Visual FX & 3D Animation
Diploma and Bachelor
Visual FX & 3D Animation Department
In the animation industry, technical know-how and application are just as important as talent, and this is where SAE comes in. Our hands-on courses are taught by experienced professionals who share their knowledge and tips. Through exciting projects, you will develop a portfolio that will optimally prepare you for your career. With these skills, you will be ready to hit the ground running in the VFX and animation industry.
Our curriculum covers all aspects of 3D modelling, texturing and rigging. You will learn basic and advanced animation techniques, including character animation, dynamic simulations, lighting and rendering, and compositing. This comprehensive approach prepares you perfectly for the demands of the industry and enables you to create professional 3D animations.
Job profiles in the film and advertising industry
Thanks to our versatile training, you have a lot of options. Rigging, animation, rotoscoping, fluid simulation and compositing are just a few keywords from our curriculum. One thing is certain, the VFX industry is growing rapidly and new technologies such as VR or virtual sets make for exciting fields to work in.
Job prospects for graduates from our professional qualification or academic degree in Visual FX & 3D Animation include a career in the film industry as 2D/3D animators, rendering artists, look dev artists or VFX coordinators. We are delighted whenever one of our graduates’ names appears in the credits of a blockbuster. But that’s not all, VFX professionals are also sought after in other industries, such as advertising.
Visual FX & 3D Animation
Students' Showreel
Excerpts from the curriculum
Our curriculum combines theory with practice: first you learn the basics of your field, then you apply them in real projects – with a focus on industry standards, interdisciplinary collaboration and market economy aspects. This is the best way to prepare for your career!
VFX Fundamentals
Introduction to the VFX-Industry / VFX-Production Pipeline, Film Analysis, Digital Image Editing, Layer Based Compositing
3D Fundamentals
Principles of 3D, Low- and High-Poly Modelling, Topology, UV-Mapping, Basics Texturing and Shading, Render to Texture
3D Rendering & Compositing
3D-Camera, PBR-Texturing and Shading, Rendering, Nodebased-Compositing for 3D, CG-Integration in Realbild
Animation
Vector Graphics, Principles of Animation, Storyboarding / Animatics, 2D-Animation, Rigging, 3D-Animation, Motion Graphics
Industry Workflows
Digital Sculpting, Tracking & Match Moving, Advanced Nodebased Compositing, Physics Simulation
Possible Final Projects
Animated Short Film, Simulation / Compositing Shots, Character Creation
Learning and studying
our four models
Academic courses and professional training start in March and September of each year. All our departments offer the same four options for learning and studying at SAE Institute:
Professional Qualification – Diploma
The SAE Diploma opens the door for a career in the creative industries in just 18 months. With a high practical component, you will acquire sound knowledge of the subject, and practical exercises will help you to develop technical skills at an early stage. The SAE Diploma offers professional technical training that equips students with strong, industry-relevant skills. Moreover, it facilitates flexible time management and a high degree of autonomy.
The newly launched Advanced Diploma is an ideal option for those who want to focus on the creation of a comprehensive and substantial portfolio. During the Advanced Diploma, you will complete an interdisciplinary or multi-semester project as part of a team, and you will learn about different aspects and issues associated with such projects. This will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of work processes and interconnecting fields while expanding the technical skills you acquired during the diploma.
Academic Degree – Bachelor
The Bachelor’s Degree is part of the “fast-track program” and takes 2 years to complete. This means you will be qualified faster, be able to enter the job market and start earning sooner. This option combines a compact full-time course with professional training. In addition to studying interdisciplinary content and research methods, practical exercises and projects will help you to gain technical and practical skills.
Thanks to its modular structure, the part-time Bachelor’s Degree allows students to be flexible and to study at their own pace. Professional and academic components are separated from each other and are taught in a complementary manner. As a rule, the Bachelor’s Degree in the part-time “extended model” is completed after 36 months; depending on your personal situation, the time can also be adjusted.
