Welcome to Visual Effects (VFX) at Digital Arts & Entertainment (DAE), designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to make your mark in the dynamic world of visual effects.
We know that technology is always evolving, which is why we've tailored VFX to meet the current needs of the industry. You'll learn the latest techniques and tools that are in high demand, ensuring that you're well-equipped to take on any challenge. The curriculum covers a wide range of skills, from the basics of design and color theory to advanced 3D modeling, compositing, and simulations. You'll be working with industry-standard software, including Maya, Fusion and Houdini, and our expert instructors will guide you every step of the way.
At the heart of VFX are three key pillars: Compositing, Simulations and 3D. These elements are the foundation of the visual effects pipeline, and mastering them is essential for success in the industry.
Compositing is the process of combining multiple images into a seamless whole. It's used in everything from film and television to advertising and gaming. Our curriculum focuses heavily on compositing, teaching you the ins and outs of this critical element. You'll learn how to use industry-standard compositing software to create stunning visuals that seamlessly blend live-action footage and computer-generated imagery.
Simulations are another key element of our curriculum. We’ll cover a wide range of procedural and simulation techniques in Houdini, giving you the skills you need to create complex and realistic visual effects such as smoke, fire, water and destruction.
Finally, 3D is the cornerstone of our industry. It's used to create everything from scenes and environments to vehicles and props. In VFX, we cover several aspects of 3D, from modeling and texturing to lighting and sculpting where use 3D software such as Maya and Zbrush to create detailed 3D assets.
By mastering these core elements, you'll be well-prepared for a range of career opportunities. 3D, Lighting, Compositing, Texturing, FX, … are all fields that will be open to you.
If you're preparing for our VFX curriculum, there are a few things you can do to get a head start. First, photography is extremely important in this field. You'll be working with digital images a lot, so practicing things like composition, lighting, and exposure will help you make some amazing visuals. Learning software and computer basics (what is .rar compression, downloading and installing software, frame rate and resolution of images) should not scare you, and while we are not computer science degree, basic knowledge in this field will go a long way. Lastly, we recommend brushing up on your math skills. Understanding elements like geometry, trigonometry, vectors and matrices is crucial when creating simulations. By practicing these skills before you start the program, you'll be able to hit the ground running and get the most out of your time here.
Don't settle for a boring career - become part of our community of artists and professionals who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of visual effects.
Any questions? Don't hesitate to contact robin.rodet@howest.be for further information about the VFX curriculum.
Semester 5 can be substituted by a study semester abroad at one of our international partner universities.
Keep on reading and click on the courses below to find out what you will learn in every module when you major in VFX.
WATCH THE TRAILER
CURRICULUM MAJOR VFX
Click on the course titles to learn and see what each course is about.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: The overview below describes the curriculum as it will unfold for new first year enrollments in the upcoming academic year. Students who were already enrolled in previous academic year may have a different curriculum layout which does not contain some of the changes below.
