Visual Effects (VFX) and 3D Animation are powerful tools that can be combined to create stunningly realistic and imaginative content. They have a wide range of applications, from movies and advertising to architecture and medicine.

Visual Effects include everything done to film and video once filming is complete. While not always the case, these days, most visual effects are done using computers. Computer Generated Images (CGI,) or 3D animation, can be used to create realistic-looking creatures and environments that are made to live alongside the actors and locations that were filmed in real life. In modern blockbuster films, most of the visual effects will be done using 3D Animation.

3D Animation is also used to create feature animation films and TV series, such as those produced by Pixar and Disney, as well as advertisements. The gaming industry relies heavily on computer graphics to create immersive worlds that entertain billions of people around the world. Moreover, digital visualization is becoming increasingly important in fields such as architecture, medicine, and the automotive industry.

However, creating these effects is time-consuming and requires a team of specialists. Despite the challenges, the demand for high-quality 3D visualizations and animations continues to grow. Consumers expect more and more from the content they consume, and the industry must keep up with these demands. That's why large studios and agencies have different departments, each with its own specialty. For example, 3D visual effects artists often specialize in individual areas such as modeling, texturing, or animation. At PIXL VISN, this specialization occurs during the comprehensive training, but you will still learn the whole spectrum.

We are a private academy that specializes in training for a career in 3D Animation and Visual Effects (VFX). Due to the industry’s extensive nature, our graduates have the opportunity to pursue various career paths. The demand for skilled 3D Visual Effects Artists is high, and expertise is crucial to excelling in this field.

After completing their education at PIXL VISN, our graduates typically find employment at major VFX studios working on well-known projects such as "Avengers: Endgame”, “The Mandalorian”, “Disney’s Dumbo”, “Ghostbusters: Legacy” or “Captain Marvel”. Some graduates choose to work in gaming studios or creative agencies for advertising, while others work on music videos, the automotive industry, the medical sector or architectural visualizations. The opportunities for our graduates are vast.

Large VFX productions are not only made in Hollywood: Germany also has big VFX studios, such as PIXOMONDO. Currently, 24 PIXL VISN alumni work at the Frankfurt and Stuttgart locations alone, and they have already contributed significantly to well-known productions like “Game of Thrones” and "Star Trek: Discovery". Germany has several large VFX studios, including RISE FX, Mackevision, Scanline and TRIXTER. These studios frequently work on Hollywood productions and employ many PIXL VISN graduates.

Furthermore, many former PIXL VISN students work abroad, including in renowned studios in Canada and London, such as Industrial Light and Magic and Disney. PIXL VISN graduates also find employment in the gaming sector, for example, at Electronic Arts or Crytek. Our graduates have a significant advantage in the future market of visual effects due to their highly professional training and strong networking in the industry. According to certified employment rate ICG retention statistics, over 80% of our graduates have found employment.

Our concept originated in North America, where this type of training has been around for much longer and has been very successful. It is an 18-month, full-time, intensive training program. By constantly alternating between classes and projects in the modular courses, the students are optimally prepared to create their own personal demo reel. This demo reel, a portfolio of the 3D Visual Effects Artist, is created as part of the training and serves as a personal application portfolio in the industry. Ultimately, certificates and degrees are secondary in this industry; what counts first and foremost are the individual skills that you demonstrate in your demo reel. Here on the website, under "Showcase", we show some of our graduates' demo reels as examples.

The PIXL VISN concept centers around experienced industry professionals serving as instructors. It is crucial that these lecturers have up-to-date professional experience, given the dynamic nature of the industry and technical developments. Our instructors have held responsible positions on well-known productions, including “Disney's The Lion King”, “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Disney's Moana”. Our lecturers can directly pass on their practical knowledge to the students. The PIXL VISN concept is always tailored to the current industry requirements, thanks to constant exchange with future employers.

Since we are a private academy, our students are responsible for financing their own training. The current cost for the entire 18-month course is €23,400. Unfortunately, we cannot offer any scholarships or the German BAföG funding. However, we do offer a €1,000 discount for full payment of the training fees in advance.

If needed, we can also connect you with an external financing provider without any obligation. For instance, a concrete loan financing option could look like this: To finance your training fees, you can borrow €22,400 and repay it over seven years with a monthly installment of €330. Keep in mind that your own bank may offer even better conditions.

It's worth noting that we have a reputation as one of the world's top schools for Visual Effects (VFX) and 3D Animation, and we offer competitive pricing compared to other top schools. North American schools, which are also at the top of the rankings, charge at least twice as much as comparable education. When you add in the additional costs for relocation and living expenses, you could be looking at a six-figure sum in North America. On the other hand, moving to Germany from North America to study at PIXL VISN could be cheaper, even after including living expenses and relocation costs.

Our AZAV certification means that the entire program can be funded through a "Bildungsgutschein" (training voucher) from various providers, including “Agentur für Arbeit”, “Jobcenter”, “Deutsche Rentenversicherung” and “Berufsgenossenschaft”. It is eligible for people living in Germany only and applicants must apply for the voucher themselves. Note that there is no legal entitlement to a “Bildungsgutschein” in Germany. Please clarify individual requirements directly with the contact person at the respective institution. Unfortunately, we cannot influence the approval of an education voucher. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

WHAT DEGREE CAN I OBTAIN AND IS IT RECOGNIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT?

After successfully completing the PIXL VISN training course, you will receive the PIXL VISN diploma, which is recognized in the industry. However, this is not a government-recognized certification, as we have deliberately chosen not to do so. Unfortunately, our specialized training concept, which has been successful in North America for decades, simply does not fit into the existing structure of the German education system.

In order to offer a degree that would be recognized by the government, we would have to add a lot of content to the existing curriculum that would not be relevant to the profession and would significantly extend the length of the training. In addition, we would no longer be able to work with our experienced and qualified industry faculty and would have to hire lecturers without the relevant expertise. In short, we would simply no longer be able to implement our successful concept, which has brought a great deal of talent into the profession. Ultimately, this would not be in the best interest of our students, who naturally want the best possible preparation for their entry into the industry.

But of course, we work to high-quality standards in order to be able to ensure the special level of training. In addition to our AZAV and ISO 9001 certifications, we have been recognized by the Cologne district government as a "Berufsbildende Ergänzungsschule" (supplementary vocational school) since 2015. The NRW Schools Act (§118 Para.1) states that:

"Vocational supplementary schools can be granted the status of a recognized supplementary school upon application if the curricula and examination regulations are approved and there is a permanent special educational or other special public interest in the education provided."

This means that our training concept meets official requirements and is regularly audited by the authorities.

To be eligible to start the training program at PIXL VISN, you must have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent of the German “Mittlere Reife”, basic computer skills, and be at least 18 years old. Passion and motivation are the most important factors, and there is no maximum age limit. We will assess your spatial perception and visualization skills during the application process.

No prior experience with 3D graphics programs or video software is required. While some students may have some prior experience, the training is designed to teach all the basics from the start before moving on to advanced topics.

Additionally, being good at drawing or painting is not necessary for the job. The industry has diverse needs ranging from technical disciplines like rigging or dynamics to creative aspects. The job profile is diverse, catering to all interests and preferences.

If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need a visa, which you must apply for yourself. We can advise you on how to apply, but unfortunately we have no influence on the granting of a visa.

Courses begin every quarter in the middle of January, April, July, and October. Our application process consists of two stages. First, you must participate in our (fee-based) workshop. During this workshop, you will work on a personal 3D project for one day under the guidance of a PIXL VISN instructor. This will help you determine if the training is suitable for you. We will assess your performance and provide feedback.

If the workshop is successful, you will be invited to a personal interview. During the interview, we will discuss your motivation and passion, and you will complete a short test. If both the workshop and interview are successful, you will be accepted. We need to determine if the job and industry are a good fit for you. If we don't believe you can succeed in this industry, we will inform you at this point.

We want you to understand our philosophy and get to know us. We also want to learn about your passion for 3D visual effects. We take the time to do this and provide personal support. We are available for a non-binding consultation either on-site at our premises in Cologne's Mediapark or in an online meeting to answer all your questions before the application process. Just contact us if you are interested in a non-binding consultation.

Effective July 2022, our intensive training program has been extended to 18 months. This change was made due to the increasing complexity and intensity of our curriculum, driven by technological developments and industry demands. For instance, we have integrated additional software, such as Foundry Mari, Unreal Engine, and SideFX Houdini, into our training concept. Many studios now use this software, so we want to prepare our students accordingly.

Both the increasing demands of studios on their employees' qualifications and the growing demands of consumers must be considered. Projects that used to require three VFX artists now involve at least five due to their complexity. Although software and hardware are constantly evolving, the biggest factor in creating high-quality visual effects is still processing time. To provide our students with adequate space for this, we needed this extension.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer internships. Although we receive many requests for student internships, we are a private school for 3D visual effects and not a VFX studio. Therefore, an internship with us would mainly involve working in areas of the company such as administration or accounting. However, we strive to provide the best experience possible within our limitations, and we understand that interns generally want to gain insight into the work of a 3D Visual Effects Artist. However, taking part in advanced classes would not make sense due to the complexity of the content.

If you want to experience working on a real 3D project with professional software and guidance from a PIXL VISN instructor, check out our workshop. In one day, each participant creates a personal 3D project. To learn more about the professional field and our concept, we recommend a consultation appointment.

All of our training sessions are conducted in Englishto ensure that our students are well-prepared for their future careers. Communication in English is crucial in our industry, which is highly international. Even if you work in a German VFX studio, your colleagues and supervisors will come from different parts of the world. Likewise, we hire instructors from diverse backgrounds and nationalities to provide our students with the best training possible.

But don't worry, you don't have to be perfect in Englishto start your training. You should at least have a good basic knowledge, like being able to follow the plot of your favourite TV show in English. If you are unsure, our advisors will be happy to work with you to determine if your English skills are sufficient.