Short Courses
Build your skills with short courses in Animation, VFX, Digital Art, Game Development, 3D Visualization, and Virtual Filmmaking.
Get Started with Industry Essentials
CG Spectrum’s short courses and workshops are all about giving you practical, real-world skills in creative fields like animation, VFX, game development, and 3D visualization. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your skills, our expert instructors will guide you through hands-on projects using the latest tools and techniques that are used in the industry.
Completing a short course is the perfect way to either take the next step into more advanced training or upskill in your current discipline. They’re designed to give you the essential skills you need to feel confident moving forward, whether you're planning to dive deeper into your creative field or expand your expertise with new techniques and tools.
Essentials
Learn 2D animation basics. This short course covers hand-drawn-style animation, the 12 Principles of Animation, and classic exercises like the bouncing ball and walk cycle led by industry artists.
Essentials
Learn 2D animation basics. This short course covers hand-drawn-style animation, the 12 Principles of Animation, and classic exercises like the bouncing ball and walk cycle led by industry artists.
Essentials
Learn 3D animation basics for beginners! Start with the essentials, including the 12 Principles of Animation, character rigs and posing, then animate your first walk cycle using industry tools.
Essentials
Learn 3D animation basics for beginners! Start with the essentials, including the 12 Principles of Animation, character rigs and posing, then animate your first walk cycle using industry tools.
Essentials
3D modeling for beginners starts with the essentials! Set up workflows and build 3D models from scratch. Discover the differences between film and game assets and learn how to texture your 3D models.
Essentials
3D modeling for beginners starts with the essentials! Set up workflows and build 3D models from scratch. Discover the differences between film and game assets and learn how to texture your 3D models.
Essentials
Learn the basics of 3D with no prior experience required. Create scenes while building your skills in 3D modeling, lighting, rendering, texturing, shading, and more.
Essentials
Learn the basics of 3D with no prior experience required. Create scenes while building your skills in 3D modeling, lighting, rendering, texturing, shading, and more.
Essentials
This short course will help you gain an understanding of concept art essentials. Apply your learnings to design assets with support and feedback from an industry pro. Basic drawing skills required.
Essentials
This short course will help you gain an understanding of concept art essentials. Apply your learnings to design assets with support and feedback from an industry pro. Basic drawing skills required.
Essentials
Explore the art of seamlessly integrating live action footage with digital assets in this beginners course. Practice rotoscoping techniques and green screen keying, then build a simple VFX shot from scratch.
Essentials
Explore the art of seamlessly integrating live action footage with digital assets in this beginners course. Practice rotoscoping techniques and green screen keying, then build a simple VFX shot from scratch.
Essentials
Discover how FX are created in this short beginner's course. Guided by an industry mentor, you'll learn about dynamic simulation and the concepts behind it, and begin creating your own FX shots from scratch.
Essentials
Discover how FX are created in this short beginner's course. Guided by an industry mentor, you'll learn about dynamic simulation and the concepts behind it, and begin creating your own FX shots from scratch.
Essentials
Find out what makes an addicting game, exploring game mechanics and systems, genres, level design and world building. Expect a mix of theory, paper design, concepting and hands-on practice.
Essentials
Find out what makes an addicting game, exploring game mechanics and systems, genres, level design and world building. Expect a mix of theory, paper design, concepting and hands-on practice.
Essentials
3D modeling for beginners starts with the essentials! Set up workflows and build 3D models from scratch. Discover the differences between film and game assets and learn how to texture your 3D models.
Essentials
3D modeling for beginners starts with the essentials! Set up workflows and build 3D models from scratch. Discover the differences between film and game assets and learn how to texture your 3D models.
Essentials
Dive into the virtual world of real-time 3D as a beginner and discover how to set up 3D models, scenes, rigs, and animation for virtual production led by an industry mentor throughout this short course.
Essentials
Dive into the virtual world of real-time 3D as a beginner and discover how to set up 3D models, scenes, rigs, and animation for virtual production led by an industry mentor throughout this short course.
Course
Learn drawing basics with no prior experience required. Learn how to use Photoshop and explore perspective and anatomy to bring your ideas to life!
Course
Learn drawing basics with no prior experience required. Learn how to use Photoshop and explore perspective and anatomy to bring your ideas to life!
Course
Master the art of hand-drawn 2D animated effects—including flames, gasses, liquids, magic, and more—from initial design to final rendering, guided by an industry expert.
Course
Master the art of hand-drawn 2D animated effects—including flames, gasses, liquids, magic, and more—from initial design to final rendering, guided by an industry expert.
Course
Master the essential tools of storyboarding for character-driven dialogue & drama scenes and create fully realized storyboards with guidance from industry pros.
Course
Master the essential tools of storyboarding for character-driven dialogue & drama scenes and create fully realized storyboards with guidance from industry pros.
Get The Education Your Deserve
"CG Spectrum is the perfect place to gain focus, understanding, an encouragement for your journey.
If you are looking for a supportive place to gain or hone skills in game design or other verticals, CGS is a fantastic and worthy place to dive in."
Shaul H | Game Design
"I have never experienced such an explosive evolution in my art since attending CG Spectrum.
I have learnt an incredible amount, not only from my amazing mentor Eric Wilkerson but from the entire CGS community. Being part of such an amazing program has opened my eyes to techniques that have streamlined my process and increased my confidence tenfold."
Oliver H | Concept Art & Illustration
"CG Spectrum seemed too good to be true. Looking back, it was the best decision.
Every mentor and staff member has been so hands-on and directly involved in my learning. Co-Directors of top box office movies and supervisors of major Netflix TV shows are giving me feedback on my projects. Students also have access to a strong community, and an awesome career class to prepare you for your dream job."
Stephanie S | 3D Modeling
"Having a mentor definitely helped! It was awesome to have someone I could reach out to when I was stuck.
Getting the weekly feedback also helped in terms of what to improve and what to focus on next. In Term 3, we learned Unreal Engine; I implemented the knowledge I gained in that course to my Advanced 3D Modeling Course to create some additional renders that demonstrated my understanding of using and integrating game-ready assets into an actual game engine.
Benjamin O | 3D Modeling
"Hands down the best decision I've made for my career.
The learning material and staff were great, and having an industry mentor was an invaluable asset that really helped me get my break in the VFX industry."
Alan R | VFX Compositing
"My experience at CG Spectrum was second to none, and taught me so much more than I initially anticipated.
My mentor took me from being barely computer literate to an animator working at a studio in only a year and a half. The information and level of teaching at CG Spectrum will absolutely not be found anywhere else."
Kieran | Animation
"The CG Spectrum training solidified my skills using Unreal Engine.
Having used it briefly before, and feeling overwhelmed by how big the range is of what you can do using the engine, the training taught me the areas I would need for virtual production very well. I now feel confident with the skills I have gained."
Simran M | Real-Time 3D & Virtual Production
"I highly recommend signing up with CG Spectrum!
I was looking for a final push to bump my skills and finally start applying for jobs as an artist. Shortly after finishing my Advanced 3D Modeling Course I landed my first job as Junior Environment Artist, which was my dream!"
Kasia P | 3D Modeling
"I got a job offer at a major feature film studio before even graduating!
Studying at CG Spectrum gave me the opportunity to network with industry artists while I was learning, and coupled with the amazing course, I was able to secure a position in the industry. Now I'm working on amazing projects in my dream job!"
Andi E | 3D Modeling
Join Our Alumni at World Class Studios
Our mission is to train highly skilled graduates ensuring they are prepared for a successful career. Take the first step towards joining our alumni at world-class studios creating work that inspires.
