Flinders/CDW shoot to global top

Flinders University and partner CDW Studios have smashed the global ‘Rookies’ rankings for digital design and illustration this year, rocketing to number four in the world for concept art and illustration, number six for 2D animation; making the revered best overall creative media and entertainment school for the first time; and placing in the world’s top 20 schools for game design and visual effects.

The outstanding results were announced this week by The Rookies, an international, industry-recognised organisation that evaluates the work of digital illustration and design students from the world’s leading digital media and art schools.

Flinders University and CDW Studios partner to deliver courses in visual effects and entertainment design in Adelaide and online, instructed by Flinders lecturers and world-class teachers who are professional practitioners who have worked with some of the globe’s top entertainment providers.

For the last eight years, the formidable partnership has produced students who have regularly won international accolades for their outstanding work and gone on to contribute their exceptional skills at organisations like Warner Brothers and Technicolour.

A still from Bonnie Grant’s animation reel submitted to the Rookies 2020. Bonnie is a third year student in the Flinders University Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design).

Following three years of consistently ranking within The Rookies’ top ten schools for digital illustration, Flinders University and CDW Studios have now shot to the top across five of the Rookies ten school categories, including a first-ever listing in the overall Rookies Top 50 Creative Media and Entertainment School at number 15; one of just two Australian institutes to make the revered list and the only one in the top 20.

“This is an outstanding result for Flinders University and CDW Studios and demonstrates the incredible talent of our teachers and students. The awards are based on the quality of student work and we are so proud of our students,” says Katie Cavanagh, coordinator of the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design).

“Coming in at number 15 on the world’s best Creative Media and Entertainment Art Schools in the World is a phenomenal achievement. This and the category rankings reflect our success in developing students to be at the absolute top of their game and prepared for successful careers across a range of areas in visual effects and digital design.”

Submissions to The Rookies were received from 3,769 students this year from more than 500 institutions around the world, with judging undertaken by a panel of respected and trusted industry professionals.

View Flinders University CDW Studios certification and information on The Rookies.

About The Rookies:

The Rookies is an international awards and mentor program for young designers, creators, innovators and artists in film, animation, games, virtual reality and architecture visualisation. It provides a platform to showcase the world’s most talented digital artists and digital illustration and design schools, and is widely partnered with by industry, and respected by industry as a global authority.

Old City Verdigris, by Jay Blencowe, honours student in the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design). Submitted to the Rookies 2020 (Jay was awarded Runner Up in Concept Art).

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