SideFX Recognizes Gnomon as a Houdini Certified School for 2024-2025 Academic Year

We are thrilled to announce that Gnomon has been selected again as a Houdini Certified School Partner for the 2024-2025 academic year, a distinction awarded by SideFX. This recognition highlights Gnomon’s commitment to excellence in visual effects education, providing students with cutting-edge training in one of the industry’s most powerful 3D software tools.  

Every year, Gnomon VFX Education Lead Beau Janzen oversees our reapplication process to demonstrate to SideFX that Houdini is a significant part of our curriculum. This includes showcasing our high level of training and the expertise of our instructors, who are also industry professionals.   

“Additionally, we submit a sample reel of our student work in Houdini which for me is always a highlight of the application process,” Janzen said. “It’s continually inspiring to see the amazing work that comes from all the hard work of our visual effects students.” 

This year, judges from several major studios reviewed Gnomon's submission and determined that our program met the high standards necessary to be certified by SideFX.  

“Part of my job is to ensure that our Houdini instructors are incredible – the absolute best people you’d want teaching you these skills,” Janzen said. “I think when we bring those instructors to our campus filled with skilled, highly motivated students, we create something really magical.” 

As a Houdini certified school, our students have access to additional resources from SideFX. Given Houdini's complexity and rapid introduction of new features, these resources offer additional insights and engagement directly from its creators. Additionally, Janzen can provide home licenses to our Houdini students, allowing them to continue working with the software outside of campus.  

“Gnomon is structured to remain flexible so that as the industry changes, we can adapt along with it,” Janzen said. “We focus on building skills, knowing that the tools we use to manifest those skills can change. However, Houdini offers such a unique and powerful toolset with its procedural workflow that I can’t see anything else that comes close to filling that role in production.” 

“That’s why Gnomon offers numerous classes that are Houdini-centric, and I can’t see that changing even in this dynamically evolving industry. Houdini is an amazing example of how the creativity we foster in our students applies to both their art as well as the technical workings of their tools.”  

At Gnomon, students can explore Houdini through individual courses or as part of a full-time degree or certificate program. Our Admissions Advisors are available to answer any questions about how Houdini is integrated into our curriculum and how it can support your creative goals.