My name is Rufus Butcher, and I’m a 17‑year‑old male currently studying a Level 3 Extended Diploma course in Digital Game Design and Development at HSDC Alton College. This two‑year course appealed to me because of its creative freedom and its accessibility to the entry level skills of a high‑end developer. It's made for everyone including me.
I mainly specialise in creating immersive 3D characters and other assets, with a career focus on digital artistry. I can provide companies with visually captivating and realistic 3D models through strong knowledge of industry‑standard software and an understanding of lighting, texture, and spatial design. I enjoy pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation in 3D art and animation.
Before coming to Alton College, I was educated at More House School. During my time there, a friend and I volunteered to start up and run a food bank scheme at the school. We spoke with our headmaster and teachers about our ideas and presented them during a school leadership meeting, where we discussed the possibilities and benefits of creating a food bank. We then contacted the local food bank team to share information and coordinate support. After this, over a two year period, we collected and safely delivered the weekly donations . As students, we were in the right moment to have our voices heard and show why a food bank would be such a valuable addition to our school, supporting our community and helping those in need. This work formed part of my Duke of Edinburgh Award and contributed toward earning my Bronze and Silver Awards. I’m proud to say that after we handed over responsibility to our peers, the food bank, has continued to thrive, and is a regular mainstay of the school's involvement with the local community.
As a student studying drama as one of my option subjects, I was given an amazing opportunity to travel to the Edinburgh Fringe and perform in an original work, a rock‑and‑roll‑style production called Rockbeth—a modern, musical twist on the classic Scottish play Macbeth. Our group performed it at the Fringe as part of a very well received week long residency, showcasing our work to the festival’s large and diverse audience. This was a greatly enjoyable achievement for me and everyone involved, as we all had an incredible time and were even invited back the following year to perform again, this time in a disco inspired version of Twelfth Night!
During my time at More House, I took up and played the trombone, performing in school bands and at local events, I was even lucky enough to play in a New York Jazz club , while on a school trip to the city.
I created and ran a successful food bank at my secondary school, taking on responsibilities such as planning how it would run, speaking with staff and local partners, organising donation collections, and helping ensure items were delivered safely and respectfully to the people who needed them.
Duke of Edinburgh Award a combined my Bronze and Silver Awards.
Setting up a successful food bank and my secondary school.