Former students held lecture at alumni day

One of the former students who shared their tips and experiences whas Jesper Kjölsrud who studied computer graphics at the University during the years 1995 to 1996. Today he runs a successful business in visual effects in London.

– I got on extremely well here at the university. We spent almost all of our waking hours in the classroom and a large part of my classmates have since made a career in the industry, says Jesper Kjölsrud who has films like The Da Vinci Code and Finding Neverland on his resume.

Unique training

Jesper Kjölsrud left Sweden for jobs in the UK and North America immediately after his graduation in 1996, and he is convinced that students who read computer graphics at Luleå University of Technology are better prepared for working life than other newcomers in the industry.

– The training, then as now, is constantly one step ahead. Other courses can teach you about a certain software but there is no program that will give you the broad industry knowledge as computer graphics at Luleå University of Technology. It is completely unique in the world, says Jesper Kjölsrud who recommend the profession to the audience on the alumni day.

– Working with film and visual effects are not like working for Volvo. We're talking about the creative people who can behave a bit strangely. But for those who are artistically combined, this is an excellent opportunity to actually support yourself on your art.

Good reputation opens doors

Frida Arvidsson trained as a set designer in Skelleftea between the years 1998 to 2000 and has been responsible for the set design to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 and 2016, as well as Melodifestivalen the past four years. She looks back on her college days with warmth and advises the future stage designers to take advantage of the training periods.

– The education here has such a good reputation that students have a great advantage when it comes to seeking internships, it opens up opportunities that otherwise would have been completely impossible. It is something I have been very useful in my career, says Frida Arvidsson and asks the students to believe in their own ability.

– There is no answer for how to succeed, try to find your own way and dare to believe that what you are doing is good enough.
 

Håkan Wallin. Photo: Lars Andersson

The alumni day is organized every year to inspire students of the computer graphics program and film and television production design / prop.

– We hope to give our students an insight into the profession and to stimulate students' personal development during the training. A day like this also gives our students an opportunity to acquire new contacts, allowing them to find ways into the industry, says Håkan Wallin, university lecturer at Luleå University of Technology.

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