How It Works
The CG Spectrum difference
Get a more hands-on education with mentorship from top film and game experts, an industry-approved curriculum, and a thriving creative community cheering you on.
By giving you access to the most talented artists in the industry, we help you become the best connected, trained and prepared for life beyond school. Progress faster with expert feedback from your mentor, and join an inspiring and supportive online community of industry experts and peers.
What makes CG Spectrum unique?
- Personalized job-focused training & career services
- Private 1-on-1 or small group classes (max 4 students)
- Live call with your mentor each week + recorded video critiques
- Supportive & active community of peers, alumni, & mentors
- Flexible schedules & 100% online, study from anywhere!
Review lessons and video content
- Watch your recorded lectures and supportive material
- Review assignment requirements
- Begin researching and planning your week
- Start assignment
Q&A session and upload work
- Submit your first pass of work for the mentor’s video critique
- Meet your mentor online for a Q&A and critique session
- Download and review recorded Q&A session and revise your work according to feedback
Critique and feedback
- Submit your final pass of work for the week
- Review additional recorded critique from your mentor working within your file
- Review the following week’s recorded lectures and supportive material
Benefits of studying at CG Spectrum
As an online school with students and mentors in 90+ countries, we're proud to bring the industry to you–wherever you are in the world.
Not all courses are built the same or offer the same amount of interaction (if any!) with mentors or teachers. We work hard to ensure a more personalized experience. Here are some reasons students choose us:
- High quality education at a fraction of the cost of university
- Small class sizes (max 4) & private 1-on-1 mentorship options
- Direct access to industry mentors with years of film & game experience
- Get studio-ready in half the time of an average degree program
- Active, supportive online community
- Software licenses included, no additional costs
- Job-focused curriculum & additional career services
Accelerate your career
Build a competitive edge and meet your career goals with personalized career support from our in-house Career Development Manager.
Alongside building the technical skills, all 9-month course students get additional 1-on-1 career support with our Career Development Manager and help with:
- Portfolio & demo reel reviews
- Resume/CV assistance & interview preparation
- Internship & job application help
- Career-focused workshops & webinars
- Jobs board & monthly careers newsletter
CG Spectrum got me my dream job!
After a lot of research, I found CG Spectrum. The curriculum is wonderful, and the school is very accommodating. The mentors actually go through the files of your assignments. This contributes tremendously towards understanding your mistakes and HOW you can correct them. The mentors are extremely helpful, encouraging, kind and most importantly, always available for help.
I was hired by Ubisoft!
It’s your career success that matters. I applied to some companies with my updated reel and got hired by a studio named Dwarf-Labs where I did some animations for a CG commercial. Then I was hired by Ubisoft where I worked on one of their biggest franchises, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate!
You're not just another number.
I always dreamed of breaking into the entertainment industry and since joining CG Spectrum I realised it's not an unachievable dream. CG Spectrum has a way of mentoring students that I hadn't experienced before. My mentor was always pushing me in order to become industry-ready. Mentors are always available for feedback and take a proactive approach to teaching. Studying online makes for a more dedicated and uninterrupted learning experience.
CG Spectrum was 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.
I hadn't even finished the course and I was offered a job.
My understanding of Nuke compositing was minimal when I started with CG Spectrum. With the help of the mentors, I managed to build my skills and get my foot in the door at a major VFX studio.
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!
Having unlimited access to industry experts offers a treasure trove of learning opportunities for aspiring artists
Learning new or different software is not the hard part. What matters is making the most of whatever tools you know in the most effective manner. That is how my education helped me in my career, delivering results in the smartest way possible with whatever options available.
To better understand the industry, I enrolled at CG Spectrum.
There I was able to create a demo reel and build connections with professionals that ultimately led me to my first opportunity as an animator at Sony Imageworks. I have to give a HUGE shout-out to CG Spectrum’s Career Development Manager, Maxine Schnepf. She was the person who guided me through the entire application process. I honestly believe I would not have gotten this opportunity without her help.
I landed a job immediately after finishing the course.
When I started CG Spectrum's animation program, I wasn't sure what to expect. Now, I can surely tell that choosing CG Spectrum was the best decision I've ever made. My mentors were incredibly knowledgeable, dedicated and supportive.
Alfredo Cassano
Alfredo is a 2D animator and storyboard artist who has worked on feature films like Klaus (Lead Animator on Jesper), Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells, and several TV shows.
Read full bioMentor of 2D Animation
Known for Klaus
Bernie Kang
Now art director at Phoenix One, Bernie created creatures, characters, weapons and FX concepts for cinematic trailers for World of Warcraft and more while at Blizzard.
Read full bioMentor of Concept Art
Known for World of Warcraft
Brittany Piacente
Brittany has 50+ film & TV credits to her name including three Star Wars films, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Black Panther, Mad Max: Fury Road, Blade Runner 2049.
Read full bioMentor of Nuke Compositing
Known for Loki
Firas Hosn
While at Ubisoft, AAA programmer Firas released almost a game a year including Far Cry 3, 4, 5, Assassin's Creed 3, Your Shape, Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Watchdogs 2 and 3.
Read full bioDept. Head of Game Programming
Known for Assassin's Creed 3
Sykosan
Sykosan is a 2D animation filmmaker with expertise covering all stages of the animation process and a unique style of modern western and Japanese influences.
Read full bioMentor of 2D Animation
Known for Katy Perry's Cry About it Later
Genevieve Camilleri
Gen is an Oscar-nominated VFX Supervisor & Compositor who has worked at ILM, Mill Film, and Animal Logic. Credits: Love and Monsters, Doctor Strange, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Mad Max: Fury Road.
Read full bioMentor of Nuke Compositing
Known for Love and Monsters
Humza Khan
Humza has worked for EA, Microsoft, Activision, LucasArts, Wargaming, Ubisoft, Fischer Price, Hasbro, Mattel. Credits include: Call of Duty, The Division 2, and the Sims.
Read full bioMentor of Concept Art
Known for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Hubert Lapointe
Montréal-based Hubert Lapointe has worked as an animator and animation supervisor on hit shows like Rick & Morty and The Ollie and Moon Show, and as a software instructor for ToonBoom.
Read full bioMentor of 2D Animation
Known for Rick and Morty
Heath Smith
AAA Game Designer Heath has 13+ years' experience top studios in North America and Australia on The Amazing Spider-Man, Hitman, and The Tomb Raider franchise.
Read full bioMentor of Game Design
Known for Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Eric Wilkerson
Eric is an illustrator/concept artist for film, TV, advertising, publishing, comics and games. Clients include Wizards of the Coast (Magic: The Gathering), Weta Workshop, Marvel, Upper Deck, Scholastic and Disney.
Read full bioMentor of Illustration
Known for Magic: The Gathering
Justin Mohlman
Justin has brought dozens of games to life in his 2-decade career. Credits include Tony Hawk, Mortal Kombat, and other AAA titles like Singularity and Stranglehold.
Read full bioMentor of Foundations
Known for Mortal Kombat Franchise
Misu Yamaneko
Based in Tokyo, Misu has worked as a storyboard artist for Pokemon Sun & Moon, Vinland Saga, Overlord II and Bleach Brave Souls.
Read full bioMentor of 2D Animation
Known for Pokemon Sun & Moon
Roland Vallet
Roland has worked his way across the globe at major studios like Weta Digital, where he worked on two Planet of The Apes movies, The Hobbit Trilogy, and Avengers: Infinity War.
Read full bioMentor of 3D Animation
Known for Avengers: Infinity War
Scott Claus
While at Disney and DreamWorks Scott animated classics like Pocahontas, Hunchback of Notre Dame and Road to El Dorado. He later won an Oscar for best special effects for Life of Pi.
Read full bioManager of Animation
Known for Hercules
Mike Thompson
Award-winning artist Mike has worked with clients such as Marvel, Hasbro, Dimension Films, HBO, Electronic Arts, Warner Bros, Mattel, DC Comics and Cartoon Network.
Read full bioMentor of Concept Art
Known for Black Panther
I've just accepted an internship role at Pixar!
As my final semester of the Advanced 3d Modeling course is coming to an end, I've just accepted an internship role at Pixar! I've learned so much over the past year and am thrilled to have the skills now to make a career change for my dream job. I'm excited to begin this new phase of my journey—thanks so much CG Spectrum!
I landed a job immediately after finishing the course.
When I started CG Spectrum's animation program, I wasn't sure what to expect. Now, I can surely tell that choosing CG Spectrum was the best decision I've ever made. My mentors were incredibly knowledgeable, dedicated and supportive.
I enrolled looking for a career change...
I didn't have any knowledge about digital arts. Now I can accomplish my dream of creating cinematics within fantasy worlds to tell stories or apply any artistic idea and make it happen with all the new tools under my belt. If you have passion, and need time flexibility, consider joining the amazing community and start your new journey exploring, exchanging, sharing and, most importantly, learning.
CG Spectrum prepares you to work as a professional game designer from day one.
The most impressive quality CG Spectrum offers is a course that makes study as if you were on your first job. If you are willing to put the energy into studying and do the assignments as if you were on the job, and if you are ready to hear your mentor's suggestions and challenge yourself to push your limits, you will get an experience very similar to the workplace.
If you're considering a career change for the CG Industry, try CG Spectrum. You won't regret it!
I wanted to give special thanks to Maxine, for all her time and guidance. Maxine will go out of her way to help guide you! She will take the time to listen to your specific drives, needs and weaknesses, then help you set your goals and craft methodologies to fulfill them. I am really thankful to Maxine for all her unconditional help!
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. I highly recommend the Advanced Illustration Course. Buckle up, and knuckle down – this could be the course that changes everything for you.
I’d take the course again if I could!
I can’t praise CG Spectrum enough for the quality of teaching and dedication to their students. Mark was by far the best mentor I’ve ever had. He really took the time to help design the course around what it is that I wanted to get out of it. I’ve studied other animation courses in the past, but none even come close to the depth and speed of development as CG Spectrum.
I'm so glad I've chosen CG Spectrum's FX course.
I can honestly say that the amount I've learned in a year studying here is more than I could've ever learned in a traditional school or by myself. The mentors are incredibly knowledgeable about their field, and they're very helpful and patient. You get to be a part of an incredible community of talented students and mentors, I think that's one of the biggest advantages that this school offers.
