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3D Generalist

Overview

Students studying Gnomon’s 3D Generalist curriculum are trained on multiple aspects of 3D production. This area of study is ideal for students who desire a breadth of knowledge and a skill set that allows them to work in a variety of fields across the various entertainment industries.

The curriculum covers multiple subjects with a focus on tools, processes, and workflow, utilizing industry software such as Maya, ZBrush, Photoshop, After Effects, Nuke, Mari, Houdini, and more. With a balance of foundational education and software-based technical training, Gnomon’s 3D Generalist courses offer students an extensive skill set relevant to the demands of the industry.

Area of Study Generalist

Because the 3D Generalist curriculum is so broad, it gives students exposure to the different challenges of a production pipeline, which helps build their problem-solving abilities.

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MAX DAYAN

Gnomon Director of Education

Course Grids

BFA Degree in Digital Production

BFA Degree | Curriculum

The BFA curriculum is designed to provide students with a 3D generalist education that prepares them to work as digital artists within the VFX, games, and animation industries. Students may choose an optional Concentration in Game Art or Visual Effects, which contains 30 unique units of concentration-specific courses.

The below grid is specific to the 3D Generalist Concentration. Please note: this curriculum is subject to change.

  • Term 1

    Overview of Digital Production
    Language Arts 1
    Figure Drawing
    Earth Science
    Cultural Studies
    Visual Communications 1

  • Term 2

    Art History 1
    Storyboarding
    Color Theory and Light
    Perspective
    Costumed Figure Drawing
    Anatomy

  • Term 3

    Introduction to 3D with Maya
    Texturing and Shading 1
    Photoshop for Digital Production
    Quantitative Principles 1
    Digital Photography

  • Term 4

    Art History 2
    Texturing and Shading 2
    Animation and Visual Effects 1
    Hard Surface Modeling 1
    History and Principles of Animation
    Digital Painting

  • Term 5

    Digital Sculpting
    Lighting and Rendering 1
    Animation and Visual Effects 2
    Introduction to Compositing
    Animal Drawing

  • Term 6

    Character Animation 1
    HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX
    Hard Surface Modeling 2
    Art of Compositing
    Language Arts 2

  • Term 7

    Dynamic Effects 1
    Matchmoving and Integration
    Advanced Compositing
    Lighting and Rendering 2
    Digital Sets

  • Term 8

    Character Animation 2
    Game Creation 1
    Texturing and Shading 3
    Lighting and Rendering 3
    Dynamic Effects 2

  • Term 9

    Quantitative Principles 2
    Character Rigging Fundamentals
    Look Development
    Houdini 1
    Elective 300 (choose one):

    • Digital Matte Painting
    • Character Animation 3
    • Props and Weapons for Games

  • Term 10

    Narrative Structure
    Character Rigging for Production
    Social Science
    Lighting & Rendering 4
    Elective 400 (choose one):

    • Character Modeling and Sculpting
    • Creature Animation 1
    • Texturing and Shading 4

  • Term 11

    Oral Communication
    Demo Reel 1
    Demo Reel 2
    Elective 410 (choose one):

    • Houdini 2
    • Previsualization and Animatics
    • Creature Modeling and Sculpting

  • Term 12

    Portfolio Preparation
    Demo Reel 3
    Demo Reel 4
    Elective 420 (choose one):

    • Character Animation 4
    • Advanced Digital Sculpting
    • Maya Modules
Certificate in Digital Production

2-Year Certificate | Curriculum

The Certificate curriculum is designed to provide students with a 3D generalist education that prepares them to work as digital artists within the VFX, games, and animation industries. Students may choose between five different areas of study including, 3D Generalist, Character & Creature Animation, Modeling & Texturing, Visual Effects Animation, or Games.

The below grid is specific to the 3D Generalist Concentration. Please note: this curriculum is subject to change.

  • Term 1

    Introduction to 3D with Maya
    Photoshop for Digital Production
    Texturing and Shading 1
    Drawing Fundamentals 1
    Storyboarding
    Overview of Visual Effects and Games

  • Term 2

    Hard Surface Modeling 1
    Introduction to Compositing
    Texturing and Shading 2
    Animation and Visual Effects 1
    History and Principles of Animation
    Character Sculpture 1

  • Term 3

    Digital Sculpting
    Hard Surface Modeling 2
    Lighting and Rendering 1
    Animation and Visual Effects 2
    Character Animation 1
    Anatomy for Artists

  • Term 4

    Character Modeling and Sculpting
    Character Animation 2
    Lighting and Rendering 2
    Art of Compositing
    Digital Photography
    Visual Structure

  • Term 5

    Dynamic Effects 1
    Lighting and Rendering 3
    Character Rigging Fundamentals
    HD Digital Filmmaking for Visual Effects
    Expressions and Scripting
    Advanced Compositing

  • Term 6

    Dynamic Effects 2
    Houdini 1
    Character Rigging for Production
    Matchmoving and Integration
    Lighting and Rendering 4
    Previsualization and Animatics

  • Term 7

    Demo Reel (6 Credits)
    Career Realities
    Look Development
    Elective
    Reel Lab 1
    Reel Lab 2
    Reel Lab 3

  • Term 8

    Demo Reel (6 Credits)
    Portfolio and Resume Workshop
    Digital Matte Painting
    Elective
    Reel Lab 4
    Reel Lab 5
    Reel Lab 6

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