Meet The Team
Carol Allison
Programme Leader in Animaton & Illustration
Carol's background is one of as a general graphic designer which led to a speciality in advertising and copywriting. Years in the industry as a packaging and promotion designer have seen her work for clients such as British Airways, Barclays and The Guild of Master Craftsmen.
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She knows what the creative industries are looking for in emerging designers and equips our students with the skills they need to ensure they secure the right job upon graduation.
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In her spare time Carol is a keen fiction writer and has been published in several national magazines.
Ben Thompson
Lecturer in Animaton & Illustration
Having achieved a first-class honours degree in Illustration with Animation (MMU), Ben completed an MA in Animation at the Royal College of Art, specialising in experimental filmmaking and animation as performance. His works in collage and film/video have been displayed around the world at festivals, exhibitions, in publications and on TV.
Ben has also collaborated with a number of institutions to deliver workshops, events and lectures, including at the National Institute of Design, the British Museum, the RCA and Frieze Art Fair. He joined the Animation and Illustration team in 2016. Ben has a french Bull Dog named Mouse.
Jack Newbert
Lecturer in Animaton & Illustration
Jack has worked as a Freelance Illustrator and Concept Artist, taking on a wide range of work for well-respected companies in the creative and entertainment industry, from comic book cover art to murals, logo design, concept art, illustrations for publications, and video game character development.
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I’m also known for being a big kid at heart. Anything nerdy and nostalgic, I love it: Power Rangers, Pokémon, Thundercats, Transformers, Bucky O’Hare…I’m obsessed with Star Wars, and over the years have spent far too much money on the franchise (but don’t tell my Mrs).
Mel Neesom
Lecturer in Illustration
After graduating from MMU Mel worked as a freelance Illustrator for Random House, Opera North and Oxford University Press. She moved to Tokyo working as a Fine Artist/Illustrator, Art promoter and Performance Artist. During this period she was a regular contributor to the Tokyo Journal and produced work for Japan Airlines, Sparks Production Gallery and Design Agency.
She has an MA from MMU where she also taught on the Illustration with Animation course. She was an Animation tutor at Staffordshire University and Course Leader for Illustration at Hull School of Art and Design. Mel likes guinea pigs, vintage dresses and Luke Evans
Jon Doyle
Lecturer in Animaton
Jon teaches on the animation side of the programme. He has extensive experience of the animation industry having been Senior Producer for Cosgrove Hall Films and Creative Director at Impossible Kids and Laughing Gravy Media. He is the producer of multiple series including 2 BAFTA winning and 4 BAFTA nominated shows. Skilled in animation concept creation, production, writing and comedy .
He describes himself as a hairless giggler, doodler, clothed nudist, lecturer and, perhaps, most importantly the owner of a hen.
Sam Williams
Lecturer in Animation & Illustration / Graphic Design
Sam works across both the Graphic Design and Animation and Illustration programme. She is a design practitioner with an interest in the theoretical underpinning of practice and teaches the contextual modules across both programmes. She studied Law at Oxford University before returning to study Graphic Design after leaving the Legal Profession.
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She has a keen interest in the designer as maker, exhibiting her own work and a range of work from graphic design and illustration students at print fairs across the northwest. In her spare time, Sam helps manage and run a rehabilitation sanctuary for wild animals.