Education // Professional programme

CGI Generalist

Assets // Environments // FX // Lighting

Programme focus

A complete route through the full-CG pipeline, from visual development and asset creation to lighting, effects and final integration. The programme develops artists who can solve complex images with a global understanding of resources, schedules, departments and narrative purpose.

Curriculum // Complete route

Build worlds from zero — and understand every dependency that makes them hold together.

Year 1

8 modules

Visual development

Turning story requirements into a coherent visual plan.

Details +

Concept artReferenceShape languageDesign systemsProduction feasibility

Modelling & digital sculpture

Constructing characters, environments and hard-surface assets.

Details +

TopologyAnatomyHard surfaceEnvironment modellingProduction standards

Texturing, shading & LookDev

Defining material, response and photographic identity.

Details +

UVsTexture developmentShadersMaterial responseLookDev reviews

Groom & rigging

Preparing assets to move, deform and survive production.

Details +

Hair and furRig logicDeformationAsset publishingDownstream testing

Layout & cameras

Building space, point of view and shot intention.

Details +

BlockingCamera languageScaleStagingTechnical animation

Procedural FX

Designing controllable systems for complex phenomena.

Details +

ParticlesDestructionFluidsSmoke and fireCrowds

Lighting & environments

Constructing atmosphere, depth and narrative focus.

Details +

Lighting designRenderingDigital environmentsMatte paintingOptimisation

CG finaling

Bringing every department into one finished image.

Details +

Render assemblyCompositingColour continuityQuality controlDelivery

Year 2

3 modules

Collective film production

Working with VFX and Animation students on one shared production.

Details +

Role allocationDepartment schedulesDailiesFeedbackDependencies

Department specialisation

Developing depth without losing the complete-pipeline view.

Details +

LightingCFXDMPLayoutFXAssets

Professional reel

A focused portfolio shaped for the role each artist wants to pursue.

Details +

Shot selectionBreakdownsShowreelPortfolioCareer coaching

Objectives

What you learn.

Understand the complete CGI pipeline across assets, shots and delivery.
Design, model, texture and prepare production-ready assets.
Light shots with photographic and narrative intention.
Work across connected departments and understand their dependencies.
Plan resources, priorities and delivery inside a professional calendar.

Professional paths

Where it leads.

CG Generalist TD
Modeler / TexDev / Groom / Rigging Artist
Environment Artist / Digital Matte Painter
Layout / FX / Lighting TD
Compositor
Progression towards CG or VFX supervision

Who it is for

Your starting point.

Students or graduates in art, animation, design, games, engineering or architecture.
3D professionals who want to understand the full pipeline before specialising.
Self-taught artists seeking a rigorous production structure.
Creative profiles with visual sensitivity and technical curiosity.

Programme mentors

Supervision by people who make the work.

Alonso Varela

Founder & CEO, Filmmaker & Visual Effects Supervisor

Biography // Credits // Showreel ↗

Will Fife

CG Supervisor

Biography // Credits // Showreel ↗

Adrián Castro

Layout & Matchmove Supervisor

Biography // Credits // Showreel ↗

Carolina Jiménez García

VFX & Layout Supervisor

Biography // Credits // Showreel ↗

Carl Edlund

Digital Environments & Matte Painting Supervisor

Biography // Credits // Showreel ↗

Guy Hauldren

3D Scanning & Creative Technologies Specialist

Biography // Credits ↗

Kris Costa

Lead Creature Modeler (Antropus)

Biography // Credits ↗

Michael Prince

Asset Modeler & VFX Artist

Biography // Credits // Showreel ↗

Sergio García

FX Technical Director

Biography // Credits ↗

Admissions // Calls

Open calls for this programme.

admissions open

CGI Generalist // 2026—2028

Starts 1 October 2026
Application window open
20 places // on site

Apply to this call →

First contact // CGI Generalist

Register your interest.

Tell us where you are starting from, what you want to learn and why this programme interests you. This creates an Education enquiry only — never a professional Recruitment record or a user account.

Given name *Family name *Email *PhoneLocationPreferred contactProgramme *Open callYour starting pointWhat interests you — and why? *Portfolio or reel URL

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Education // CGI Generalist

CGI Generalist

A complete route through the full-CG pipeline, from visual development and asset creation to lighting, effects and final integration. The programme develops artists who can solve complex images with a global understanding of resources, schedules, departments and narrative purpose.

Build worlds from zero — and understand every dependency that makes them hold together.

Year 1

Visual development

Modelling & digital sculpture

Texturing, shading & LookDev

Groom & rigging

Layout & cameras

Procedural FX

Lighting & environments

CG finaling

Year 2

Collective film production

Department specialisation

Professional reel

What you learn.

Where it leads.

Your starting point.

Supervision by people who make the work.

Alonso Varela

Will Fife

Adrián Castro

Carolina Jiménez García

Carl Edlund

Foni Ardao

Guy Hauldren

Kris Costa

Michael Prince

Sergio García

Open calls for this programme.

CGI Generalist // 2026—2028

Register your interest.

Every open call belongs to a programme.