WXG SIX — Meet the speakers (№3)
So far we have covered all the D’s with data, development and dashboards. Now it’s time to dip our toes into the world of Virtual Reality.
Have you been on the Derren Brown Ghost Train at Thorpe Park? Galactica at Alton Towers or visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Orlando Resort? If you have, then you have aleady been exposed to the immersive virtual reality capabilities of Figment Productions.
As a fellow member of the creative technology hub that is Guildford, let me introduce you to the Founder and CEO of Figment Productions, Simon Reveley.
Talk Title
Immersive Technology. What Is It And Why Should You Care?
Talk overview
The English language is often a victim of abuse. Words like ‘zeitgeist’, ‘ideation’ and ‘immersion’, despite being completely valid entries in the Oxford English Dictionary, can make your skin crawl. Why? Because you find yourself asking whether a group of bearded types from east London have requisitioned them for a dastardly purpose. Like trying to overcomplicate simple concepts in the name of self-aggrandisement and, ultimately, profit. ‘Immersive’ has become one of these disturbing new buzzwords. Whilst the category of immersive technologies is broad, the recent rebirth of virtual reality and the imminent explosion of augmented reality have catapulted it to front and centre of the digital zeitgeist (ahem). It’s probably about time we deconstructed this nonsense and figured out what the hell it’s all about and how we can make a living from it.
1) What do you think attendees will get out of your talk?
A simplification of what immersive technologies are all about and how they are relevant to brands and enterprises, as well industries like retail, entertainment and education.
2) How did you get into your field?
I started at film school then got a job as a cameraman and video editor for a live events company. However, leaving home for that first job divested me of my entire social network. Cold, lonely, hungry and friendless in a new town, I turned to every geeks best friend: a computer. I upgraded my coding skills and learned all about the emerging world of computer animation — not the easiest thing to do when your main operating system is MS-DOS. Spring forward a few years and in a post-911 era (only the live events people will remember that 911 almost destroyed that industry) I started a small interactive design company. Once we’d delivered our first project to a visitor attraction I was smitten with the idea of entertaining the general public. So, in 2009, I founded Figment Productions and over the past few years we’ve delivered 125 digital interactive and audio-visual projects to visitor attractions around the world. That’s as well as helping large corporations to deliver marketing communications, training and more recently, VR and AR tools.
3) What advice would you give to someone new to the industry?
Learn as much as you can about everything you enjoy. It’s easier to learn about things when you enjoy them. Also, the things you’re really good at aren’t always the things you thought you were good at. Get as much experience as you can. Think very carefully before you say no to a new opportunity. Never underestimate the power of being proactive. If you’re looking for new work, knock on doors, pick up the phone and never be afraid to approach people. They tend to be impressed that you’ve been proactive and had the confidence and balls to have a go. I want people like that working for me and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Besides, anything to save on recruitment fees!
4) What do you think is going to be the big “Thing” this year within the technology sector?
I think Augmented Reality will be this years’ thing, especially if Apple finally show their hand and release some form of smart glasses or headset. Also, Magic Leap may finally deliver on the billions of dollars of promises they’ve made and actually release a product.
5) Who inspires you?
On a professional level, it’s probably the technology itself and the science behind it. When you understand the complexity under the hood of a simple circuit board and extrapolate that out to the crazy toys we get to play with today, like smartphones, tablets and VR headsets, it makes you feel like your head’s about to explode. Human achievement in the world of technology is utterly astounding. Nothing should work. It’s just mind-boggling. The fact that it does all work (most of the time) and that we get to play with this stuff is the truly inspiring bit.
We still have six more speaker to tell you about and if you missed any of the previous “Meet the speakers” you can read them here.
On a final note, have you bought your tickets yet? If not, get them whilst they are still available. We only have a handful of 3-4-2 tickets left so if you want to grab a bargain click here now!
