Building Worlds and Building Community: Annie Cunnington’s Journey at MDS

A Creative Path into Game Art

Annie’s passion for games has always been about more than playing - it’s about understanding how worlds are made and bringing them to life through art. That curiosity led her to MDS, where she began the Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art).

The process of making video games drew me to MDS,” Annie explains. “I love the challenge of animation - bringing characters to life through movement and storytelling.”

Even in her first semester, Annie faced unexpected challenges, including an injury outside of class. But she describes those early experiences as formative: “It was humbling, but it also gave me resilience. Every semester has its challenges, but there’s always something exciting to discover.”

Growing Bravery Through Creativity

Since starting her degree, Annie says she has become “more brave” in exploring new tools and approaches. She’s experimented with software like ZBrush and 3ds Max, and she’s particularly passionate about animation - both 2D and 3D.

“I enjoy making visuals more memorable by adding movement, and applying the 12 principles of animation,” she says. “Finding a workflow that works for me, finishing a team project, and seeing the final result gives me a moment of pride. I can look at it and say, ‘I helped make that game. That was me.’”

For Annie, being neurodiverse shapes her creativity in practical ways: she takes on projects step by step, starting early to reduce stress and give herself time to problem-solve. “It saves me from panic at 2am,” she laughs. “The more flexibility you give yourself, the more wiggle room you have to solve problems.”

Community Beyond the Classroom

Outside her studies, Annie leads the Tabletop Club, a student group dedicated to collaborative storytelling through games like Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing systems.

Inspired by the previous club leader, Annie took on the role to keep that spirit alive. “It gives people a chance to take a study break, play games, and connect with others,” she explains. “Storytelling is at the heart of tabletop games - it helps you practise creativity and teamwork in a fun way.”

For Annie, the club is also about inclusivity. “I’ve seen it make a difference for students who might not feel represented elsewhere. It creates lifelong connections, both on campus and online. An inclusive space is one where people enjoy themselves, nobody gets hurt, and everyone feels they belong.”

Support and Success

Annie credits her progress to the support she’s received - from lecturers offering constructive feedback, to counsellors checking in, to encouragement from friends and family. She recalls her partner once suggesting a small detail that transformed a 3D prop she was working on. “He was right,” she laughs. “Those little pieces of feedback can make a big difference.”

Through both study and her leadership role, Annie has also developed personal strengths. She’s learned the value of planning, time management, and teamwork, and has grown into a confident organiser. “Running the club has helped me build leadership skills - ensuring things run smoothly even when the games themselves are chaotic,” she says.

Looking Ahead

As Annie enters the final stretch of her degree, she’s thinking about the future. Her goal is to become an animator, in either 2D or 3D, across film or games. With hands-on experience from her studies and projects, she feels prepared for a flexible creative career.

Her advice to other neurodiverse or disabled students considering MDS? 

Don’t be afraid of challenges. Studying gives you the chance to build good habits that will benefit you in the future. Prepare to succeed and fail and succeed again - until you make it.”

For Annie, success is simple but powerful: finishing a project, being proud of it, and being able to say, “I made that.”

Find out more about Neurodiversity and Disability Support at MDS