J.J. ABRAMS
Producer:
Star Trek, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
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Overview
For over 25 years, Gnomon has educated many of the world’s best digital artists on its state-of-the-art campus in Los Angeles, California. Recognized as one of the top U.S. colleges in Forbes' 2023 rankings and 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, with certificate and degree programs, and over 100 individual courses. Gnomon is dedicated to empowering aspiring artists with the skills and expertise needed to succeed in today’s competitive creative landscape.
Mission
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At-A-Glance
550+ Total Student Body
110 Unique Courses
45,000 Sq Ft Campus
97% Placement Rate*
900+ Industry-Employed Graduates
14 Average Class Size
98% Retention Rate for First Year BFA Students
0% Delinquency Rate on Private Loans
*Percentage reflects the placement rate for Gnomon’s Certificate in Digital Production program for the 2023 Annual Report in accordance with the national accreditation standards of the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Our Approach
Gnomon centers its curriculum around industry demand. Our education emphasizes professional application and spans a wide range of subjects across the production pipeline
Where You'll Learn
Gnomon’s 45,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art campus is located in North Hollywood, CA, providing students with immeasurable access and exposure to top artists in the field.
Who You'll Learn From
Gnomon’s instructors are working professionals who are well versed in the most up-to-date software, hardware, and techniques used in VFX, games, and animation.
Though there may be ever more powerful software available to visual effects artists, our emphasis remains on the creative process instead of mere technical proficiency. Gnomon recognizes that quality education is only a portion of a student’s holistic academic experience. Through studio engagement, networking activities, and industry-related events showcasing the latest artistic and CG techniques, students at Gnomon gain a broad understanding of the operational characteristics of different studios, insight into the current job market, and the comprehensive knowledge of how to navigate a career in the digital production industries.
Visual effects artists launched Gnomon with the support of the entertainment industry to help meet the demand for well-trained creative talent in the growing field of digital entertainment. Our graduates are professionals working on the latest blockbuster films and games and have positions at film and video game studios around the world.
History
Gnomon was founded in 1997, by Alex Alvarez, in a modest 1-classroom location in Hollywood, CA. Centered on the dream of opening a space where artists could share ideas, techniques and learn together, Alex was determined to create an education that inspires: a place to learn that is led by artists, for artists.
Soon after founding, Alex partnered with Darrin Krumweide, and together they pioneered the earliest instructional efforts in the field, making Gnomon one of the first institutions in the country, and possibly the world, to offer an education specific to the emerging field of computer-generated visual effects.
Now an accredited college supporting a 45,000 sq ft campus, offering multiple degree and certificate-level programs, as well as over a hundred course offerings for everyone from the working professional to those just getting started, the School’s mission remains the same. Gnomon is honored to continue providing the entertainment industry with a uniquely skilled workforce and offering student artists an unparalleled educational experience.
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I only wish that Gnomon had existed when I was a kid. Their professors and founders are people who truly inspire. They don’t just teach the ‘how to,’ they give you context, understanding, and expectations of ‘how to on the job’. It’s that amazing ideal, where art and making a living peacefully co-exist. You can certainly become a successful working artist without Gnomon, but with their pedigree, placement stats, culture, and track record, why take that chance?
