Ernest Adams: Freelance Game Designer, Author, Teacher, - working with the International Hobo Design Group.
Will Byles: Art Director, EA (Electronic Arts)
Jonathan Clements: Director, Muramasa Industries Ltd.
Dayne Cowan: Co-Head of 3D, Double Negative
Matt Estela: Co-Director, House of Curves
Ed Hooks: Managing Director, Acting for Animators
Jason Jenner: Training Manager, Escape Studios
Mark Johnson: Creative Director, Sequence
Mark Laiman: - Senior Artist, Gameworld Seven Ltd
Dr. Karl MacDorman: - Associate Professor of Informatics, School of Informatics, Indiana University
Shelley Page: Head of International Outreach, DreamWorks Animation

Andy Payne: VP, NaturalMotion Ltd
Louise Ridgeway: Animation Supervisor, Rare
Apurva Shah: Effects Supervisor, Pixar Animation Studios
Neil Thompson: Studio Art Director Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Jolyon Webb: Art Manager, Blitz Games

Luis Cook (L/H) & Bram Tweatham © Swansea Metropolitan University, 2008

"What impresses me most about SAND is the calibre of the speakers that it attracts. I've been to events in London that didn't offer as many world-class visionaries as SAND has routinely. I learn something new every time I go, and I'm already looking forward to SAND 2009. "

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"Thanks again for organising yet another SAND this year.

As always they are one of the highlights of the animation year and so well organised.

It is always a pleasure coming down to Swansea to speak and meet such a diverse group of people. Where else would you have such a mix as Ed Hooks and Dr Karl MacDorman on the same day? Brilliant!

Please include me again next year if possible. "

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"It always amazes me how many different angles SAND has on animation.

Over the last few years, I've seen the medium approached through special effects, through acting, through medical means, and from a lawyer's perspective. I've heard lectures not only on how to make animation, but also how to sell it, how to screen it, and how to broadcast it.

So it's no surprise that SAND ask me to do some weird things -- over the years at SAND, I've spoken about WW2 propaganda animation, the history of digital processes in Japan, and even the British newspaper campaign against Japanese "video nasties". And this year, of course, I got to do erotica. Strange how the auditorium filled up for that one..."

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"Double Negative rarely misses an opportunity to attend this conference, which always brings together some of the most amazing talent from both the UK and international arenas. The quality of the organisation consistently ensures that the event runs smoothly and you are always guaranteed a warm welcome. We will be back!"

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"SAND is unique in offering to the starved UK graphics conference scene a wide range of talks and workshops, run by speakers from all over the globe. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at SAND 2007, and look forward to returning next year! "

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"SAND has earned a permanent spot in the small galaxy of important, significant, animation conferences. Indeed, the perspective of SAND's program makes it uniquely important. So many animation conferences revolve solely around the Hollywood idea of big feature production. SAND's organizers, to their credit, are looking at animation and its uses in a broader context, and I think it is essential that this forum be continued.

Certainly, every time I attend SAND, I learn new things and meet exciting, cutting-edge leaders in the industry. I am honoured and delighted to be a part of it all."

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" Escape Studios regard SAND as an essential event in the UK calendar. The calibre of the presenters is always first class, interesting and varied.

SAND offers an ideal environment for academics and professionals across the creative industries to present and network, as well as providing the perfect bridge between academia and industry.

The event is superbly organised with a warm and friendly atmosphere and we look forward to participating in 2008."

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"SAND is an important part of the creative calendar with a wide range of world leading speakers who never fail to inform and inspire. SAND is a fantastic showcase for world leading talent across numerous creative fields and there is no other event in the UK that manages to attract so many leading talents to talk and share insight and knowledge. I have personally felt very honoured to be asked to contribute to SAND over the past couple of years and our team always make an effort to attend both SAND and the satellite Ampersand events that run throughout the year.

So, it's a great event and unmissable date in the calendar. We have made numerous contacts both academic and professional and many of those contacts have developed into full working relationships that have a direct benefit to our business and the wider creative industries. "

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"Being both an alumnus of SIHE and working in the games industry I have wanted to go to SAND for many years. This year I finally made it to SAND as a speaker. I found it to be a really rewarding and useful experience.

I met loads of people both in industry and in academic circles. The talks and workshops were informative and inspiring; they should really help students focus their efforts on what industry wants from them - making them better graduates and more employable."

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"First of all, I want to say that I had a fantastic time at SAND 2007. It provided me the opportunity to meet a number of key players in computer animation and computer games, including Lee Sheldon, whom I did not even know was at my institution, Indiana University. As you may know, I attended Ed Hooks Acting for Animators class on the first day, which was a great learning experience for me.

I very much enjoyed talking to the next generation of animators at SAND 2007 about my research on the uncanny valley. It was also a pleasure to interact with other researchers in this area, for example, Thierry Chaminade, who approaches the topic from the standpoint of cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging. I also benefited from developing industrial contacts. By bringing together researchers and professionals from different disciplines and backgrounds, SAND supports progress in both the art and science of computer animation and computer games.
Computer games can change the way we think, just like literacy and numeracy have. For example, the learning curve for performing surgery by robot is cut in half for surgeons with computer game experience. I think it is very useful to have an event that brings together those who are interested in the basic science of human perception and in developing design principles for improving the realism of animation.

I really enjoyed my experience at SAND 2007, and I think it is a great opportunity to mentor future animators and game designers.

Finally, I would like to commend my hosts at SANDS 2007, who were extremely gracious. "

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"SAND is a remarkable event - the importance of the opportunity this excellent conference provides for both students and local companies to hear directly from leading representatives of so many sectors of the games, animation and visual effects cannot be overstated.

The fact that the speakers at SAND every year are among the leaders of their particular sector reflects the high esteem this event is held in - and it is greatly to the credit of the organisers that such a high calibre of presenter has been maintained over the years of SAND's existence.

I try to attend SAND every year as I know I will always be both informed and entertained by the speakers - and the other attendees!

I am involved with many leading international events and conferences of this nature - and in most cases the presence of such an event has a major influence on the development and growth of local business in the same sector - as well as promoting awareness of graduate work from the host institution."

"I have always had great pleasure being associated with SAND. It is encouraging witnessing the development of such an event which keeps to a simple formula of people, ideas, and sharing. Like any successful events you come away with something new each time.

SAND is the place to meet new people (and catch up with the old), understand the latest creative process and discuss techniques. I will return."

"This was my first visit to SAND and I'm sorry I haven't had the opportunity to attend before.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience, with a high standard of presentations that were both interesting and informative. The staff where friendly and professional and I look forward to the next SAND event."

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"SAND is a truly community oriented conference that brings together artists, technicians and filmmakers from around the world to Swansea for a week of presentations, workshops, discussions and screenings.

The topics and speakers at the conference cover a broad spectrum of interests that collectively represent the state of the art for animation and gaming. In that sense it really puts Swansea on the international map and provides the students, local studios and artists a great opportunity to engage with professionals from around the world."

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"Just a note to thank you again for inviting me to present at the event this year. I had a blast and I hope that the audience enjoyed the session as much as I did.

I also just wanted to thank you for the wonderful care you took of both me and the other speakers: I can't recall attending such a well organised event; the civic reception was quite something and last night's meal highlighted the wonderfully creative and interesting talent that took part.

Thanks again for an inspiring and stimulating experience!"

"SAND continues to provide a unique meeting place for industry, academia and education to showcase and exchange ideas. This mixing together of multiple disciplines and interests is the key to SAND's success and is why Blitz Games is committed to our continual support of SAND's work."

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