Modelling History
John Steer is an independent history researcher and archaeologist. He work for Reuters achieving a senior position in financial information technology after which he retired early to pursue his researches. Prior to Reuters John worked in computer graphics, he is a London University graduate and since retiring has also studied law.
John's interest in history started in York when he became involved in archaeology as a schoolboy in the 1960s, at a time when post-war redevelopments were gathering pace. Occassionally he keeps his archaeological hand in and more recently has excavated in Pompei and Herefordshire where he lives. His preference though is for documentary research with a particular interest in the Medieval periods.
John has a keen practical interest in traditional building techniques, continually developing the skills learnt at school in the days when woodwork and metalwork were taught. Handy with traditional brick and stone work, having attended courses including the use of lime mortars and lime plastering.
During retirement John was curator of artefacts at Dorking Museum prior to its reopening after a complete refurbishment of their premises. The work then involved cataloguing and assessing the museum's large collection which covered all eras, as well as arranging for the artefact's display needs.
The family is artistic and has been for generations. Descended from the Keys family of notable modellers, painters and gilders at the Derby porcelain factory in the decades either side of 1800. We are keeping up a family tradition only using today's modelling technologies.
Tim Steer continues the family modelling tradition, he graduated with a first in Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) at Bournemouth University, going on to complete a Masters. Tim received the team award for creativity and excellence; he has the family characteristic of attention to detail. He is also a skilled artist with pens, pencils and papers.
Tim has worked freelance modelling children's animations in Bristol and London. In May 2016 he was featured in "3D Artists" magazine.
Tim was the lead artist at Bossa Studios and now working independently. He has created an extensive library of freely downloadable virtual models aimed at fellow modellers and the video games industry The Base Mesh.