Real-time Visualization Artist Specialisation

This is an advanced specialisation. It builds on prior 3D training, so you need either completion of a foundation-level 3D course or a portfolio, reel and resume that demonstrate equivalent capability.

Your portfolio should show that you can model, texture and light a complete 3D scene, and that you are comfortable in a 3D package such as 3ds Max, Maya or Blender.

If you are unsure whether your skills are sufficient, send us your portfolio when you apply, and we'll arrange for the department head to review it and, depending on the circumstances, a student interview.

Age Minimum
The minimum age to enrol in our career track courses is 16. We require parent or guardian consent during the enrolment process for applicants under 18.

English Proficiency
We expect our students to have a good understanding of written and spoken English. There is no specific 'level'; however, you must be able to follow video tutorials in English (no subtitles) and speak with your mentor in English during your live Q&A session.

Computer Literacy
To be successful in this program, you will need basic computer skills and a computer that meets the minimum specifications (see next question).

Software:

This course requires Unreal Engine 5, plus a 3D package: 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya or Blender. The capstone term is delivered in Unreal Editor.

Instructions for how to obtain an educational licence for this software will be provided upon enrolment.

Hardware:

You will need a PC with a dedicated graphics card that meets the minimum specifications for Unreal Engine 5 and your chosen 3D package. A minimum of 32GB RAM is ideal for real-time work.

Please note: as the software we use is regularly updated, please check the specs against the latest available version at the time of enroling.

The Real-time Visualization Artist Specialisation is the second half of the Real-time Visualization career track. It follows foundational 3D training and takes you into advanced Unreal Engine work for architectural, product and interactive visualisation.

The final term is dedicated to industry preparation. With your mentor's guidance you'll refine your portfolio, build the professional skills employers look for, and practise presenting your work to a professional standard.

Developing the following knowledge and skills before you start will be highly advantageous to your studies:

• Good understanding of architectural forms and spatial composition
• Solid box modelling skills
• Solid UV mapping skills
• Solid knowledge of 3D geometry: points, edges, vertices, UVs, faces, and surface normals
• Intermediate knowledge of lighting and rendering
• Intermediate knowledge of texturing and materials
• Basic familiarity with the Unreal Engine 5 interface

On completing the Real-time Visualization Artist Specialisation, you'll have greater confidence in your technical and creative abilities and a polished portfolio to show prospective employers.

You'll also have access to our career coach and personalised career services (including interview preparation, CV/resume assistance, and portfolio reviews), which can help when applying for junior roles such as:

• Visualisation artist
• Real-time artist
• Architectural visualiser

Real-time skills are also in demand in product design, film and virtual production.

The CG Spectrum community is another strong resource. Through graduates and mentors already working in the industry, you can network and hear about relevant job vacancies.

We cannot offer guaranteed employment. The industry is competitive, and there is no way of knowing what the market will demand in terms of real-time visualisation.

The students who experience the greatest success are those who take responsibility for their careers, put in the hard work to raise their skills to industry standards, draw on their mentor's expertise, and take advantage of every opportunity to excel.

To help students find employment, we have a range of career services and a dedicated career coach who regularly hosts career-focused webinars, Q&As, artist interviews, and workshops for CG Spectrum students and graduates.

The Specialisation course also dedicates a full term to career and industry preparation. With your mentor's guidance, you'll refine your professional portfolio, build essential job skills, and market yourself with confidence.