Jonathan Barbara
Lectures in creative computing on the University of London Computing and IS programme
What inspired you to specialise in creative computing?
My inspiration was my grandfather, whose passionate interest in engineering, learnt off textbooks, found its outlet in building engines and model aircraft of his own design. He was also interested in photography. He invented his own single-reflex camera – which he failed to patent due to family commitments – and took binocular pictures in order to view them in 3D.
When computers became commercially and locally available, he saw the opportunity of using the technology to complement his hobbies – he used his computer to calculate the centre of gravity for a model airplane, given the measurements of several of its components.
I was the eight-year-old learning how to build such images from numbers. My inherited hobbies of photography, amateur filming and music composition found a natural extension in the use of computer algorithms.
What potential real-life applications does creative computing hold?
Whereas traditional computer and information systems address the needs of a business, creative computing addresses the needs of a person. With the proliferation of portable smart devices, people of all ages are becoming more dependent on applications that can help them in their everyday schedule. Modern companies are also incorporating personal devices as part of their work environment.
What are the potential career paths forstudents studying creative computing?
Apart from traditional career paths in software design and development, other demands of modern day businesses and society create a need for careers in information retrieval, data visualisation and sonification, computer simulation and animation, game development and, eventually, gamification of business processes.
Dunstan Briffa
Lectures in communications and computer security
What inspired you to specialise in electrical engineering and computer security?
I’ve been interested in computers since I was young. I consider myself to be very lucky to form part of the generation which was brought up in parallel to the development of computers, at least in the domestic scenario.
Over the years my interest increased and I bought and experimented with different generations of computers. The final push towards a career in computers was my fascination withrobotics. I then pursued my electrical engineering studies, focusing on computing, communications and electronics.
Once I started lecturing, I started exploring other areas of computing, especially computer security. Although many basic concepts have remained the same, one area which has changed considerably is computer security. The main reason for this is the advent of the internet, which brought with it many advantages but also increased threats and security concerns.
What potential career paths can your students embark on?
Students studying computing and information systems can opt for careers related to networking, IT administration and security. Students studying creative computing can pursue careers related to multimedia, web design, gaming or any other way of expressing one’s creativity through computing.
Apart from coursework, how important is it for students to keep up-to-date with communications and security developments?
Computing is an area where students need to keep updated constantly with the advances in the field. Keeping up-to-date is not only important from the point of view of knowledge but also for their exams. Time and again examiners comment on theimportance of students including new information in their answers.
Dylan Seychell
Lectures in data compression, algorithmic design and interaction design
What inspired you to specialise in mobile technology?
Android was released in the final years of my first degree and it was a new and exciting area to get involved in. I had then developed an Android application as part of my dissertation. It was very challenging since few resources were available in those days, but the achievement was satisfying since the area proved to be a success and is still in flux.
Mobile technology and devices have enjoyed massive growth in the past few years – has this development also increased the demand for related jobs?
Whenever there is interest in a particular technology, the demand for relative skills increases as well. The demand for alternative delivery of content on different media is still on the increase and this is why we expose our students to such technologies throughout their studies.
What potential career paths are available for your students?
An ICT specialist with such skills can contribute to the presentation of content on devices. There is also strong interest in how to deliver content on mobile devices at the lowest cost while keeping quality of content as highas possible.