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Latest inspiration, tutorials and news

10th Annual Rookies World School Rankings® 2020 Announced Today

The Rookies today released its 10th annual ranking lists naming the Top 50 schools offering programs in game design, animation, visual effects, concept art, motion graphics and architectural visualisation.

19 reasons why you're not getting a job in vfx, games or animation.

We all know it can be difficult to break into creative industries. Competition for jobs is global, junior talent is strong and every month more and more artists graduate and

Beginner's Guide to Becoming a Visual Effects (VFX) Artist

2020 Update! - This free guide explains everything you need to know about becoming a visual effects artist for blockbuster films, television and more.

Latest inspiration, tutorials and news

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How to Make a Character Artist's Original Portfolio Piece for Film and Games

Felix D'souza, an electrical engineer, businessman, self taught 3D character artist and a dreamer, from India., shows us how to make a character artist's original portfolio piece for film and games.

Insider's Guide - CG Cookie

Whether you’re already at school, looking to find a new school or even considering moving overseas to study, nothing beats hearing from the students themselves! We speak to Omar Domenech about the ins and outs of studying online at CG Cookie.

Weekly Drills 046 - #GamingController

This week we want you to create a gaming controller, then simply tag it #RookiesWeeklyDrills and #GamingController.

The Secrets to Sculpting and Texturing Realistic ZBrush Characters

Jordan Moodaliar is a 3D Character Artist with a passion for creating characters for film and games. Jordan shares with us his secrets to sculpting realistic and believable characters in ZBrush, Maya and Substance Painter. He takes us through his workflow from design to final rendering.

VFX Side Quest: Creating A Retro Video Game Look

Hashi a.k.a. Action Movie Dad takes you on a trip down 16-bit memory lane in a totally rad new VFX Side Quest, walking you through some simple techniques to turn your modern footage into a retro 16-bit video game using Adobe After Effects and Red Giant tools.

Character Lighting Techniques to Improve Your Animated Story Telling

Annabelle Doucet-Circé is a recent graduate of CDI College and currently enrolled at the Academy of Animated Art to specialise in lighting for animation. In this breakdown she shares her character lighting techniques to help tell moving stories.

Weekly Drills 045 - #SurvivalKnife

This week we want you to create a project of a survival knife, then simply tag it #RookiesWeeklyDrills and #SurvivalKnife.

Career Advice - How to setup your own CGI studio and create AAA game projects

The One Academy of Communication Design alumni and Co-Founders Fei and Ken of Lemon Sky Studios, share their journey and advice to aspiring artists looking for an exciting and challenging career like their own.

Weekly Drills 044 - #FishTank

This week we want you to create a project of a fish tank, then simply tag it #RookiesWeeklyDrills and #FishTank.

Featured Schools

Gnomon

For over twenty years, Gnomon has educated many of the world’s best digital artists. Called “the MIT of visual effects” by Fast Company magazine, Gnomon offers a variety of educational options to help students reach their goals in the entertainment industry.

CG Spectrum

Our mentors meet students from around the world online for small classes or 1-on-1 specialised industry diploma courses. Apply now and launch your career in games or film.

Think Tank Training Centre

World-class VFX training and mentorship by industry professionals

Recent Certified Schools

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Savannah College of Art and Design

We exist to prepare talented students for professional careers.

Institut Artline

Live and professionalize your passion, thanks to our online diploma courses Preparatory, Bachelors and Masters preparing for the professions of creation.

FZD School of Design

Our unique 1 Year Diploma Program is focused on the core fundamentals of drawing and design. Students will graduate with a Diploma in Industrial Design and a vast array of professional skills.

University for the Creative Arts

The University for the Creative Arts was founded in 2005 and is the latest incarnation of this leading creative education institution, with a legacy dating back over 160 years in Farnham.

Yoobee Colleges

The colleges all have rich histories, dating back 30 years in some cases, and they have been working collaboratively for several years to offer complementary pathway programmes.

Member Showcase, Level-Ups and Achievements

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Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

With over 20,000 members using the portfolio tools on The Rookies, there is no shortage of amazing portfolios worth checking out. This week our team has picked another round of amazing portfolios that shows a great range of skills, a creative eye and solid technical skills.

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

Week 6 - This week our team has picked another round of amazing portfolios that shows a great range of skills, a creative eye and solid technical skills.

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

Check out four of our latest featured portfolios by members that are really taking their online portfolios to the next level.

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

With over 10,000 members using the portfolio tools on The Rookies, there is no shortage of amazing portfolios worth checking out. This week our team has picked another round

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

Week #4 - With over 20,000 members using the portfolio tools on The Rookies, there is no shortage of amazing portfolios worth checking out. This week our team has picked another round of amazing portfolios that shows a great range of skills, a creative eye and solid technical skills.

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

With over 20,000 members using the portfolio tools on The Rookies, there is no shortage of amazing portfolios worth checking out. This week our team has picked another round of amazing portfolios that shows a great range of skills, a creative eye and solid technical skills.

Discover everything you need for your creative journey.

10th Annual Rookies World School Rankings® 2020 Announced Today

19 reasons why you're not getting a job in vfx, games or animation.

Beginner's Guide to Becoming a Visual Effects (VFX) Artist

How to Make a Character Artist's Original Portfolio Piece for Film and Games

Insider's Guide - CG Cookie

Weekly Drills 046 - #GamingController

The Secrets to Sculpting and Texturing Realistic ZBrush Characters

VFX Side Quest: Creating A Retro Video Game Look

Character Lighting Techniques to Improve Your Animated Story Telling

Weekly Drills 045 - #SurvivalKnife

Career Advice - How to setup your own CGI studio and create AAA game projects

Weekly Drills 044 - #FishTank

Gnomon

CG Spectrum

Think Tank Training Centre

Savannah College of Art and Design

Institut Artline

FZD School of Design

University for the Creative Arts

Yoobee Colleges

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

Award Winners - Portfolio of the Week

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