CG Student Awards - Latest blog entries

Finalists Announced - 2013 3D Artist CG Student Awards

info@cgstudentawards.com (Super User) — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:39:00 +0000

The finalists for the 2013 3D Artist CG Student Awards have been announced!

With over 325 entries submitted, the first round of voting has been extremely difficult. The judging was based on criteria including creative skills, technical skills, overall presentation, diversity of skills, and variety of high quality shots or assets. Each entry received scores from judges from a total of 80 possible points. Even with this approach, the voting was so close that there are a few entries missing out on a place by as little as one point!

Our judges will now complete a final round of voting to select the overall prize winners which will be announced June 3rd 2013.

To find out if you are a finalist or have been awarded a Highly Commended Award, please follow the links below:

STUDENT OF THE YEAR - FINALISTS

These finalists are the best-of-the-best and will now compete for the coveted Student of the Year title and a massive bounty of prizes.

STUDIO INTERNSHIPS - FINALISTS

There are seven Studio Internships up for grabs from some of the worlds leading production companies. Internships are offered at Double Negative, Prime Focus, Framestore, The Mill, and Image Engine.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE - FINALISTS

The Peoples Choice Award is voted by the public. These finalists are the entries with the highest number of votes to date. The voting is still open, so make sure to spread the word. Instructions on how to vote can be found in the FAQ area.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

With so many high quality entries this year, the chance of being selected as a finalist was bound to be close. As a result, the following entries have been awarded a Highly Commended Award. All entrants that received a finalist ranking in either Student of the Year of Studio Internships have not been included here.

We would like to extend a big congratulations to all students and recent graduates who have entered this years event. The quality of work is not only inspirational, but it's really encouraging to see so much raw talent about to start their careers. Thank you to all our amazing sponsors too. Without their support, this event would simply not be possible.

Congratulations everyone, and good luck to the finalists in the next round of voting.

The Foundry - New Graduate Licences

info@cgstudentawards.com (Super User) — Thu, 02 May 2013 00:38:40 +0000

Today The Foundry have publicly announced their new Graduate Licence, and we love it!

The Graduate Licence is a new education product that means students can continue using NUKEX, MARI and HIERO for a year after they graduate – for the same price as the Student Licence £150 / €180 / $250.

Who are the education licences for?

Education licences are available for secondary schools, degree-granting and certificate-granting learning, teaching or training institutions that teach VFX-related subjects. They are available for teaching staff and students employed or enrolled at these institutions and recent graduates too. Examples of VFX-related subjects include Animation, Compositing, Design, Editing, Modelling etc.

"One of the constants at VFS is to ensure that whenever possible we can emulate the 'real world' within our educational model. The Foundry are at the cutting edge of software development and are therefore, world leaders of innovation in visual effects. I believe that it goes without saying that we need it integrated here and we're happy that through this partnership we've been able to do just that."

Vancouver Film School
MARTY HASSELBACH, MANAGING DIRECTOR

More information

We think this is a great initiative and something worth getting involved with.
For more information go here: www.thefoundry.co.uk/education

Media Design School - Featured School

info@cgstudentawards.com (Super User) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:27:53 +0000

New Zealand is famous for its digital design industries and Auckland’s Media Design School excels in all aspects of digital media design education — visual effects, 3D animation, game development, web design, creative advertising and graphic design.

All Media Design School qualifications are designed to adapt with the changing creative industries landscape while ensuring a strong academic foundation. Degrees have a strong base in traditional art as well as the theoretical and critical thinking behind current digital technologies. Students learn in a production–orientated environment that encourages collaboration and helps them discover creative solutions to contemporary design challenges.

People travel from all over the world to study at Media Design School and take advantage of the school’s strong connection to industry including the world famous Weta Digital.

“Working at Weta for over 10 years, I've seen what our film industry can do, and I've been lucky enough to work alongside some of the most ridiculously talented people in film. But it's an even rarer treat to see up-and-coming film artists from Auckland's Media Design School, showing what the future of visual effects holds.” - Greg Broadmore, Senior Concept Artist Weta Digital

PROGRAMS

Pre Degree
Diploma in Digital Creativity (Foundation)
Degree
Bachelor of Art & Design (3D Animation & Visual Effects)
Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art)
Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Programming)
Bachelor of Media Design (with majors in Interactive Design, Motion Design, Graphic Design)
Post Degree
Graduate Diploma in Creative Advertising
Graduate Diploma in Creative Technologies
Master of Interaction Design

FACULTY

Students benefit from the international experience, talent and knowledge of our award-winning faculty who have joined us from the world’s biggest studios, advertising agencies and production houses. Including Weta Digital, Microsoft Games Studio, Disney Interactive, Nickelodeon, Saatchi & Saatchi, Electronic Arts, Interbrand, Sierra Entertainment, Crytek and 2K Games. This expertise is complemented by significant academic achievements with many faculty holding honours, masters degrees and, in some cases, doctorates.

INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS

During the course of their study, students gain experience working on live briefs and have opportunities to collaborate with industry on projects. The school also hosts a number if high profile guests throughout the year for guest lectures and projects.

ALUMNI

Media Design School graduates are renowned for their technical skills and production experience so major studios recruit directly from the graduate pool each year. Alumni can be found working the world’s leading design, game, film and animation studios including LucasFilm (Singapore), Dreamworks Animation (California), The Group (London), Saatchi & Saatchi (Hong Kong), Industrial Light And Magic (California), Moving Picture Company (London), Microsoft (UK), Dreamworks Animation (India) and Animal Logic (Sydney).

AUCKLAND – THE PLACE TO BE

Auckland is consistently ranked amongst the best cities in the world to live thanks to a high quality of living, dynamic culture and great climate. The modern harbour city is home to more than 1.3 million residents, including a large multicultural population. Media Design School is located in the heart of Auckland central business district and within walking distance of supermarkets, shopping, entertainment and dining precincts.

When I first arrived in New Zealand, it felt like paradise on Earth. Its stunning natural beauty, high quality of life, great work-life balance, world class cities, a free economy and a friendly, welcoming society are all factors that, in my opinion, make New Zealand one of the best places to study, work and live.

– Aksh Malik originally form India, graduated 2011, now working at Auckland’s Oktobor Animation on Nickelodeon's 'Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness’ TV series

Just between us, Rotting Hill is so damn clever that we wish we lived in New Zealand, where Media Design School is located so we could get in on the creative action. We’ll tell you one thing: Whoever taught the ‘seven digital artists studying Media Design School’s Advanced 3D Productions’ definitely has a lot to teach.

-TVwriter.net

Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Student Enrolment: Approximately 500
Accreditation: New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Act 1989
Facilities: Media Design School is located in a modern high rise building in central Auckland. The school boasts an event space, theatre, student lounge, art studio, photo studio, after-hours labs, digital library and breakout spaces.

[widgetkit id=47]

Contact Details

(p) +64 9 303 0402
(f) +64 9 303 0646
info@mediadesignschool.com
http://www.mediadesignschool.com/

Gnomon School of Visual Effects - Featured School

info@cgstudentawards.com (Super User) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 10:33:00 +0000

There are some amazing schools and training institutes around the world with world-class facilities, industry leading instructors, and world class alumni on their honour roles. One such school is the Gnomon School of Visual Effects which really set the bar high in visual effects training way back in 1997.

Since then, Gnomon has trained thousands of students and professionals for careers in the entertainment industry. Located in Hollywood, California, their facilities have been designed to create a production-like environment with an atmosphere conducive to creativity and learning. The have a massice 20,000 square foot facility which houses six state-of-the-art computer labs, green-screen stage, a theater, dedicated sculpture labs, drawing studios, lecture spaces, student lounges, student store, and the Gnomon Gallery.

All of Gnomon's instructor's are top-level, working professionals currently in the industry. They work and consult for studios such as DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Sony Interactive, Digital Domain, Electronic Arts, Activision, Rock Star Games, Disney and Blizzard — just to name a few.

As you can see by the images below, the student work speaks for itself! Check out our recent graduates' work. http://www.gnomonschool.com/student_work/reels/index.php

If you are considering the option of studying visual effects, Gnomon has a variety of educational options to help you reach your goals as an artist in the entertainment industry. You can apply for our 2-year full time program or explore our other program options on their website http://www.gnomonschool.com/programs/

Congratulations to everyone at Gnomon for contining to raise the bar and help raw talent find it's place in the industry.

Kickstarter - Anatomical Collection

info@cgstudentawards.com (Super User) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 21:50:12 +0000

Our friends over at 3D Total have just launched a brilliant Kickstarter project with the first in a collection of affordable anatomy figures for artists of all genres!

3D Total are launching the Kickstarter campaign in the hope of funding the development of a range of anatomical reference models at affordable prices, without compromising on quality. The goal is to give every artist the chance to develop their anatomy skills without having to pay a fortune for the privilege!

Sculpted by Federico Scarbini, a classically trained professional character model, the model is cast in grey resin to make the variation in the surfaces and directional flow of the muscles easy to see and understand. One half of the model shows full skin, while the other is a clear and detailed dissection revealing muscle structure.

If the project is fully funded then 3D Total hopes to follow it with a full range of anatomical figures including a female model, different body-types and posed figures.

We strongly believe in this project and recommend everyone gets behind it!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1794375019/3dtotals-anatomical-collection-male-figure