3D Animation & Film VFX Courses

3D artists build environments, characters and visual effects for your favourite movies. AIE runs a variety of 3D animation and visual effects programs from introductory-level programs for beginners right through to courses for those who want to make film their career. Artists working in film and visual effects use software tools including Maya, Houdini, Photoshop, Zbrush, Nuke and Renderman.

Advanced Diploma

Career Course in 3D Animation & VFX for Film

See Course

Certificate Course

3D Animation Foundations

See Course

Certificate Course

Podcasting Foundations

See Course

Beginner Course

3D Animation for Beginners

See Course

Why study with AIE?

Practical Skills

Develop the skills demanded by industry
making you immediately employable.

Courses are made by industry practitioners and developed to teach you industry relevant skills and prepare you for immediate employment.

Specialists

Learn from experienced industry professionals
who have insights and connections.

AIE teachers are award winning trainers with industry experience and a passion for educating the next generation of learners.

Equipment

AIE provides state of the art,
cutting-edge, game technology.

studio environment

You will use the latest, industry standard, hardware and software to create your own unique entertainment experience.

Start your own studio

AIE is going beyond providing
digital media training.

AIE Incubator

Education is only the first part - we want to help our graduates achieve their dreams - initiatives like the AIE Incubator Program make it possible.

Read More

Not for Profit

AIE is the world’s first non-profit
specialist games and visual effects educator. 

We support industry

We invest in our students, grow the industry and support graduate career opportunities.

Read More

Career Placement

Follow in the footsteps of AIE graduates working
on the top games and films worldwide.

Get a Job!

Graduates can be found working in some of the worlds leading games studios, independent games studios and also creating their own digital content through the AIE incubator.

Other graduates are working in serious games/simulations for Defence and simulations for major mining companies.

Hear from our graduates

Game Design Student Casey Thomas | AIE

I will never forget the amazing time and valuable experience AIE have given me, they really helped me shine to be more than who I thought I was, I am now a Game Designer creating fun innovating games for the future generations

CEO
Dark Shadow Studios

Casey Thomas
Damian Lam Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE gave me the opportunities to learn industry relevant skills that made it possible for me to get a job in the industry. The teachers were fantastic and incredibly motivated.

LEAD MODELLER
Scanline VFX (Oscar winning VFX studio)

Damien Lam
Kellie Lautier | AIE Graduate Success

AIE was the best choice I made when deciding my career path, the course structure and the connections I made there is what put me in the position for most of the jobs I've gotten.The teachers go above and beyond for their students!

CHARACTER ARTIST
SMG studio (indie game studio & creators of death squared)

Kellie Lautier
Josh Van Zuylen Monochrome | AIE Graduate Success

What I enjoyed about AIE the most was being taught by people that actually have industry experience. My teachers at AIE really helped me figure out the necessary paths and helped me be the best that I could be when I graduated.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENT ARTIST
Cloud Imperium Games (Creators of Star Citizen)

Josh Van Zuylen
Beverly Crock Monochrome | AIE Graduate Success

AIE provided me with the building blocks to take my art career to the next level. I learned about the industry, made connections, mentors and friends, asked questions, and viewed my work as an evolution rather than a destination.

OUTPUT DESIGNER
Funko Inc (creators of funko pops)

Beverly Crock
Ben Davis Monochrome | AIE Graduate Success

AIE gave me the specific tools to learn what I needed to know to get into the games industry. AIE taught me a valuable skillset which I have been able to apply to my career.

LEAD CHARACTER ARTIST
Splash Damage

Ben Davis
Vinessa Mayer | AIE Graduate

AIE has proved to be an invaluable catalyst for my career. The industry veteran teachers and staff went above and beyond. I would not be anywhere near where I am if it wasn't for my AIE family.

VISUAL EFFECTS ARTIST
Bungie

Vinessa Mayer
Tom Johnstone | AIE Graduate

Game development for many graduates is just a dream. The AIE provided me with the skills and knowledge to realise that dream. With such close ties to industry, AIE is a foot in the door to network directly with game companies to help land that elusive job.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
League of Geeks

Tom Johnstone

FAQ

The Advanced Diploma is a practical and career-focused qualification studied over two years. It focuses on skills required by Game Artists and working as part of game development team. Advanced Diploma graduates who are interested in starting their own studio can continue into the Graduate Diploma.

A Bachelor Degree offers a stronger academic foundation and covers a broader base of knowledge and analytical skills over three years. A degree often allows for more opportunities in terms of career growth and prepares graduates for further postgraduate study at Masters level.

Both programs – Advanced Diploma and Bachelor Degree – will get you industry-ready. Both cover practical skills required by industry and the knowledge required by game artists. If you are interested in working overseas, having a degree is often a requirement of a work visa.

We hold an interview with every applicant for the Advanced Diploma and Bachelor Degree. We’d love to see what creative work you have produced in traditional or digital mediums to understand the skills and knowledge you currently have and your career goals. If you don’t think you have any relevant work – talk with our Admissions Team who help.

Yes. AIE Institute and the Bachelor of Game Development is accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia’s independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education, regulating the public and private university sector.

In these programs you will develop characters, environments, animation, game assets, rendered movies, visual effects and a series of games with teams of artists, designers and programmers. You will pitch and plan out your game experiences and have a large portfolio of work to impress prospective employers.

See other course categories