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Lighting in Unreal

Lighting in Unreal

With Karim Yasser | WED 6PM UTC | Starting 5th November
This comprehensive 6-session course introduces you to the fundamentals of lighting in Unreal, moving from basic concepts to intermediate techniques.
OVERVIEW

Learn to create cinematic, atmospheric lighting in Unreal Engine 5.

Lighting is one of the most powerful tools in visual storytelling. Over 6 weeks, you’ll learn to design lighting that transforms environments and guides the viewer’s eye—whether for games, cinematics, or real-time art.

This course is designed for beginners to intermediate Unreal users who want to build confidence in real-time lighting. If you’re an aspiring environment artist, cinematic designer, or real-time creative, this course will sharpen your technical skills and artistic eye.

Lighting in Unreal (1)
Course Details

How the Course Works

A quick snapshot of the schedule, class format, and learning experience.
tuition-bronze-01 Difficulty

Beginner

 
certificate-bronze-03 Pre Requisites

Basic familiarity with Unreal Engine interface
Understanding of 3D space and basic transforms
Recommended: Completed UE5 beginner tutorial

 
Tools Requirements

Windows PC
Unreal Editor

 
calendar-bronze Program Length

Six weeks of live training from introduction to final project

 

 
online-bronze-01 Delivery Mode

Live online via Zoom.
Recordings are provided for review

 
start-date-bronze-02 Start Date

Starting Wednesday
5th Nov 2025
6pm UTC

 
OUTCOME

What You’ll Learn

Gain industry-relevant skills and knowledge you can apply right away, with guidance from expert mentors.

1
Lighting Foundations
Understand the core principles of light, color, and mood, and how they translate to Unreal Engine 5.
2
Real-Time Lighting Workflows
Learn the differences between real-time and baked lighting, and how to use both effectively in your projects.
3
Cinematic Techniques

Design dramatic directional, interior, and atmospheric lighting setups to elevate your environments.

4
Professional Lighting Practices

Master optimization and troubleshooting techniques to ensure your projects look great and run smoothly.

LESSONS

Your Learning Journey

Work through a series of lessons designed to help you develop confidence, master new tools, and complete real projects.
  • 01 Fundamentals
  • 02 Basics
  • 03 Directional & Sky
  • 04 Interior
  • 05 Advanced Features
  • 06 Optimization

Lighting Fundamentals & Theory

Learn the principles of light, shadow, and color. Understand how lighting affects storytelling and how artists use it to establish mood.

Unreal Engine Lighting Basics

Get familiar with Unreal’s lighting systems. Explore real-time vs baked lighting, light types, and basic setup inside the engine.

Directional Lighting & Sky Setup

Build realistic outdoor scenes with directional lights, skylights, and atmosphere settings. Create natural time-of-day transitions.

Interior Lighting Techniques

Light enclosed environments effectively. Learn strategies for balancing artificial light sources, bounce lighting, and contrast in interiors.

Advanced Lighting Features

Dive deeper into volumetrics, emissive materials, and post-processing to create cinematic effects and enhance realism.

Optimization & Troubleshooting

Discover workflows for balancing visual quality and performance. Learn how to debug lighting issues and optimize scenes for smooth rendering.

Overview

Accredited Bachelor Degrees & Diplomas

CG Spectrum offers specialised creative degrees and diploma programs designed to prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry. These programs focus on practical, industry-relevant skills, taught by experienced professionals. Key areas include:

  • 3D & 2D Animation - Learn character and creature animation for film and games using industry-standard tools.
  • Game Design & Development - Master game mechanics, level design, and programming to create immersive games.
  • Visual Effects - Explore compositing, simulations, and digital effects for film and TV.
  • Digital Illustration & Concept Art - Develop skills in character design, environments, and storytelling for games and film.
  • 3D Modeling - Create assets for games, films, and virtual productions, focusing on both hard-surface and organic modeling.

Programs are flexible, online, and focus on hands-on learning, portfolio development, and mentorship from industry experts. These courses are suited for beginners and advanced learners looking to break into the creative industries.

Mikhail Macaranas - Quest Accepted
industry expert

Meet Your Mentor

Karim is an Unreal Engine artist specializing in real-time environments, lighting, and interactive storytelling.

Karim has worked on projects ranging from games to cinematic experiences, collaborating with creative teams to push the boundaries of what’s possible in real-time rendering.
Karim Yasser

Studios + Projects

Course Options

Learn your way

Join a small group class for a collaborative experience, or opt for private 1-on-1 training for personalized guidance.
One-Time Payment
7-Day Refund Guarantee

Group Class

US$ 999
US$ 999
Learn, build, and grow together.

The Group Class is the core program designed for collaboration, peer feedback, and community learning — while keeping the group small enough for personal mentor support.

  • Level: Beginner
  • Lessons: 6
  • Capacity: 12
  • Prerequisites:
    Basic familiarity with Unreal Engine interface
    Understanding of 3D space and basic transforms
    Recommended: Completed UE5 beginner tutorial
  • Required Hardware: Windows PC
  • Required Software: Unreal Editor

Class is live every Wednesday at 6pm UTC.
Starting November 5th.

Private 1 on 1

US$ 2,495
US$ 2,495

If you prefer learning one-on-one with a mentor at your own pace, we also offer a private version of this course.

The requirements (software, tools, format, and support) are the same as the Group Class. 

The private version runs over 6 weeks, giving you:

  • Tailored guidance to match your goals

  • Flexible scheduling within a clear 6-week timeline

  • Direct feedback on your work

  • The freedom to learn at a pace that suits you

  • A stronger mentor relationship with focused support

 

FAQ

Find quick answers to the most common questions about this course.

Will recordings be available if I miss a live session? Yes, all live sessions are recorded and will be available to enrolled students within 24 hours of each lesson.
What version of Unreal Engine will be used in the course? The course focuses on Unreal Engine 5.1 and later versions. Most techniques will work in UE 4.26+, but we'll primarily demonstrate UE5-specific features like Lumen and Nanite integration.
Is there homework or practice exercises between lessons? Yes, each lesson includes optional practice exercises and lighting challenges to reinforce the concepts. Solutions and feedback will be provided in the following session.
What technical requirements do I need for this course? You'll need Unreal Engine 5 installed, a computer capable of running UE5 smoothly, and stable internet for the live sessions. We recommend at least 16GB RAM and a dedicated graphics card.
Can I get individual feedback on my lighting work? Yes! Students can submit screenshots or short videos of their lighting setups for review during dedicated feedback segments in lessons 3, 5, and 6.