Gareth Sleightholme

Gareth Sleightholme began his career as an archaeological illustrator producing historical reconstructions and finds drawings for an archaeology unit based in Beverley, Yorkshire.

From 1997 he worked in creative consultancy, illustration and concept visualisation in the heritage/leisure industries (inc Theme Park design) both on a freelance and full-time/in-house basis. Gareth worked on the design of a wide range of diverse projects across Europe, Scandinavia and the US, inc. The London and Hamburg Dungeons, The Norwich Castle Museum, SantaPark (a large themed visitor attraction in the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland), various large sea life aquariums; he has also been engaged in art direction and design for film and television as well as helping to develop and teach the new Masters Degree in Animation and Sound Design at Norwich. Following a short period of producing conceptual design work on a freelance basis, Gareth joined hpl europe ltd full time, taking on the role as Senior Creative, then Creative Director, in their design dept, a role which saw him produce concepts and design for corporate exhibition and events for amongst others, Orange, Virgin Atlantic and Blackberry over the next five and half years.

As of 2008 he lectured at Park Street School of Art and HSAD (Hull School of Art & Design) on their Games Design & Animation BA Hons programmes, plus other arts programs while pursuing his post MA research into the links between Deep Reading, Empathy and Creativity, following completion of his Masters Degree (merit) in Design looking at The Visualisation of Educational Concepts within Art Schools. He also worked on the EU funded RAGE games technology research project, working with a number of European educational faculties and tech developers.