Graduates News
Jun 2009
Interview with AIE Graduate, Wendy Langer
Jun 2009
Interview with AIE Graduate, Alex Tuckett
Jan 2009
Interview with AIE Graduates, Dominic McDonnell & Tim Kitevski
June 2008
Interview with Melbourne AIE Graduate, Tom Johnstone - Senior Programmer of GTA IV
May 2007
It was great to here recently through our Alumni of a number of students who have picked up throughout the year! Ben Driehuis (2006 Diploma of Computer Game Development) was recently in touch and let us know he is now a junior game-play programmer with Irrational Games in Canberra who have recently been working on the upcoming title Bioshock. Congratulations Ben!
Jessica Brett, 2006 Diploma of Computer Game Development and 2005 Sony Foundation Australia Scholarship winner was also recently in touch to let us know she has joined Redtribe Studios in Melbourne as a 3D Artist. Joining Jess in Melbourne is classmates Richard Stern and Nigel Weir, who have both recently joined Torus Games.
Matt French, 2006 Diploma of Screen was also recently in touch and let us know he is on his way to Queensland to work as a compositer for the film company Photon VFX! Previously Matt was with Plastic Wax in Sydney and completed cinematic work for the recently released game, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Joining Matt in QLD is 2006 Diploma of Computer Game Development graduate Ben Southall who is now with Krome Studios, Australia's largest Game Developer.
Jordie McKay, 2005 Diploma of Screen, recently dropped in and let us know he's now with Catalyst Interactive in Canberra as a 3D Artist. Catalyst develop e-learning software and custom applications for clients such as the Australian Defence Force, ALCOA Australia, Bayer Pharmecuticals and Department of Forreign Affairs and Trade.
Conrad Mercer, 2005 Diploma of Computer Game Development, has also recently picked up work and can now be found with Micro Forté. Conrad joins a host of graduates at Micro Forté, including Dayne Rathbone and Shane Trewartha from the 2006 Diploma of Computer Game Development and Shane Lech, 2003 Diploma of Screen.
January 2007 
Another year has come to a close and AIE's class of 2006 is now beginning their careers in the games, film and animation industries. News has begun to come in on students who have gained employment since finishing their studies in late November.
Congratulations to Shane Trewartha (2006 Diploma of Computer Game Development) and Dayne Rathbone (2006 Diploma of Computer Game Development) who have both been employed by Micro Forté in Canberra.
Daniel Jacobs (2006 Diploma of Computer Game Development) and Tom Rogers (2006 Diploma of Screen) have begun internships with GeoScience Australia, working on geological simulations. David Pain (2006 Diploma of Computer Game Development) joins his classmate Drew Kennewel and former AIE graduate Joel Styles at EyeCandy while Jun Lee (2006 Diploma of Screen) is now with ICNH Games in Canberra.
In news from previous years, congratulations to Kieran Ogden-Brunell (2005 Diploma of Screen) who has picked up a position with Big Ant Studios in Melbourne. Jamie Stewart (2005 Diploma of Computer Game Development) has also started with prominent UK developer, Venon Studios.
Well done to all of the students who have gained positions recently, we wish you all the best in your future careers! Don't forget to keep in touch with AIE staff and graduates through the Alumni!
October 2006
More news is filtering in on graduate movements, and if your an ex student don't forget to join the Alumni and let us know what your up to!
Congratulations to Drew Kennewell, Drew has picked up work with Eye Candy 3D as an animator here in Canberra. Drew is partway through his Diploma of Computer Game Development and will complete his studies through his workplace.
Congratulations also to Matt French, who has also picked up full time employment before finishing his studies! Matt is now with Plastic Wax in Sydney, working as a Digital Compositor. Plastic Wax are working on their own feature film (due 2007) as well as game cinematics, game assets and marketing artwork (cover art, posters, game trailers, etc). Matt will also be finishing his studies through his workplace.
It was also good to hear from Neale Murray (Diploma of Computer Game Development 2004) who was with Midway Games in Adelaide is now with Krome Studios Adelaide. It's great to see many of the former Midway staff now working for other companies such as Krome.
July 2006
News is starting to come in on many of our graduates, including Julian Harrison (2004 Diploma of Screen) who is now with Seeing Machines in Canberra. Jules is working on some exciting projects and new technology for Seeing Machines along with some casual teaching at AIE Canberra!
Congratulations to Dean Walshe (2005 Diploma of Computer Game Develoment) who we recently found out is working on some freelance architecural visualisations in Queensland. We also heard on the grapevine that Dean may be working for an unamed games company in QLD, so Dean - get in touch and let us know!
We also recently heard from Geoff Lester (Diploma of Screen 2005) who is now with IR Gurus in Melbourne as a Junior Artist. Congratulations Geoff, we hope you enjoy your time down south! In other news, Mark Doughton (Diploma of Screen 2005) recently was employed with the Australian Defence Force Naval Simulations Branch here in Canberra, well done Mark!
If your an AIE graduate don't foget to let us know whats happening through the Alumni!
October 2005
With two months to go in their courses it's great to see AIE students getting their portfolios and demo's together and out to employers!
Congratulations to Martin May, 2005 Diploma of Computer Game Development (Programming) student, who has been employed by Imaginary Numbers in Sydney. Imaginary numbers are working on a turn based strategy game, Tactica Online. Well done Martin! Martin will complete the remainder of his studies from Sydney.
Congratulations to Ben Wheatley, 2004 Diploma of Screen (Maya) student who has joined Team Bondi in Sydney. Ben will be working on some yet unnamed projects for next generation Playstation consoles. Well done Ben! Ben joins a number of former AIE graduates who are also working with Team Bondi.
In news from Melbourne, David Giles informs us that in the last four weeks AIE Melbourne has been visited by IRGurus, Firemint and Bullant Games. Over 50% of our current 2nd year students have been offered jobs. More visits are planned, with a number of staff from Torus games visiting AIE Melbourne at the start of November to talk to the students about their experiences in the frenetic world of game development.
In other news 2004 Diploma of Computer Game Development artist Neale Murray has been employed by Midway Studios (formerly Ratbag Games) and is happily working away down in Adelaide. Midway are one of the larger games developers in the world, with studios in the USA, UK, Germany and Australia and have produced some classic games, including Mortal Combat:Deception and The Suffering:Ties that Bind. Well done Neale.
Congratulations also to Andrew Finch, Diploma of Screen (3D Studio Max) graduate from 2004 who is now working for Channel Vision, a new ACT television channel available through TransACT. Andrew is not only working on animation projects for Channel Vision he is also writing, directing and producing his own documentary to be screened soon! More information on this new ACT and region channel can be found on their website, http://www.channelvision.com.au.
September 2005
Congratulations to Artur Piwko, who's short film, Birdie Wife, will be screened at the “Short:Seasons Spring 005” Short Film Festival (details below). Artur graduated from the Diploma of Screen (3D Studio Max) in 2004 and is now working with Silicon Gateway 3D in Canberra.
| When: | 9th September 2005 |
| Where: | SAS Visions Theatre, National Museum of Australia |
| Time: | 7.00 - 8.45pm |
| Cost: | Free, under 15s with an adult |
More information on the festival can be found here http://www.nma.gov.au/events/calendar/shortseasons_spring_005_restricted_18/
Congratulations to Damien Paon who is off to start work at Pandemic Studios in Queensland as a Junior Artist. Everyone here whishes Damien all the best on this exciting new stage of his career! Damien graduated from the Diploma of Screen (3D Studio Max) in 2004 and has been working as an assistant teacher at the AIE over the last few months. Pandemic Studios have recently released Destroy All Humans! for PS2 and XBOX. Damien joins Rohan White (Advanced Diploma of Multimedia - 2003) who is also currently with Pandemic.
August 2005
Paul Knight has won Atomic PC Magazine “ARTOMIC” prize for Issue #56 - Sep 05. Paul graduated from the Diploma of Screen (3D Studio Max) course is 2004 and has won himself $2000 worth of Adobe software for his entry in this monthly competition. Paul has also recently been employed with Simmersion Holdings in Canberra working on Architectural and Town Planning 3D Projects.
Congratulations to Eddie Prickett who is off to join Midway Studios (formerly Ratbag Games) as a Junior Animator. Eddie is currently studying the Diploma of Screen (3D Studio Max) and will complete his studies from Adelaide and graduate from the course at the end of the year.
In news from Melbourne, James Gale (2004 Diploma of Computer Game Development) has started work as a Junior Programmer with Firemint Game Development. James joins AIE Melbourne Graduates Jesse, Alex and Nick who started with Firemint in July. Ben Jackson, from the same class has also been employed with Bullant Studios in Melbourne. Ben joins AIE graduate Dylan Bray who has been with Bullant since early in the year.
In other news, Shane Warild, recently back from employment in the UK with Sony Team Soho is now off to Sydney as Lead Artist with Imaginary Numbers. Shane graduated from the Certificate IV in Applied Arts (Electronic Animation) way back in 2000. Imaginary Numbers are currently working on Tactica Online, a turn based strategy game. More info can be found on their website, www.imaginary-numbers.com .
Congratulations to Daniel Lamb and Matthew Cleary who are both now working for Irrational Games Canberra as Junior Programmers. Daniel and Matthew both graduated from Diploma of Computer Game Development (Programming) in 2004. Irrational Games are a leading international developer, with studios in Canberra and Boston, working on an undisclosed next generation console title. More information on Irrational can be found on their website, www.irrationalgames.com .
July 2005
Congratulations to Chris Williams, 2003 Diploma of Computer Game Development who has now joined Catalyst Interactive working on simulation training games for the Defence Forces here in Canberra. From the same class, Stephen Shultze is now with Tantalus Interactive in Melbourne, working on undisclosed titles for the upcoming Sony PSP, well done Stephen.
In more news from Melbourne, Jesse West, Alex Jack and Nick Smith, 2004 Diploma of Computer Game Development graduates have all begun work as 3D artists with Firemint Game Development who are currently working on Game Boy Advance and Mobile Phone games.
June 2005
More action from Melbourne! Congratulations to 2004 Diploma of Computer Game Development students Henrik Aselsson, Julia n Chan, Nigel Kay, Corey Neale, Glen Stuart and Peter Tse who are all working in the programming department for IR Gurus in Melbourne. IR Gurus are one of Australia's larger games companies and are working on various titles for upcoming release on PS2, XBOX and PC. More information, www.irgurus.com
May 2005
Congratulations to Paul Marsh, Diploma of Computer Game Development 2004, who is off to Sydney to begin work with Perception Studios. Perception are working on Stargate:The Alliance which is due for release later this year. Paul joins other AIE graduates also at Perception, Alfred Roettinger (2003 Advanced Diploma of Multimedia) and Chris Glerum (2003 Diploma of Computer Game Development).
Well done to Daniel Archard and Thomas Mayer, graduates of the 2004 Diploma of Computer Game Development in Melbourne. Daniel and Thomas are now working as programmers with Crystal Dynamics in the USA. Crystal Dynamics are a division of EIDOS Interactive, one of the largest games developers and publishing houses in the world. Crystal Dynamics have developed award winning games such as GEX 3, Legacy of Kain and Tom b Raider:Legend.
Are you a former graduate of the AIE? Let us know what you are up to! Contact Myles Peterson via or phone 02 6162 5131!
