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Art by Mike Zhang and Daniel Kho, Concept by Ashley Wood
Student Art by Mike Zhang and Daniel Kho

VFX Animation

Overview

Students studying Visual Effects explore the various processes by which imagery is created to simulate dynamic assets such as smoke, fire, and water as well as complex systems such as destruction and organic growth. Course content includes lighting and filming techniques, tracking and compositing of elements, and integration of virtual assets into a live-action shot. Utilizing industry software such as Houdini, Maya, Nuke, After Effects, and more, Gnomon’s Visual Effects Animation curriculum offers students an in-depth skill set relevant to the demands of the industry.

VFXDesign_Hero

Not only does Gnomon train you with state-of-the-art tools, they teach you the fundamentals of creating visually stunning imagery. I feel like that is the key reason Gnomon rises above all other schools.

Mike Zhang

MIKE ZHANG

Lighting TD
Sony Pictures Imageworks

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 game-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

    Principles of VFX
    Lighting and Rendering 1
    Animation and Visual Effects 2
    Introduction to Compositing
    Character Animation 1

  • Term 6

    Art of Compositing
    HD Digital Filmmaking for VFX
    Dynamic Effects 1
    Houdini 1
    Language Arts 2

  • Term 7

    Houdini 2
    Matchmoving and Integration
    Advanced Compositing
    Lighting and Rendering 2
    Dynamic Effects 2

  • Term 8

    Dynamic Effects 3
    Houdini 3
    Character Rigging Fundamentals
    Lighting and Rendering 3
    Motion Capture

  • Term 9

    Quantitative Principles 2
    Houdini 4
    Dynamic Effects 4
    Virtual Production
    Elective 300 (choose one from below):

    • Digital Matte Painting
    • Character Animation 2
    • Digital Sculpting

  • Term 10

    Narrative Structure
    VFX Design
    Social Science
    Liquid Simulations
    Elective 400 (choose one from below):

    • Character Modeling and Sculpting
    • Creature Animation 1
    • VFX for Games 1

  • Term 11

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

    • Lighting & Rendering 4
    • Previsualization and Animatics
    • Character Rigging for Production

  • Term 12

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

    • Character Animation 3
    • Advanced Digital Sculpting
    • Maya Modules
Certificate in Digital Production

2-Year Certificate | Curriculum

Note: This is a sample curriculum and 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

    Dynamic Effects 1
    Houdini 1
    Lighting and Rendering 1
    Animation and Visual Effects 2
    Expression and Scripting
    Character Animation 1

  • Term 4

    Dynamic Effects 2
    Houdini 2
    Lighting and Rendering 2
    Art of Compositing
    Digital Photography
    Scripting for Production

  • Term 5

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

  • Term 6

    Dynamic Effects 4
    Houdini 4
    Lighting and Rendering 4
    Matchmoving and Integration
    Motion Capture
    Previsualization and Animatics

  • Term 7

    Demo Reel (6 Credits)
    Career Realities
    Liquid Simulation
    Elective

    • Reel Lab 1
    • Reel Lab 2
    • Reel Lab 3

  • Term 8

    Demo Reel (6 Credits)
    Portfolio and Resumé Workshop
    Visual Effects Design
    Elective

    • Reel Lab 4
    • Reel Lab 5
    • Reel Lab 6

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