Students create a new digital tribute to YMCA
Film documents history of Christian organisation
Talented young people have created a digital art display to honour one of Paisley’s most we l l - k n o w n Christian organisations.
Pupils from West College Scotland (WCS) have created a digital tribute to the YMCA, as the charity marks its 185th year in the town.
Paul McGowan, 21, and John Campbell, 18, are the pupils behind the eight minute long film, which documents the history of the YMCA, along with some of the other iconic buildings and landmarks in the area.
The young men, who recently completed their third and final year on the graphic design with animation course at WCS, first started the project back in Febraury, when YMCA youth and project manager Claire McGinley approached their class with a brief.
Her challenge was for them to create a timeline image board with information on the YMCA, and of all the submissions, Paul’s design won.
The artwork display was launched on Friday.
On seeing the final result, Paul, who stays in Barrhead said: “It’s satisfying to see the display up and running smoothly. I’m very proud of the work.
“It’s an honour to have been chosen and it’s been a great opportunity to work with a client on my first professional project.
“Everyone is so lovely at the YMCA and it’s been great to create this display for locals to see, as its such an important organisation and a special part of Paisley.”
The WCS YMCA digital art project was funded by the Lottery Celebrate Fund, a grant given for groups to hold events which celebrate their local community.
The film, which took several months to complete, is a nod to the positive work that the organisation has done in nearly 200 years.
John, from Erskine, who worked on the display with Paul said: “The idea was to bring Paisley’s past and present together.
“We collected images of memorable and iconic landmarks and sketched them out to give the video a sketch book effect, and we added duct tape to the edge of the images to make it look like an old historic scrapbook.
“It has a real feeling of history and heritage to it which is what we wanted to celebrate.”
The digital art will be displayed on plasma TV screens in the windows of the high street building for the next coming months, giving passers- by the opportunity to appreciate the talented work. Project organsier Claire said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Paul and John, they are such a positive example of the great things young people are achieving for our community.
“They are friendly and professional and a credit to West College Scotland.
“All of us at Paisley YMCA have really enjoyed working with them, we are sure they will go on to have great success.”