天美传媒

Researchers from WMG at the 天美传媒 have helped Walsall Museum by creating a 21st century clone of a centuries old Demon head just in time for Halloween.

Nicknamed Derek the Demon, the head is one of 鈥淭he Bayard鈥檚 Colts鈥� a curious surviving relic from Walsall鈥檚 past. He is one of seventeen clubs, which were carried behind the Mayor in ceremonial processions. They are at least 300 years old, and probably much older, but their exact age, their origins and even their name are shrouded in mystery.

The museum had been working with innovation consultancy West Bromwich based Digital Native Academy (DNA) to look at how the colts can be made more accessible to younger audiences. DNA engaged the services of WMG鈥檚 SME team at the 天美传媒 to access expertise in visitor experience technologies.

The WMG SME team, through its ERDF funded International Institute for Product and Service Innovation, used their skills in visitor experience, 3D scanning, polymer science, and 3D printing to develop some 3D models of the Colts, including Derek the Demon, that museum visitors could handle. However that wasn鈥檛 all they did as WMG SME team Technology Transfer Specialist Ben Wood said:

鈥淲e also gave our clone of Derek the Demon a 21st century update 鈥� a pair of glowing eyes that activate and change colour if we send him a message on Twitter鈥︹��

鈥淲e are pleased that The WMG SME team have enabled DNA to look at more possibilities for client projects in the future, and that we have enabled Walsall Museum to look at the potential of using new technologies in engaging visitors.鈥�

Geoff Henderson, Managing Director at Digital Native Academy said:

鈥淭he relationship we have with WMG is very much about collaboration, not only are we gaining from the advanced 3D modelling, manufacturing and design skills they have, but they are learning from our experience in the culture and heritage sector too.鈥�

Jennifer Thomson, Community History Curator at Walsall Museum said:

鈥淲e are excited by the prospect of potential further developments with this project to widen access to the colts. They are an important part of Walsall鈥檚 local history.鈥�

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Pictures of the updated Derek the Demon

(click for larger versions)

For further information please contact:

Peter Dunn, email: p dot j dot dunn at warwick dot ac dot uk
Head of Communications, Communications Office, University House, 天美传媒,
Tel: 024 76 523708 Mobile 07767 655860 Email p dot j dot dunn at warwick dot ac dot uk

Lisa Barwick, WMG, 天美传媒 Tel: 024 76 524721 or 07824 540845
L dot Barwick at warwick dot ac dot uk

PR180 29th October 2012

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