Stephen Carolan, pictured in the new APP Development suite
THE council is to create a mobile phone application that will allow people to view the Enniskillen Castle and its alterations over the last four centuries in the palm of their hand.
This ‘app’ is just one of a number of projects that the very busy IMAGE centre at the South West College has been undertaking since its inception close to two months ago.
The creative technologies centre, which has been in operation since the beginning of the academic year, has been liaising with council officials, as well as local businesses and schools to use the new technology, much of which is new to Fermanagh.
Of the council-commissioned app, a council spokesperson said:
“Fermanagh District Council and Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism are taking a digital approach to looking at digital tourism with County Fermanagh, including the possibility of mobile phone applications.”
Emmet McFadden, co-ordinator of the IMAGE centre, said that while it is in the early stages of development, a basic synopsis is that the ‘app will allow visitors to view the castle and its various alterations through four centuries through their iPhone’.
The centre has also been approached by a variety of local businesses, and schools as members of the community look to get involved.
Media lecturer at the college, Paul McGovern, has been encouraged by the excitement the centre has garnered in such a short space of time. “There have been people who have been looking for apps, people looking for animated content, motion capture,” he said.
“We always thought that it would be successful, but nobody really expected it to take off just as quick as it did.”
He went on: “We think it’s important that we provide students with that privilege. The space has been utilised quite significantly for curriculum. We’re now incorporating IMAGE, and providing students with what I believe are unique learning experiences.
“They can use industry standard software, and the feedback from them has been very positive.
“We’re also starting a game development course in the evenings.
“That will involve game design, level design, art. How to light, how to texture, how to develop a story around the game.
“The platform that they decide to aim for could be a very simple iPhone game, or they may want to start the ball rolling for something more complex.
“It’s employable, it’s a relevant skill,” he added.
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