so I don’t have many links with the industry. I know someone who works at Aardman as a model animator on their new feature film, but don’t know whether or not he’d be able to pull any strings. I presume that your son has already contacted them? I should imagine that they receive numerous requests for work experience.
Does your son subscribe to Imagine? It’s an online animation community. They also produce an industry magazine. Here’s the address: http://www.imagineanimation.net
There ought to be information about companies in your vicinity on the website. They also produce a printed directory, listing companies and facilities houses etc. I think that it costs in the region of £50.00, but that’s a guess.
Sorry that I can’t be of more help, but I wish you son luck.
Out of interest, how did you discover my website please? Had you heard of me through word-of-mouth?
Best wishes,
Tom Hillenbrand
filmmaker
animation workshop leader
voice-over artist