Shaun Britton

Dr. Shaun Britton is a Lecturer and Course Director of Animation in the Film, Games and Animation department at Swinburne University of Technology, School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education. He has a strong background in creative industries, having served as a senior creative at Walt Disney and Warner Bros., and as past president of Illustrators Australia. His academic work is practice-led and interdisciplinary, bridging design, digital media, and human-centred computing.

His research interests focus on Design, Screen and digital media, and Human-centred computing, with emphasis on animation, digital games, visual storytelling, and inclusive design. His pedagogical work explores belonging and wellbeing in higher education. Through his boutique design agency, Squidinc Studio, he develops creative outcomes such as graphic novels and interactive games.

His recent publications span topics from satire in digital games to communication aids for people with complex needs. The articles show a consistent trend in using design as a critical and reflective tool, often blending creative practice with academic inquiry. His work appears in venues like Design Issues (MIT Press) and SIGGRAPH, reflecting high impact in design and digital media fields.

Scientific awards include:

• Dean, International Award for Excellence in International Engagement (2020)
• Most Innovative Game Award for Snip & Chu (2014)
• Red Dot Communication Design Awards (2010)
• Premier's Design Awards (2010, 2008)
• Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Teaching Excellence (2010, 2007)

He is actively involved in research supervision, advising both PhD and Master’s students on topics such as player identity and cultural storytelling. He received a research grant for "Flipping high risk healthcare: A design-led service blueprint for surgical pathways" (2018–2019), demonstrating applied impact in healthcare design. His teaching activities emphasize work-integrated and community-engaged learning.

Beyond the classroom, Britton leads creative projects that merge academic research with public engagement, exemplified by the Snip & Chu webcomic and game. His work reflects a commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and creative excellence across academic, industrial, and public domains.