CDW Studios in conjunction with Flinders University offer a 3 year full time Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design) degree. The degree features all instructors, live demos and one-on-one industry feedback that lead the way at CDW Studios, but now you can do it as a full time University course with Flinders University. Students in the BCA (VEED) can choose either the 2D Concept, Game Art, VFX or Animation pathways throughout the degree.
Studying full time is the best way to fast track your career in the entertainment design and VFX industry. All classes are taught by industry professionals, ensuring students receive an industry relevant education. With highly focused classes in a relaxed learning environment, CDW Studios and Flinders University employs a dedicated but encouraging environment for students to develop their portfolios and learn what it takes to become an industry professional.
General Course Structure
Get to Know Our Instructors
Creature designer and Creative Director at Tripwire Interactive LLC, based in Georgia, USA. Previously worked for Legacy Effects, Jim Henson's Creature Shop, The Aaron Sims Company, Gentle Giant Studios, Masked Avenger Studios, ID software, Sony Santa Monica and Naughty Dog. Worked on Unchartered series and video games Doom and God of War.
Currently working at CDW Animation on new IP. Previously worked for studios including Vishus Productions, Resin, Handbuilt Creative, Mill Film, Mr X and Pixel Zoo. Worked on projects including Cats, Mortal Kombat, Love and Monsters, Horace in Slow Motion, Disney Junior-Nivis and Coca-Cola’s Summer of Fun.
Art director at Rising Sun Pictures, based in Adelaide Australia. Previously worked at Disney. Credit list includes Thor Ragnarok, Tomb Raider, Logan, X-Men Days of Future Past, Harry Potter 3-7, and Gravity. Charlotte’s Web, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, The Hunger Games, Game of Thrones (Season 6), Pan, and The Legend of Tarzan.
Adelaide based 3D Modeller currently working on new IP with CDW Animation. Previously worked for Mighty Kingdom on projects including Ava’s Manor and Wild Life: Puzzle Story. Passion for games and has worked on several personal projects including virtual reality game, Child of the Wind.
3D modeller and character artist based in Adelaide, Australia, working at Rising Sun Pictures. Previous work on productions including: Logan, Thor Ragnarok, Ford v Ferrari, Spider-Man: Far From Home, The Boys, Mortal Kombat, and Captain Marvel. Previous employers include Monkey Stack, Iloura, and WeMadeAThingStudios.
David is an Adelaide-based storyboard artist and a senior illustrator and character developer for Watermark Creative. He has also worked for Cartoon Network, Warner Brothers, ABC and Netflix. One of his most recent projects was storyboarding for Mortal Kombat (released 2021). He is also the creator of crowdfunded graphic novels, ‘Uncle Silas: EARTH’ and ‘Fia & Miguel’!
Freelance concept designer, illustrator and author based in Australia. Client list includes Editions Delcourt, Gunfire Games, Animal Logic, Ankama, Blur studios, Blizzard Entertainment, and Wizards of the Coast. Has worked on multiple French graphic novels, written and illustrated his own comics, and worked on several video games.
2D animator currently based in Adelaide, Australia. Created and directed award-winning short films and commercials. Worked on 2 Stupid Dogs, Ren and Stimpy, Pearlie, Figaro Pho, Monster Beach and Kitty Is Not a Cat. Previously worked for Acmefilmworks, Anifex, Kodansha Publishing, Pizazz Pictures, Scholastic Publishing, Southern Star Group and Working Title Press.
Joe Helmore
3D animator and contemporary painter. Previously worked for Assembly LTD, Animal logic, Fuel VFX, Mighty Nice, Plastic wax, Blockhead VFX and CDW Animation on several intellectual properties.
Adelaide based concept designer and illustrator. Currently Art Director at CDW Animation. Previous clients and employers include Monkeystack, Bosskey, Technicolour, Wizards of the Coast, 20th Century Fox and Legendary and Ridley Scott Associates. Specialises in pre-production pitch design, world building and environment design.
Storyboard artist, character designer and concept artist based in Adelaide, Australia. Peter has worked across the world for companies including Disney Toon Studios, Cartoon Network, Pandemic, Defiant and Blue Tongue Entertainment. He's most proud of his work on original platform video game Deblob 2.
David Cornish is a character designer, illustrator and award winning fantasy author based in Adelaide, Australia. He wrote the acclaimed 'Monster Blood Tattoo' trilogy, and wrote/illustrated children's book 'I Don't Want to Eat My Dinner'. He has worked as an illustrator within the publishing and advertising industries for 20 years.
3D modeller with a specialty in character modelling and face sculpting, currently Senior Modeller at CDW Animation. Previous clients include Chocolate Liberation Front, Flying Bark Productions, Mighty Nice and Hahn Entertainment on projects including The New Adventures of Figaro Pho, BotterSnikes and Gumbles, Blinky Bill, and game Dota 2.
Adelaide based concept artist working for Flying Bark Animation. Previously worked on Transformers Battlegrounds (Coatsink Games), Hollow Knight (Team Cherry), and the Legend of the Five Rings book covers (Aconyte Books). He has also worked on projects for Sun Creature Animation, Skydance, AdGlobe Games, Edge Studio, Defiant Games, Ubisoft and CDW Animation.
Simon is the founder and Director of CDW Studios. He has been working in the industry for over 15 years as an illustrator, environment designer, matte painter and concept artist. Clients include THQ, EA Games, LEGO, Mighty Kingdom, Animal Logic, Warner Bros and TT Games. His focus is now about creating a world-class education facility in Adelaide, Australia.
BCA-VEED Degree Features
Multiple Pathways
2D, 3D, Game Art, VFX and Animation Pathways. This means you can build your portfolio to match the career pathway of your choice.
Industry Instructors
Learn from world class industry professionals. These local and international artists and lecturers are here to support and guide you through your journey of becoming a professional artist.
Live Demonstrations
In every class at CDW Studios you will watch a live demonstration in class. We believe that this will give you the best skills possible to build your portfolio.
International Masterclasses
If you study the BCA (VEED) degree you are entitled to one free masterclass per year. Learn from some of the best 2D and 3D instructors in the world!
Hands on Workshops
Learn to draw, paint, design and 3d model in every class. This will develop your skills to work in a hands on studio environment. In each workshop you will receive feedback from our instructors.
Career Pathways
Recommended pathways in 2D, VFX & Game Art, Animation, VFX in Film. At CDW Studios/Flinders University we are here to assist you do break into the industry as soon as possible.
HECS-HELP Support
You won’t have to pay your fees up front if you an Australian citizen or holder of a permanent humanitarian visa. You can get a HECS-HELP loan for your student contribution portion of your University fees.
Student Study Areas
We have a designated study area for self-directed study. If you are travelling from interstate or overseas CDW Studios and Flinders University have multiple areas where you can work on your projects at any time.
Alumni
Flinders University and CDW Studios have given me the space to help work out what I do and don't want to be as an artist, and the guidance and resources to help push me down those paths I want to pursue.
BCA (VEED) is an incredible degree, with teachers who want nothing more than to push you to do your best. My experience in this degree has been fun, I've met many people who share similar passions to myself. My lecturers and teachers have continue to fuel my love for animation and digital art in general. I feel that from this degree I have been able to pick up many good drawing habits.
I chose CDW Studios because I wanted a career in visual development. In my opinion there is no better way to learn than to learn from the Pros who can teach you the skill and the realities of working in the entertainment industry. Since I arrived at CDW I have grown not only as an artist but as a person as well. I’ve met friends that inspire and motivate me every day.
Eleanor Kirkwood
2D Animator & Illustrator
Freelancer
Studying with Flinders University and CDW Studios has been an immeasurable boost to the quality and confidence of my work. The workshops, the feedback from lecturers, and the support to my projects as allowed me to progress in ways I was not able to before. I'm also far more confident in what I can do and in how I can continue to improve in the future.
I chose to study at CDW after wanting to do that level of work through University. I got a taste of the travelling CDW workshops, and fortunately they set up a school in Adelaide so I was able to study there. I wanted to learn from professionals and be a part of the community at CDW Studios. Having the opportunity to meet so many people with similar interests and be trained by artists in the industry was really awesome.
Alex Bellotti
3D Environment Artist
Big Ant Studios
I began the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design) degree without any digital art experience at all. The degree helped me figure the right fit for me (environment art) and follow it. Figuring out my career aspirations allowed me to have a clear goal for my study and therefore since that point I've felt myself improving at a quicker rate. I will forever be grateful for the knowledge and guidance I have received from this course.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at CDW Studios and Flinders University. I have learnt from the best teachers who have supported me throughout my journey to become a great 3D modeler. The classes were small, which allowed for individual attention and for making great relationships with class mates and teachers alike.
Alexander Tuma
Texture & Look Development Artist
Mr X
Studying at Flinders University and CDW Studios was fantastic. Having industry professionals come in and teach you, ensures that you are getting up to date industry knowledge and skills ready for employment. I would highly recommend anyone thinking of getting into the industry to take this course.
The teachers at CDW Studios and Flinders University have been phenomenal over the last 4 years. They have been extremely supportive and have helped guide me towards what I am passionate about. They give us just enough freedom to explore our ideas whilst being able to teach us the skills necessary to find work in the industry.
Studying the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design) was the best decision I made as an artist. I didn't know what I wanted to do 4+ years ago and Flinders University / CDW Studios provided all the reassurance I needed as a young artist.
Anthony Robinson
Creative Director
Golden Age Studios
My time at CDW Studios and Flinders University has allowed me to focus 100% of my time on refining my skills set. The discipline I established through my time studying has grown in a way that I can confidently take my abilities and contribute to the entertainment industry.
The teachers at Flinders University and CDW Studios have always made time to help us find our own voice, style and stories to share with the world. I cannot take full credit for my successes, as my development has only been possible from the supportive team and classmates at Flinders University and CDW Studios.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
CDW Studios is committed to helping you find the most appropriate educational path to meet your goals. Our advisors are artists who are trained to provide artistic feedback and suggest the best plan of action based on your individual situation.
Advice is available via phone, Skype, or on-campus appointments. To schedule a tour and/or appointment, contact us and an advisor will contact you shortly.
HOW TO APPLY
The degree is offered through Flinders University. You’ll need to apply through SATAC.
Degree name: Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design), Flinders University. The course code that you need for SATAC is 224131. Although the degree is offered through Flinders University, we work in a strong partnership with CDW Studios. Students doing this degree will be doing workshops at CDW as part of their topics. Once you apply through SATAC you’ll need to complete your application by sending a pack to Flinders containing forms, a strong portfolio, CV and cover letter.
DEGREE RANKINGS
Always put the degree that you most want to get into first in your ranking, then at ranking 2 or 3 put in a degree that you are confident that you will get into. If you don’t put the degree you most want to get into first you will be accepted into an alternative degree without ever knowing if we accepted your portfolio or not.
HINTS & TIPS FOR YOUR APPLICATION
Portfolio
Make certain that you submit your portfolio, we cannot consider your application if you do not submit the portfolio. Put your best work in the portfolio. Give us up to 10 pieces of your work. Send us 3D models, animation, 2D pieces, VFX, fan art, drawings, sketches — any work that you are passionate about.
Do not be afraid to try to get in, we are looking at many aspects of your work, it should show us what you would like to study. Download the Bachelor book above for more information.
Curriculum Vitae & Cover Letter
You need to write this for your application into the degree, please do not worry if there is not much in it. We do not expect you to have worked in industry. Your cover letter should entail why you would like to do the degree and where you would like to take your career.