Gnomon School of Visual Effects

Gnomon School of Visual Effects is an innovative training facility that stresses the importance of creativity in computer graphics.

We believe, that while technology offers new tools to create your visions, it is our ultimate goal to allow you to interact transparently with the software. At Gnomon, we know that it is not the technology that drives results, but the artist. Therfore, our instructors are industry professionals with traditional backgrounds who started using the technology to bring their imaginations to life.

Founded by Alex Alvarez in 1997, Gnomon is located in the heart of Hollywood and offers a full curriculum for careers in 3D, professionals in need of specialized training, custom training for production studios and online courses. In conjunction with several major studios across Los Angeles, our instructors and our esteemed Advisory Board, Gnomon’s curriculum and facilities have been designed to constantly evolve to reflect any new demands that may arise from the entertainment industry.

Gnomon’s entire curriculum has been developed, tested and is taught by some of the most recognized CG professionals working in the industry. At no other school are the Directors, Advisory Board members and instructors more involved in the production process. They work and consult for studios such as DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Sony Interactive, Digital Domain, Electronic Arts, Activision, Rock Star Games, and Blizzard, just to name a few.

Real professionals. Real projects.

Gnomon’s goal has always been to create an educational environment unlike any other – to pioneer a more effective way to prepare students and professionals for their career in the computer graphics entertainment industry – to provide a real education.

Gnomon’s instructor’s are working professionals who bring their passion and experience to the classroom. They know the importance of understanding how the real world operates and what a production pipeline looks like, to ensure our curriculum at Gnomon is always moving in tandem with the industry – wherever it might be headed.

Our curriculum resembles this structure by taking our students through completion of collaborative and in-class projects. At Gnomon, students complete these projects, which is key in securing employment after graduation. Gnomon students are able to take their projects from the smallest element of an idea to fully formed reality; all using similar methods and workflow used everyday in the entertainment industry. This is the work our students will take with them after graduation, and use to impress a future employer.