Hyper Island Official Blog

The Hyper Island Recruitment Tour reaches Brazil

2009-11-24T09:57:00.004+01:00

Hyper Island's Mike Cordeiro and Micke Kazarnowicz together with Interactive Art Director student Layla Cavalcante

The Hyper Island Recruitment Tour recently visited Sao Paulo in Brazil
20 students showed up, 18 went through the whole recruitment process.

Some had been following us for some time, but most had recently found us as a result of our Recruitment Tour campaign. One of the major blogs in Brazil wrote about the tour, and after that post the potential students did some research on the net. The result was overwhelming, as we met about double the amount of students we had expected, since this was the first time we went to South America.
Written by Micke Kazarnowicz

Read more about the Recruitment Tour here

Sid Lee on Hyper Island

2009-11-23T23:02:00.002+01:00

George Giampuranis and Petula Bouchard, Sid Lee.
Photo: Christoffer-Robin Eklund, Motion Graphics Designer 2010 Karlskrona

George Giampuranus and Petula Bouchard at Sid Lee were interviewed by Hyper Island Students Andreas Kleiner and Michaela Sirilä.

Could you tell us a little bit about who you are and what you are doing @ Sid Lee?
George: Creative Director for Interactive and Partner with Sid Lee since 1999.

Petula: COO partner with Sid Lee since 1999

What makes Sid Lee different from other agencies around the world?
George: Simply put, it’s our integrated multidiscipline approach. It allows our to use the power of creativity in a much more comprehensive marketing mix to solve our client’s business objectives.

Whats your connection with Hyper Island?
George: We have been doing portfolio reviews in schools worldwide for a while now. Hyper Island pinged our radar when the Crew 12 site won an FWA three years ago. The relationship grew from there.

What makes Hyper different from other schools?
George: Clearly its the methodology. I have never seen an academic environment that nourishes a mix of “learn as you go” with critical analysis, problem solving and creativity in such a practical way. The resulting students are very much what the industry needs right now.

You came here during our experience technology module, why during this module?
George: To be honest, I didn’t even know what the module was when I came. I though I was only meeting the students to talk about their portfolio. I should have read the email :-). In the end, I was very happy to be a part of this module. I hope my comments were helpful to the students who were clearly working very hard on their assignment.

How many people from Hyper Island do you have working with you today?
George: Right now there are four. One in Montreal and three in Amsterdam.

You said today your were out looking for talented people, what is talent to you?
George: Talent is about being creative within constraints and to be able to find solutions that makes those constraints appear invisible. In other words, work within the brief. Also, you must be able to execute your solution in excellence. At Sid Lee, you have to get your hands dirty.

Petula: Talented people is people who are passionated in what they do, always one foot in head, who try some things differently and creatively

If you could name 3 things thats important for SID LEE what would that be?
Petula : people, people, people

A participant's point of view

2009-11-23T15:56:00.003+01:00

One of our Master Class participants has made a video on what Hyper Island is about. Check it out here

Hyper Island students interviewed in Resumé

2009-11-19T20:59:00.006+01:00

Swedish trade magazine Resumé interviewed a couple of Hyper Island students on their latest project, a music video for the pop group Palpitation. Read the interview and watch the video here (in Swedish)

Hyper Island and SJ Join Forces to get Speed on the Digital Track

2009-11-19T15:14:00.007+01:00

Press release 2009 11 19

Two Swedish enterprises, the Swedish Rail (SJ) and the digital media school Hyper Island have joined forces. SJ takes the next step to enhance digital communication by becoming a Hyper Island Learning Partner.

We're proud to announce that SJ has been a Hyper Island learning partner since April 2009.

In a learning partnership the Hyper Island student's creativity and deep knowledge of the way to handle the digital media concept is combined with a partner's ambition to move on forward - to a bright future.

- The Hyper Island students have exceeded our expectations by far every time. The inspiration we got from the students is helping us in our day-to-day work to get closer to our objective: using the new digital media as our main media," says Maria Hoglund; Director Broad Media at SJ.

Her colleague ClaesLindholtz, Director Customer Program & Customer Analysis at SJ agrees:

- During the process of building a mobile phone prototype, the Hyper Island students where able to understand our rather complex IT and business demands, and turned it into a well-designed and user-friendly application. The prototype has recently been presented at the event
Oracle Open World in San Francisco, and got large attention as a social CRM tool.

SJ AB is the main player on the Swedish railway market with almost 50 percent of the total market shares and a turnover of approximately 9.03 billion SEK in 2008. SJ carries about 115 000 passengers every day.

- Working together with SJ has been incredibly rewarding for us as well
as a natural step in taking our Learning Partner concept to the next
level, says Mattias Hansson, CEO at Hyper Island.

Hyper Island

Hyper Island is a world leading authority on Digital Media and has been producing top industry talent since 1995. Our students work at the forefront of the digital media industry at leading agencies, around the word. At present Hyper Island has 289 students.

For more information on the Hyper Island learning partnership, please contact: Victoria Egler, Director of partnerships,
victoria.egler@hyperisland.se, +46-(0)70-832-3444 or

Christian Olsson, Marketing Director, Hyper Island, Stockholm + Karlskrona, christian.olsson@hyperisland.se , Tel: +46-(0)738-222-454

Hyper Island students on Swedish Television

2009-11-18T09:54:00.006+01:00

"Control your Info" continues to raise awareness. See the Hyper Island students behind this project interviewed on Swedish television.

Click here to watch

Control your info, Hyper Island students gain international fame

2009-11-16T15:46:00.008+01:00

Almost 300 Facebook groups were hijacked recently, something that received worldwide attention, not only on blogs, Twitter and tech-sites but also by some of the largest players in the business, such as The New York Times and CNN. The people behind this coup d’ information were four Hyper Island students who say that the purpose was not to to illustrate the system’s weaknesses per se but rather to raise awareness of privacy issues amongst social media users. The project Control your Info meant that 289 Facebook groups had a new post on its wall where the “intruders” explained how easy these groups are manipulated.

Read the CNN article here

NBC picked up the news

So did The Huffington Post and Computer World

(Check out the Control your info channel on You Tube here)

Turning ideas into business concepts

2009-11-16T12:32:00.003+01:00

The famous five's concept goes back to the future

Please check out our Digital Media student's blogs from the ongoing ”Concept and Development”- Module in Stockholm and Karlskrona. The module goes on for four weeks. During this time the Hyper Island students turn good ideas into full-scale business concepts.

The Stockholm Groups

rock paper scissors exqusite corpse netcetera group IV

blended family far & high

7 nation army eitball if 6 was 9 beyond kids

The Karlskrona Groups

1st Group

flying posits kalmarunionen gaia Digital the famous five

wool 7ate9 kaiah solutions

Hyper Island Session: David Erixon

2009-10-30T09:35:00.000+01:00

David Erixon, Brand Director at Vodafone, visited Hyper Island Session on Thursday last week. David co-founded Hyper Island in 1995 as well as web agency Doberman.
During his lecture, David discussed the fragmentation of the media landscape and how traditional media channels have lost both effect and influence in a very short amount of time. David also discussed how traditional advertising has problems with reaching social networks and today's changeable consumers. Tomorrow's advertising must be based on good products and giving something fundamentally valuable to the consumer.
As an example, David showcased Vodaphone's new service Vodaphone 360, which has been developed based on these premises.

Recruitment Tour: Oslo (November 7th)

2009-10-28T09:00:00.004+01:00

Our upcoming Hyper Island Recruitment Tour is coming to Olso on November 7th - Digital Media student Casper Cornelius Roalsvig Vasbotten will be on location.

Just like with Cas, who'll be at the Recruitment Tour stop in Amsterdam, we asked Casper to answer some questions that those who are considering applying for the tour might ask themselves.

What's it like being a Hyper Island student?
I love (almost) every day at Hyper Island. And the far by best thing is all the amazing people there. The great diversity of people from so many different backgrounds, all with an hunger and urge to learn new stuff is simply priceless. I feel this really is the backbone in Hyper Island. My experience is that you learn all the time, and not just in the lectures and workshops.
But it's also important to say that it's tough. Hyper Island is not a school you can surf through. All tough there are no exams or grades, you'll probably gonna have work more than in the regular university course to get through.
However, it's no pro doing all this hard work when your surrounded by 150 amazing and inspiring co-students.

Why should I go to the Recruitment Tour?
You should go to the Recruitment Tour if you wan to have a taste of what Hyper Island is about. I also can guarantee that if you go, you'll learn and experience something new and valuable.

Isn't being interviewed scary?
I wouldn't use the word scary per-say, but definitely challenging. There's probably only one thing to say about it: you cannot prepare for it. The best thing you can do is just be your self, and be honest. That will definitely get you far.
And if you're still scared; we'll do our best to be nice. :)

I'm unsure if I have enough computer/software knowledge to go to Hyper Island. What's your advice?
No worries. There are lots of people at Hyper Island who's not computer-geeks. And you are going to Hyper Island to learn, aren't you? You really don't have to be a HTML God to go to Hyper Island.
But if you really feel that don't have enough of these skills, and still really want to go to Hyper Island, then just start to learn. Open your computer (or buy/loan/find one) and start exploring!

Top three reasons I should go to Recruitment Tour in Oslo?
1. You'll get hands on insight of what Hyper Island really is about.
2. You'll 200% for sure learn something very useful. Probably something about yourself.
3. I'm gonna be there, and I really wanna meet you!

Thank you, Casper!

Click here to apply to the Hyper Island Recruitment Tour now!

Roger Sjögren on how Hyper Island puts slogans into practice

2009-10-26T09:00:00.003+01:00

Photo: International Programme Office for Education and Training
After a presentation about Hyper Island's methodology at the International Programme Office for Education and Training's "Yrkesutbildningsdagarna" last year, Hyper Island Director of Research & Development, Roger Sjögren, talked to the Programme about how Hyper Island puts slogans into practice.

Says Roger when asked if only persons with a certain type of personality can change during the education;
"That's not my experience. We are multidimensional people. It is not about transforming a human being. It is about getting someone to review a specific situation and embrace the behaviors that are constructive. I myself am terrified of conflict but I have learned to be in conflict because I know there is a positive way to find solutions. If I go and hide myself in my room, nothing will change."

Read the interview here:
- In Swedish
- Google translated into English

Recruitment Tour: Amsterdam (November 7th)

2009-10-23T15:50:00.012+02:00

Apply to the Hyper Island Recruitment Tour at Hyper Island's Recruitment Tour is kicking off on November 7th, making stops in Amsterdam and Oslo.

Cas Lemmens, Interactive Art Director student who will be at the Recruitment Tour day in Amsterdam, answered some questions that those who are considering applying for the tour might ask themselves.

What's it like being a Hyper Island student?
Being a Hyper Island student is one of the best experiences in my life. In the three months I've been here, I learned so much about myself, how I work, how I act in groups and most of all how I can improve myself. Everyone at Hyper is really open, and can't wait to help you with problems you have. Each and every one of the student has a personal field of interest, which brings a great learning experience when you ask them for help.
And beside that you have the parties, gaming contests, daily laughs and unique experiences you'll cherish for the rest of you life.

Why should I go to the Recruitment Tour?
Because the day is just full of new experiences. First of all, you get the chance to meet really interesting people who have the same interests as you but with a different view on it. There's a lot of time to mingle with them, so by the end of the day, you go home with a bunch of new friends.
And secondly, you get a taste of how Hyper Island works, and how it is to study there. It's a small appetizer that gives you a sense of the main dish.

Is the interview scary?
It was one of the most difficult interviews I ever did actually. I didn't know what to expect, and the permanent pokerfaces didn't make it easier. But when you step out of the interview, you realize there is nothing to expect, nor to prepare. You just have to go in and be yourself.

What did you learn at your Recruitment Tour day?
The best thing about the Recruitment Tour were the other attendees. I met people from all around the world, and by the end of the day I knew a lot more about different cultures and countries. It was nice to meet those people, and you got a feeling how it would be to work in group with different cultures.

What have you learned from working with students from different countries?
It's very rewarding. You handle problems a lot more efficient since you see it from many different perspectives. And the creative process becomes a lot richer. You get inspired by stories, pictures, experiences that your friends will share. It's probably the most attractive thing of Hyper Island, in my opinion.

I'm really interested in Hyper Island, but I'm unsure if I have enough computer/software knowledge. What's your advice?
Hyper Island does not expect any great computer/software knowledge at all. They focus on group dynamics, and being a good leader. You work on several projects, every time with a different group. And the more diverse the group is, the more exciting the project will be. People who have a good computer knowledge are handy, but certainly not the only thing that is necessary. We need copywriters, actors, clothing designers, music specialists, sport fans, happy cookers, ... you name it! Any field of interest will come in handy what so ever. Be proud of what you know, it will be handled with all the respect it needs!

Top three reasons I should go to Recruitment Tour in Amsterdam?
1. You'll meet very interesting and awesome people.
2. You'll get a small taste of what Hyper Island has to offer you.
3. You'll just have a great day and a unique experience.

Thank you, Cas!

Apply to the Hyper Island Recruitment Tour at:
http://tour.hyperisland.se/

More information about the Experience Animation & Technology 2009 Exibition

2009-10-21T17:49:00.014+02:00

The students of Hyper Island are pleased to announce The Experience Animation and Technology Exhibition 2009, an exhibition of interactive and digital art.

The exhibition features the work of 120 students who are currently studying at Hyper Islands long term programs, Digital Media and Motion Graphics in the cities of Karlskrona and Stockholm.

Four weeks ago the students at Hyper Island were introduced to a new assignment.
The assignment was to get into 23 groups and create a solution that involved one or several technical components that was assigned by the school.

The components:
· Wii Remote
· Audrino
· Phidgets
· RFID
· Web-cam

The goal with the assignment was to not have the main focus on digital media and online environments. We were asked to explore an area much more likely to be new to us independently of our background.

Working with tangible technology highlights the importance of creating an experience, one of the key differences between traditional and digital media.

We have now prepared 23 different, exciting and innovative audiovisual installations on a exhibition for everyone to come and explore.
How about getting in physical contact with your distant partner by the use of a new invention. Or how about creating art in Jackson Pollocks virtual studio, both by simply using the wii remote?

Experience these installations and many more...

All students have worked hard with a strong focus on exploration and creativity to create one of the best Hyper Island Exhibitions ever.
So do not miss out on this chance to be a part of new interactive and digital art.

Since this is a big opportunity to network with industry people and potential future students we have put all effort into making this as great as possible.

Also, the best prototypes of the exhibition will be taken to London for a second exhibition after being reviewed by a school jury (exact date to be announced).

The exhibition opens on Saturday October 24th
Gallery hours: 11:00AM. to 5:00PM
Tickets: Free of charge

Address:
Telefonvägen 30
126 37 Stockholm

Subway to Telefonplan

View Larger Map

For further information please contact:
Nina Amjadi
PR - Exhibition Group
nina.amjadi@hyperisland.se
+46 (0) 73 948 80 12

Experience Animation & Technology 2009 Exibition - Saturday this week!

2009-10-19T21:34:00.004+02:00

Hyper Island's Digital Media and Motion Graphics Designer students' Experience Animation & Technology Exhibition will take place in Stockholm on Saturday, October 24th, from 11AM-5PM.

Find out more at:
http://www.eat09.se/

And check out the students' blogs:
http://www.eat09.se/blogs/

Live from Hyper Island Stockholm

2009-10-13T18:47:00.003+02:00

Photo: Waldemar Wegelin, Interactive Art Director 2010 Stockholm

Right now at Hyper Island: Interactive Art Director students' blog

2009-10-12T15:45:00.001+02:00

Interactive Art Director 2010 Stockholm student group Lap of Luxury consists of Swedes Kenneth Larsen, Simon Schlyter, Maira Serra from Spain, and Sougwen Chung from Canada.

The group is currently working on cutting-edge social media concepts for furniture giant, IKEA.
To follow the group's progress as well as daily task challenges as a group, such as the video below, visit:
http://lapofluxury.tumblr.com/ - or follow them on Twitter.

Apply to Hyper Island's Recruitment Tour 2009/2010

2009-10-09T12:20:00.009+02:00

For the third year in a row Hyper Island will go on a unique World Recruitment Tour during the end of 2009 and early 2010.

Apply here:
http://tour.hyperisland.se

Together with current Hyper Island students, parts of our staff will tour the world visiting the cities cited below. In doing so we're hoping to meet up with creative people who are interested in becoming Hyper Island Diploma Program students in the fall of 2010.

November
Amsterdam: 7
Oslo: 7
Sao Paolo: 14
Barcelona: 14
New York: 21
London: 28

December
Stockholm: 5

January
Stockholm: 16
London: 23
Amsterdam: 30

February
Barcelona: 8
Oslo: 13
New York: 20
Stockholm: 27

March
Berlin: 6
Stockholm: 20

April
Stockholm: 17

To visit the Recruitment Tour in a city near you, apply now!
http://tour.hyperisland.se

Applying to the Recruitment Tour is your one and only chance to get accepted to the Diploma Programs at Hyper Island; considered to be one of the best digital media schools in the world! We have exactly 100 seats for the 2010 Diploma Programs, which means there will be competition.

A recruitment day takes approximately 10 hours and consists of:
· A personal interview.
· Meetings Hyper Island students and staff.
· An individual creative task.
· A team assignment.

You can apply to the following Hyper Island Diploma Programs:
· Interactive Art Director, Stockholm (1 year)
· Digital Media, Stockholm (2 years)
· Digital Media, Karlskrona (2 years)

In conclusion, Hyper Island is all about:
· Active participation and learning by experiencing, doing and reflecting.
· Trial and error. Mistakes are often the strongest learning experience.
· Working and progressing as an individual, and as part of a team.
· Using interactive media as a tool for implementing change and improvement.
· Guidance in self-perception and the power of group dynamics.
· Real clients, real needs - real learning.

For more detailed information, regarding Hyper Island, the Recruitment Tour and how to apply, please visit:
http://tour.hyperisland.se

"This is miles away from boring interviews, or competitive sessions where you have to beat others. The recruitment day was a small slice of what Hyper Island really is; an unexpected and pleasant surprise, every day"
--Xavier Feliu, Spain, Digital Media student at Hyper Island

A Day in a Life of Tomorrow

2009-10-07T14:00:00.002+02:00

Hyper Island Interactive Art Director students Anna Lundqvist, Ahmed Shaker, Daniel Kullberg, Gabriella Evelina Britth, Maira Serra and Sveinung Skaalnes created a presentation with a glimpse into the future of digital advertising, just like a group of students we've blogged about before.

Click on the image below to see the group's presentation:

The team interviewed industry people at DesignWeek, Firstborn, JWT, Kessleskramer, Naked, University of Vic, W+K as well as Tomas Nihlén of Urban Lifestyle - click here to read Tomas' answers.

Congratulations Waldemar, Nathan and Robbin!

2009-10-05T14:42:00.017+02:00

Congratulations to Interactive Art Director 2010 Stockholm students Waldemar Wegelin, Nathan Ross and Robbin Ingvarsson for winning Tribal DDB and Lipton's Digital Days Creative Contest!

The three went to Paris last week to present their idea and work in front of the Tribal DDB team and Garth Woolley, the global brand manager of Lipton.

How did you end up working together?
We (Robbin & Waldemar) worked together in a previous school project. We enjoyed that, so when we got the brief from Tribal DDB and Lipton it felt natural to continue with our collaboration. Nathan joined in as the missing piece and our group was formed.

How come you submitted to the contest in the first place?
The brief arrived immediately after our second module where our very inspiring project leader Henrik (kudos!) armed us with tools for generating and developing ideas. This challenge looked like a perfect opportunity to practice and use those toy on our own. And obviously we were excited about having the chance for a trip to Paris.

What was the brief about?
It was about finding a solution that would connect Lipton Ice Tea and their message "Drink Positive" with its audience. The criteria was that it would have to be innovative; something that simply could not have been possibly five years ago.

What's your concept about?
We call it the "Smile Experiment", basically it's about bringing the Lipton Ice Tea message to life and connecting it to Lipton's target audience in a really cool way. Think emotional browsing... for the moment though we can't give away too much information because we're Tribal DDB and Lipton are looking for a way to produce our idea.

What if you win?
We did win! We went to Paris thursday morning and presented to the client, Tribal DDB and a bunch of other people visiting the Digital Days. The client loved it and we've received nothing but praise from everyone involved. Bringing our idea to life will initially mean a lot of planning and testing on behalf of Lipton and Tribal DDB. For us, this means that we not only won a competition and a piece for our portfolio – but also a chance to get our idea produced. Maybe even more trips to Paris or London, fingers crossed.

Any new learnings?
Lots! First of all about the work progress and the great value of having tools and structure for generating ideas. Secondly that don't settle for an idea before you get that special butterfly feeling in your stomach. We generated a couple of hundred ideas, lots of bad ones and about three "good enough" and in the end this one that filled our criterias of being both great and innovative. For the presentation we created a case movie. Despite of being a bit persuasive the movie also made us think ahead and plan exactly what we we're gonna say to whom. We ended up rewriting the script a couple of times and each time made the idea and our common understanding of the possibilities even greater.

Feature dreams, where would you like to end up?
Answering this questions while sipping a cappuccino next to the impressive Notre Dame, it's tempting to say Paris. But honestly, time will tell. It's not so much about a certain place in the world as about finding a nice atmosphere with values focused on creating idea driven work. Nathan is excited about Japan as a place to work, we are still spinning the globe.

Thank you Robbin, Wal and Nathan!
________________________________________________

Congratulations also to the following students whose projects made it to the final stages of the contest:
Azin Ashourvan
Gro Larsson
Lasse Korsgaard
Jone Eskilsson
Minna Johans
Magnus Karlsson
Alexander Kristensen

"Creativity brings innovation to the UK economy"

2009-10-02T13:27:00.001+02:00

Says an article by Birmingham Post.

"Universities like Birmingham City University have the opportunity to enhance skill development and focus on ambition and vocation. The recent announcement from the university, in collaboration with Advantage West Midlands, to launch Hyper Island is a welcome one. This initiative will stimulate new thinking and transfer knowledge to potential entrepreneurs of the future."

Read the entire article at Birmingham Post!

Read more about Hyper Island's Accidental Leaders Programme UK!

Mattias Hansson at Advertising Week in NYC

2009-09-29T14:11:00.021+02:00

From left: Darren McCormick, Mattias Hansson, Jeff Benjamin, Scott Belsky and moderator David Michel-Davis
Hyper Island CEO Mattias Hansson was on a panel discussing the Digital Talent and Leadership Dilemma during 2009's Advertising Week in New York City.

Together with a panel consisting of:
Darren McCormick, Digital Agency Cultural Lead, Microsoft
Jeff Benjamin, VP, Interactive Creative Director, CP+B
Scott Belsky, Founder/CEO, Behance
Mattias offered his perspective on if a change needs to happen in the way we educate the digital leaders of the future. The panelists also discussed what they are doing about it and what must be done as an industry to find and develop the thought leaders of the future.

An excerpt from Boards Magazine's capture of the discussion:
"Asked by moderator Webby Awards executive director David Michel-Davis whether there was a lack of talent, the speakers agreed the problem was not talent per se, but rather finding it.
(...)
When Michel-Davis asked where the most demand for his students came from, Hansson was quick to answer: 'The most need [for our students] is from agency networks,' said Hansson, 'but it's not where they want to go.'

Hyper Island, which does not follow a formal curriculum, encourages its students to find their own voice by taking up creative pursuits outside the school's walls, a practice that, he intimated, is not always fostered at agencies.

Hansson added that many agencies try to resolve the digital brain-drain by simply parachuting in digital talent in a bid to magically effect change. Those types of hires are frustrating turn-offs for young graduates, especially if the agency does not also devote resources to retraining existing staff."

Click here to read the rest of the Boards Magazine article!

Right now at Hyper Island

2009-09-29T13:19:00.006+02:00

Photo: Stefan Leijon, Digital Media 2011 Stockholm
The Digital Media and Interactive Art Director students in Stockholm are listening to a lecture about the zone between art, technology and biology by Lucy McRae.

Digital Media 2010 Karlskrona student's NYC video

2009-09-28T08:00:00.011+02:00

Digital Media 2010 Karlskrona student Frederico Philips is currently doing his internship at Tronic in New York City. Below is a video he's made during his time in NYC:

Web Designer interview with Digital Media 2010 Stockholm student

2009-09-25T09:00:00.004+02:00

Digital Media 2010 Stockholm student Sanna Wickman tells Web Designer Magazine about her class' promotion site 53 Colors.

Says Sanna; "To get attention by the digital media industry it just isn’t enough to shout as loud as you can, you have to have something important to say and say it in a creative way. (...) The challenge for us as students was also to find that exact tone of voice that is suited for our target audience; the industry, and to be present not only on our own site but also where the industry already is: in social media and forums that they visit every day.

The short term benefits is that the project gives all of the students a chance to be exposed and promoted in the industry, so that we more easily can get internships and get to know the industry and the people within it. The long term benefit is that we through the process learn about marketing and promotion, by actually doing it! We learn the tools of branding, strategy, and public relations, which will be useful throughout our coming careers."

Click here to read the rest of the interview!

Hyper Island graduate wins MTV VMA

2009-09-23T09:00:00.024+02:00

Hyper Island Digital Media 2008 graduate Markus Lundqvist and his colleagues at Chimney Pot just won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Special Effects for Lady Gaga "Paparazzi".

What were your first thoughts when you found out you'd won an MTV Video Music Award?
I was proud for all of us at The Chimney Pot working on the project. It was good milestone :).
Great that Chimney got some direct international attention for all the music video work we've been doing for so many years. Often the people actually making the video are forgotten in the public eye.

What was the most interesting aspect of working on the project?
The most interesting aspect of working with the video is of course the client, Lady Gaga. You know that when it leaves the house it's going to be seen by millions and there's not really room for failing.
We did the VFX, look and graphical design at Chimney but the video wouldn't be that great without excellent work from everyone else in the production.

What's it like working with Jonas Åkerlund?
Jonas is a great guy to work with and easy to talk to. He usually has quite a good idea of what he wants but we often try new things and give input on how to make things even better.
We have been working for years with him at The Chimney Pot so the trust between us is quite strong when it comes to make the film as good as possible.
Still it requires loads of hard work and all the extra time you can put into the shots. Often that means weekends and long days. We usually work until 5 minutes before deadline because all the extra bits and pieces you can push yourself to do makes the video better.

What other projects have you worked on at Chimney Pot?
I have worked with artists like Pink, Lady Gaga, Animal Kingdom, Madonna, Rammstein, Dizzee Rascal and more.
In terms of commercials the latest clients has been Alecta, Mercedes, Tele2, McDonalds, H&M, Unibet and Boxer.
Also I've done a bunch of shots for recently Swedish feature films such as Wallander & Falk.

What advice do you have for those who dream of working with VFX?
Learn everything you possibly can but don't get hung up on software.
It's not the software that will make you a good VFX artist, they are all just tools and nothing else. Still If I would point out one program you should learn it would be Nuke.
Keep yourself updated what's happening in the industry and new technology.
Get a long-term internship or a nightjob at a VFX house to be able to work on some big projects and build up a good showreel.
Don't be afraid to call companies and offer extra help.
Prepare to work long and hard :).

How has what you learned at Hyper Island helped you in your career?
To take on projects even if you don't know directly how to solve them even if it means working 24/7.
Since I'm working as VFX / Autodesk Flame artist most of my time is with a client/director in the same room and Hyper Island really improves your social and communication skills.

Click below to view some of the projects Markus has worked on:
· Lady Gaga "Paparazzi"
· Dizzee Rascal "Bonkers"
· H&M Summer 2009 Matthew Williamson
· H&M Christmas 2008 Most fashionable gifts
· Unibet Play

Thank you, Markus!