Realize your future with TMU Graduate Studies
![Gavin Ball, Master of Digital Media alumnus](/content/dam/graduate/images/ball-gavin-310.jpg)
Passion for animation
Gavin Ball
Master of Digital Media (MDM) alumnus
At TMU, graduate students don't have to choose between becoming an academic or an industry leader.
After working in the animation industry, Gavin Ball became a professor at Ontario Tech University and founded his own creative consulting studio, Full Circle CS, which is currently developing Gladiotron, an interactive 3D webcomic and game.
Why did you start Full Circle CS?
I wanted to make media with a positive message that reflects my values. I’m fortunate to work with a collective of passionate artists committed to developing and producing the best games, stories and art that we can.
What motivates your work?
Growing up, I was often discouraged when people didn’t believe in me. Eventually, however, I realized I could do anything I wanted if I applied myself. It’s something I wish I had known earlier and want to share that with the next generation, particularly those in underserved communities.
How has the TMU Transmedia Zone supported your efforts?
Being accepted into the Transmedia Zone to develop Gladiotron has been a massive blessing. I’ve really benefited from the mentorship, community and workspace. Being in that environment has challenged me to be more innovative.
How did your TMU graduate education prepare you for your career?
It was an eye-opening experience that made me think differently about digital media. [TMU] opens your mind to think about what is possible, to think entrepreneurially and help solve the problems of tomorrow.
What advice do you have for graduate students?
Since the MDM program is only a year long, it’s best to have an idea before you come in and know what your goals are. It’s what you make of it, so get involved in as many opportunities as you can while you’re here.
Photo: Ian Patterson
“[TMU] opens your mind to think about what is possible, to think entrepreneurially and help solve the problems of tomorrow.”
MDM alumnus Gavin Ball founded his own creative consulting studio, Full Circle CS, which is currently developing Gladiotron, an interactive 3D webcomic and game.
![South Asian man with long black hair, glasses and orange vest with embroidered flowers standing with arms crossed in front of steel Ring sculpture on TMU campus](/content/dam/graduate/future-students/our-people/cyrus-sundar-singh-ring-310.jpg)
‘The journey continues to be amazing’
Cyrus Sundar Singh, Communication and Culture PhD student and Documentary Media MFA alumnus
![Kittie Pang, MHA(CC) student](/content/dam/graduate/images/pang-kittie-310.jpg)
Shaping the future of health care
Kittie Pang, Master of Health Administration (Community Care) student
![TMU graduate alumna Jenny Duffy](/content/dam/graduate/images/2019/duffy_jenny_310.jpg)
A new look at the world’s oldest profession
Jenny Duffy, master’s alumna, Philosophy & Public Policy and Administration
![Graduate student and Trudeau Scholar Nathaniel Brunt](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/brunt_nathaniel_310.jpg)
Making black-and-white more grey
Nathaniel Brunt, Communication and Culture PhD student and Trudeau Scholar
![Three graduate students wearing hard hats on construction site](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/building_science_310.jpg)
Supporting women through building science
Building Science master's students
![Graduate student with drone at the Ontario Science Centre](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/hanna_dalia_310.jpg)
Using drones to locate people with dementia
Dalia Hanna, Computer Science PhD student
![Grad student with building models and blueprints](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/ferguson_matthew_310.jpg)
Building sustainability into architecture
Matthew Ferguson, Architecture master's student
![Ella Dubinsky, Psychology MA student, holding guitar](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/grant_david_310.jpg)
Flipping the script on Black men's pain
David Grant, Master of Social Work alumnus
![Female grad student standing in front of Queen's Park](/content/dam/graduate/images/2017/illesinghe_vathsala_310.jpg)
Standing up for immigrant women
Vathsala Illesinghe, Policy Studies PhD student
![Graduate alumna Adrienne Smith](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/smith_adrienne_310.jpg)
Giving refugees a second chance
Adrienne Smith, Immigration and Settlement Studies MA alumna
![MBA-MTI alumnus Mauricio Meza demonstrates Tecla-e to user Neil Mercer](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/mauricio_meza_310.jpg)
Opening possibilities with inclusive tech
Mauricio Meza, MBA-MTI alumnus
![Kate McKenzie and male marathon contestant running on road in Afghanistan](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/mckenzie_kate_310.jpg)
Secret marathon meets social change
Kate McKenzie, Master of Digital Media alumna
![Jake Pyne, Master of Social Work, sitting on couch](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/pyne_jake_310.jpg)
Transgender research meets transformed lives
Jake Pyne, Master of Social Work
![Steve Naraine holding cannabis plant](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/naraine_310.jpg)
Cannabis research meets new potential
Steve Naraine, Molecular Science MSc
![Noura Sakkijha, Ted Rogers MBA](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/sakkijha_noura_310.jpg)
Jewelry business meets digital disruption
Noura Sakkijha, Ted Rogers MBA
![Dr. Colin Robert Phillips in his office using a computer Dr. Colin Robert Phillips in his office using a computer](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/robert_phillips_310.jpg)
City issues meet the big picture
Dr. Colin Robert Phillips, Policy Studies PhD
![Dr. Michael Kolios and graduate student in hospital imaging lab](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/kolios_choose_mdb_20151111_159896_310.jpg)
Cancer research meets better patient care
Dr. Michael Kolios, Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, Faculty of Science
![Jacky Au Duong with fellow graduate student in classroom](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/jacky_choose_ryerson_310.jpg)
Professional passion meets real-world opportunities
Jacky Au Duong, Master of Professional Communication
![Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul in engineering lab](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/amira_supervisors_310.jpg)
Inspirational faculty meets innovative research
Dr. Amira Abdelrasoul, Chemical Engineering PhD
![Maayan Ziv in a hallway in RCC](/content/dam/graduate/images/Ryerson-university-graduate-maayan-ziv.jpg)
Entrepreneurship meets accessibility
Maayan Ziv, Master of Digital Media alumna
![Adedoyin Adesemowo at Toronto Beaches boardwalk](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/adesemowo_adedoyin_310.jpg)
Life-changing experience meets long-term success
Adedoyin Adesemowo, MBA-MTI
![Réal Carrière talking with professor in TMU Quad](/content/dam/graduate/images/choose_ryerson/carriere_real_310.jpg)
Ancient traditions meet empowered youth
Dr. Réal Carrière, Policy Studies PhD