Tim is a dynamic creative technologist with a passion for merging technology and art to craft innovative digital experiences. With a robust background in computer science and design, Tim is known for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in interactive media.
Throughout his career, Tim has spearheaded numerous high-impact projects, collaborating with top-tier brands and creative teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions. His expertise spans across physical computing (Arduino and other microcontrollers), iOS development, artificial intelligence (AI), and immersive installations, creating transformative experiences that captivate and engage audiences.
Recognized for two Cannes Lions, Tim combines technical proficiency with a deep understanding of user experience (UX) design, ensuring that each project not only showcases technological innovation but also meets the highest standards of usability and aesthetics.
CONCEPT
ANIMATION
Great Scottish Run
Animation and System Integration: Tim Shepherd
During creative development, we discovered that participants received RFID-enabled running chips, but their full potential remained untapped. We also realized that runners hit a psychological wall near the finish but could push through with support from loved ones.
Our idea was simple: use this technology to deliver messages of encouragement. Two weeks before the race, we launched the Bank of Scotland Great Wall of Support, allowing people to submit messages via a dedicated website, synced to runners’ RFID chips.
On race day, a 100m² digital screen displayed these messages as runners crossed a sensor one kilometre from the finish.
In just 11 days: The campaign site received 23,609 unique views. 56% of unique page views converted into messages. 13,237 messages were sent to 5,987 runners—one in four participants. Seven promoted posts generated 16,343 interactions.
CONCEPT
DEVELOPMENT
Donation Icons
The world’s smallest and smartest advertising space.
Donation Icons is a completely new charitable media space. The world-first technology is installed through an application for OSX and Windows. Once installed, your desktop and folder icons turn into media spaces for global brands to advertise in. Brands pay to use that space and every penny goes to Oxfam. You donate the space, brands donate the money.
The smart icons update throughout the day, showing time-dependent messages, ads targeted to country or area, even limited-time offers. These ads can be direct-response – and through a tab in their taskbar – users can view offers, see how much they’re raising and learn about Oxfam’s work.
CONCEPT
DEVELOPMENT
AI
ST4RT+
This project will exist as an 8 track EP that uses Generative AI that is trained on Tim’s musical data to produce a Machine Learning model.
There are frequent instances of AI being used by creative practitioners to fulfil gaps in knowledge or skill, to prompt new artistic directions, or even simply as a tool for exploration. Tim is interested in taking a collaborative approach to composition with AI.
This project is located within an ML context, in which Tim will provide the materials to train an ML model, specifically Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) in combination with Variational Autoencoders (VAE), with the goal of creating a model that is based on his compositional style.
Simply put: Tim will use ST4RT+ as a means to generating musical material to help him to create new work from the input he gives it.