Gnomon launches 55 new online training courses
The Gnomon School of Visual Effects has announced 55 new online courses, enabling students from all over the world to learn from leading artists in the fields of visual effects, game development and concept design.
Ranging from foundation skills through modelling, texturing, lighting, rigging, animation, effects, matte work and compositing, the courses offer an essential training resource for any aspiring artist.
Instructors include senior artists such as Blizzard Entertainment Senior Concept Artist Joe Peterson, Weta Workshop Designer Scott Spencer and Pixomondo Senior Animator Steve Baker.
The new classes make use of Gnomon’s brand-new online training platform, designed to offer students the closest possible experience to attending courses at its campus in Hollywood.
“Our team has worked [for over a year] to create an intuitive and user-friendly training system,” said Gnomon President Alex Alvarez.
“[As well as enabling students] to participate in private forums, download assignments, upload homework and read course notes, it has one feature that was critical for us: all course lectures are 100% live and interactive.”
Learn and interact live
A webcam is essential for the ten-week courses, enabling participants to see other students and the instructor in real time. Screen sharing enables students to view live demos and receive critiques and assistance.
To deliver serious professional results, the courses demand commitment. Students will be expected to spend at least seven to ten hours on homework each week, in addition to attending weekly classes.
Financial support
Those enrolled on the program will be eligible for career training loans and education discounts on software.
Applications covered in the online courses include Photoshop, Maya, 3ds Max, Houdini, Cinema 4D, BodyPaint, Mari, After Effects, Nuke, mental ray, V-Ray, Unreal Engine and ZBrush.
More than just technical tuition
As well as teaching technical skills, the new courses offer valuable networking opportunities.
“Industry professionals not only teach our courses, but take them,” said Alvarez. “We train artists from such studios as DreamWorks, Imageworks, Blizzard and Digital Domain [so] there is always a good chance that a fellow student will be not just someone getting started, but someone with years of experience.
“Again, through live courses, there is no better way to network, make new friends, and discover the diverse range of amazing people who are interested in, and work in, the visual effects and games industries.”
Registration for Gnomon’s new online courses is now open, with classes starting on 7 January 2013. Prices for the ten-week courses range from $900 to $1,350.
Read more about Gnomon’s new online training courses
(Includes full subject and course listings and technical FAQs)
Register for the new courses via the Gnomon website
Full disclosure: CG Channel is owned by the Gnomon School of Visual Effects.