VFX Artist
Back to Courses
Avg. Salary $109k

VFX Artist

Learn real-time visual effects for games using the latest industry pipeline. 29 lessons (~14 hours) covering Photoshop, Maya, Substance Designer, Unreal Engine Niagara, simulations, and portfolio presentation. Built by a working VFX Artist at nDreams — no outdated methods, fully aligned with what studios are hiring for.

Beginner
Intermediate

This Course Is For
You If You Are

Complete Beginner / Student visual

Complete Beginner / Student

You're starting from zero and want to learn a modern, in-demand profession in the game industry.

Your Result:

You will create your first game-ready VFX, build a portfolio from scratch, and understand the full real-time VFX pipeline.

3D/2D Artist or Developer visual

3D/2D Artist or Developer

You already work in game dev but want to add VFX to your skill set or transition into a VFX role.

Your Result:

You will master Niagara in Unreal Engine and learn to create production-quality effects you can use in your current projects.

Course Program

1. Photoshop tips

1. PHOTOSHOP TIPS

1 lesson, 20 min

Learn to create patterns, spreadsheets, and simple concepts. Essential Photoshop tricks for every gamedev artist.

2. PRO 3D Modeling tips

2. PRO 3D MODELING TIPS

1 lesson, 30 min

Learn industry-standard software Maya to create simple 3D assets for your future visual effects.

3. Substance Designer

3. SUBSTANCE DESIGNER

1 lesson, 30 min

You will create procedural patterns and pack textures. Simple tips to get results without being overwhelmed.

4. Unreal Engine 5 Intro

4. UNREAL ENGINE 5 INTRO

2 lessons, 1 hour

Learn Unreal Engine 5, material shader workflow, common VFX nodes. It's a smooth start for beginners.

5. Simulations

5. SIMULATIONS

1 lesson, 43 min

Useful tips for fast simulations with EmberGen. Great for experienced artists — optional for juniors.

6. Your First VFX

6. YOUR FIRST VFX

3 lessons, 96 min

You will create your first visual effect, starting from particle spawn to effect finalising.

7. Sparks from Scratch

7. SPARKS FROM SCRATCH

2 lessons, 106 min

Learn to create more complex spark effect step by step. Ready for any game or portfolio.

8. Fire & Flames

8. FIRE & FLAMES

3 lessons, 89 min

Starting from references and theory to VFX fire variations and different techniques to create this popular effect.

9. Lightning Effects

9. LIGHTNING EFFECTS

2 lessons, 67 min

You will create complex Ribbon lightning and Shade lightning — universal effects for any stylized game.

10. Attack Effect

10. ATTACK EFFECT

3 lessons, 105 min

In this module you will make more complex lightning attack effect, usable with any character or environment.

11. Hologram effects

11. HOLOGRAM EFFECTS

8 lessons, 186 min

You will create sci-fi hologram effect step by step. From scan lines to hologram light and picture animation.

12. Portfolio mastery

12. PORTFOLIO MASTERY

4 lessons, 30 min

Learn how to render your works, present them for Artstation and more portfolio tips by Jack. Must-watch for breaking into the gamedev industry.

Main Results
of the Program:

Master VFX artist profession step by step.

Build portfolio with essential effects: sparks, fire, lightning, attack effects, compex hologram.

Main results of the program

Mentor's Work

Jack Anderson

Jack Anderson

VFX Artist at nDreams

Portfolio
Portfolio 4
Portfolio 1
Portfolio 2
Portfolio 3
Portfolio 4
Portfolio 1

Software You
Will Learn

Unreal Engine 5
Unreal Engine 5
Photoshop
Photoshop
Maya
Maya
Substance Designer
Substance Designer
PBR+Handpaint pipeline

Works You Will Create / Course Highlights

Built From Real Studio Experience

All our mentors and workflows that are shown in the course were used in multipleAAA projects and our own RPG game - Seeker of the Ancient by N-hance Studio.The course pipeline was refined over several years of production, not built in theory.

Career Prospects

Avg. Salary

$109k

per year (USD)

Hourly

$52

freelance rate

Demand

High

growing industry

Workflow used in
BlizzardRiot GamesEAUbisoftnDreamsEpic Games

Salary by Level

Junior$50k–75k
Middle$70k–95k
Senior$100k–155k
Lead$120k–175k

* Based on US market data from Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary & Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Plans

Quantity of material

12 Modules

29 Lessons

Format

Pre-recorded lessons

Feedbacks, Private lessons

Full Access

  • Access to the course "VFX Artist"
  • 29 lessons (~14 hours)
  • 5 Portfolio works
  • List of 100 studios with contacts
  • Course Certificate
$199
$67/mo
For 3 months

5 Finished Portfolio Pieces Guarantee

You Will Also Get

Course Certificate

Official certificate is provided only to students who have completed the Full Program and submitted all final results.

Course certificate

Portfolio Guarantee

By the end of the course you'll create at least 5 portfolio-ready visual effects.

Portfolio Guarantee

Frequently Asked Questions

Still unsure? Watch Jack's uncut, real-time process tutorial:

Start Your VFX Artist Journey

Join N-hance School and start building your VFX Artist portfolio from scratch.

Community & Resources

Discord community resource preview

Discord

4,000+ artists sharing work & feedback.

Join Server
YouTube community resource preview

YouTube

Free lessons & career advice from pros.

Watch Now
SimpleDiffuse Plugin community resource preview

SimpleDiffuse Plugin

Texturing 5 times faster.

Get Now