Finding Your Passion

Peter and Alma Ries can be justly proud of their son, Alex, who is the illustrator of the recently released  Zoobots: wild robots inspired by real animals. Max Toms will also be chuffed as Alex studied Graphics with Max in 2000 and 2001.After leaving Gippsland Grammar, Alex attended Melbourne University, graduating with a Bachelor of Creative Arts Studies. Since that time he has worked in the video games industry and some of his illustrations have been published in Cosmos magazine and on the Discovery Channel.

Alex has collaborated with Canadian award winning author, Helaine Becker, to produce this book for younger readers that explores the world of robo - animals or zoobots.The inspiration comes from emerging technology as  roboticists are currently looking at ways of mirroring  the unique skills of animals in robot form. In the book, twelve zoobots have been described and Alex's accompanying illustrations with the text are stunning and inspiring. Also his passion for zoology, biology and technology is just so evident in these artworks.
This book is an excellent resource for our teachers, both primary and secondary, as it could be used in many ways in the classroom. What a great reference for those studying the impact of technology on society, robotics and inventions. The ISC has a copy of Zoobots and it is now available for loan.

Peter tells me that there is talk of Zoobots becoming a television series in Canada so  it is exciting just imagining what lies ahead for Alex.