![Gnomon](https://d3stdg5so273ei.cloudfront.net/andrew/2023-02-10/392546/450xAUTO/gnomon-school-vfx-8-1.jpg)
Called "the MIT of visual effects" by Fast Company magazine
For over 25 years, Gnomon has educated many of the world’s best digital artists on its state-of-the-art campus in Hollywood, California. Recognized as one of the top U.S. colleges in Forbes' 2023 rankings and called “the MIT of visual effects” by Fast Company magazine, Gnomon offers a variety of educational options to help students reach their goals in the entertainment industry, with certificate and degree programs, and over 100 individual courses. Gnomon is dedicated to empowering aspiring artists with the skills and expertise needed to succeed in today’s competitive creative landscape.
Countries: United States
Industries: 3D Animation Visual Effects Game Design & Development
Software: Affinity Photo Arnold for Maya CrazyBump Geoglyph Headus UV Layout Houdini Keyshot Mari Marmoset Toolbag Marvelous Designer Maya 2019 Maya 2020 Modo Nuke PFTrack Phoenix FD PTGui PureRef Python Redshift Renderman Substance Alchemist Substance Designer Substance Painter Unreal Engine V-Ray World Machine Zbrush
Programs: Diploma
Courses
Intro to Maya
This course focuses on the foundation of 3D computer graphics using Autodesk Maya. Students are introduced to the Maya interface and philosophy, as well as 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, rendering, and animation. Texturing and Shading 1 This course builds on the techniques learned in Introduction to 3D with Maya. Through weekly lectures and out of class assignments, students develop textures and shaders using Autodesk Maya, Chaos Group’s VRay, and Adobe Photoshop.
Lighting and Rendering 1
This course builds on the principles learned in Introduction to 3D in Maya. Students will learn to create artistic and cinematic lighting setups with Autodesk’s Maya and Chaos Group’s VRay. Character Modeling and Sculpting This course teaches students to build balanced bipedal characters, merging the traditional art of sculpting with digital modeling techniques. Autodesk Maya, in conjunction with Pixologic’s ZBrush, is used to create appealing and functional characters in 3D.
Houdini 2
This course builds on the principles learned in Houdini 1. Through lectures and homework assignments, students learn to develop introductory simulations using SideFX’s Houdini. Advanced Digital Sculpting This course focuses on using advanced hard surface sculpting techniques in Pixologic’s ZBrush to create models for film, games, and 3D printing.
Props and Weapons for Games
This course presents the fundamentals for creating artistically creative prop models optimized for real-time engines. Priority is placed on gaining an in-depth understanding of normal maps and how important they are throughout the entire process.
Game Creation 1
This course is designed to give students an introductory understanding of working with game content in the Unreal Engine 4 toolset. Visual Effects for Games 1 In this course, students will create visual effects by learning the fundamental concepts of real-time particle animation and material manipulation for implementation in a games medium.
Look Development
This course builds on the principles learned in multiple intermediate courses, such as Lighting and Rendering and Texturing and Shading. Students will learn the tools and techniques necessary for look development with Autodesk’s Maya, Chaos Group’s VRay, and The Foundry’s Nuke and Mari.
Learn More![Gnomon](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-06-13/284960/1280x720.jpeg)
![Gnomon](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-06-13/581231/2560x0.jpeg)
Achievements
![](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-09-21/184318/2015-School-Rankings.png)
Global School Rankings 2015
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2015.
![](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-09-21/343984/2016-School-Rankings.png)
Global School Rankings 2016
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2016.
![](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-09-21/905130/2017-School-Rankings.png)
Global School Rankings 2017
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2017.
![](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-09-21/857951/2018-School-Rankings.png)
Global School Rankings 2018
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2018.
![](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-11-24/991264/2019-School-Rankings.png)
Global School Rankings 2019
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2019.
![](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-01-10/659617/schools-2020.png)
Global School Rankings 2020
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2020.
![](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-01-10/571311/schools-2021.png)
Global School Rankings 2021
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2021.
![](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-01-10/498330/schools-2022.png)
Global School Rankings 2022
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2022.
![](https://rookies-production.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/andrew/2023-09-21/663689/2023-School-Rankings.png)
Global School Rankings 2023
Awarded to Schools that ranked highly in the Rookies Global School Rankings 2023.
Start your journey
Learn more about Gnomon
Choosing an art school is a big decision so make sure to take some time and do your research. Follow the links below to learn more about the school, talk directly with administrations teams, or even chat with students right now.