Head, Puttnam School of Film & Animation

Chris Shaw

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  • MA with Distinction (Computer Animation & Visualisation), Bournemouth University, UK
  • BA Honours (Graphic Information Design), Falmouth University, UK

Chris Shaw started his animation career in 1987 with Walt Disney Animation on the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Chris learned his craft on the job and experienced many different aspects of the animated film process across a variety of departments. In 1989, he started work in Steven Spielberg’s American Tail II in the Animation Department. After completing two animated features, he continued his career as a freelance animator on a variety of TV commercials and clients including BBC News, Paul McCartney, IBM, Reuters News Agency, Lego, Halls, Rice Krispies, Ribena, Barclays Bank and MTV.

In 1996 he was invited to Singapore to co-establish a Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Computer Animation at Singapore Polytechnic. He has since been actively involved in a wide range of productions and educational incentives, including Co-Chair of the Excellence in Education and Training Convention, external moderation, organising and judging the National Software Competition, as well as writing and producing the opening film for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Convention 2000 on education.

Chris joined LASALLE in 2007 as the Programme Leader for Animation—transforming and leading the programmes to their current success. In 2016, Chris was appointed Head of the Puttnam School of Film & Animation, which consists of Film, Broadcast Media, and Animation Programmes. He currently serves on both the Academic Quality Assurance Committee and Management Committee. Additionally, he served on the Academic Committee for the University of the Arts Singapore between 2023 and 2025.  

Chris is currently enrolled on the PhD programme at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where his research is focused on the pedagogical development of imaginative thinking, which can help encourage students to think more imaginatively. 

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Video

  • ‘Fostering Imaginative Thinking in Production Design Through AI and Emerging Technologies’, book chapter in Teaching Production Design for Film, Television, Games & Animation, published by CILECT (2025)
  • ‘Engaging Creative Media Student’s Motivation: The Influence of Autonomy, Peer Relationships and Opportunities in Industry’ in World Journal of Education, vol 8, no. 6 (2018)

Conference papers

  • ‘Imagined Soundscapes: Expanding Visual Narratives in Singaporean Animation’, Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Conference, Walailak University; Thailand (2025)
  • ‘Developing Critical Engagement in Animation: AI in Animation Education for Broader and Deeper Engagement with Social Issues’, Alan Rudge & Chris Shaw, Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Conference, Walailak University; Thailand (2025)
  • ‘Imagination & Sound: Expanding Time and Space in Singaporean Animation’, presentation at Sound and Screen Conference (CILECT), Nanyang Technological University; Singapore (2022)
  • ‘Education for the Creative Industries – A Singaporean Paradox: A Study of Pedagogical Frameworks to Develop Imaginative Thinking for Animation Students’, PhD Winter Seminar, School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2022)
  • ‘Developing Imaginative Thinking: A Qualitative Study of Animation Curricula in Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) in Singapore’. The Paris Conference on Education The International Academic Forum (IAFOR), La Maison de la Chimie; Paris, France, (2022)
  • ‘The Animation Industry in Singapore’, Tokyo Anime Award Festival (TAAF); Tokyo, Japan (2018)
  • ‘Identifying an Educational Framework to Develop Imaginative Thinking for Animation Students’, PhD Winter Seminar, School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2018)
  • ‘Blurring the Edges between Classroom & Professional Practice Using Social Media’, 5th International Conference in Teaching and Learning with Technology (iCTLT); Kobe, Japan (2016)

  • Creative imagination
  • Pedagogical development
  • AI for animation pipeline