The BA in Creative Technologies (First Level Academic Degree in New Technologies for Applied Arts) explores the world of CGI and aims at growing professional figures in the fields of Game, VFX and 3D. Over the whole programme the students learn the most innovative digital techniques: from virtual production to develop VFX in real time, to character design and animation with the use of motion capture systems, from the development of videogames to the design of virtual reality experiences.
Over the BA, students will have the opportunity to:
The programme enables students to acquire the subject’s basic knowledge and skills and to undertake a specialising path in the field of interest through a project-based and experiential didactic approach.
After a preliminary and common first year, students choose their specialisation that characterises the practical-design courses of the second and third years.
Theoretical subjects remain common to both specialisations.
FIRST YEAR
Students acquire fundamental basic skills in digital culture and practice. Through theoretical paths they analyse the forms of audiovisual narration, the demands of contemporary art, the expressive languages of linear audiovisuals and the production scenarios that integrate creativity, design, art and technology. Through workshop practices, students learn the basic techniques inherent in the world of audiovisual sets and take their first steps in the Concept art and 3D modeling environment.
SECOND YEAR
Students are guided on an in-depth study path of digital disciplines by choosing one of the two programme specialisations provided: VFX and 3D, Game. Particular attention is given to the contemporary methods and techniques used in the videogame industry and digital video productions. Supervised by lecturers and professionals, students tackle the production of digital videos, characters, and CGI sets, non-linear multimedia works and video games.
THIRD YEAR
It defines students’ knowledge and skills and prepares them for the autonomous management of the entire creative process inherent to 3D, VFX, and Game, in relation to the current professional context of production and distribution. During the first semester, through an unconventional approach, students broaden their field of interest and specialisation by collectively participating in a single experimental production. The second semester is entirely dedicated to the design and development of their thesis project.
Department: Design and Applied Arts
Area: Media Design and New Technologies
Title Awarded: First Level Academic Degree
Credits: 180 CFA
Starting: October 2024 - February 2025
Duration: 3 years
Languages: Italian and English
Campus: Milan
Specialisations: your academic career
The VFX and 3D specialisation accompanies students in the exploration of the languages, techniques and technologies that belong to the CGI field, starting from independent productions to the contexts of the global digital entertainment industry.
The VFX and 3D specialisation aims to train VFX artists and 3D artists capable of tackling all the useful and necessary stages for the development of visual elements for the world of cinema, events, and game.
Students have the opportunity to learn the main techniques for live-action shooting on green screen, the creation and management of 3D characters and environments, the classic animation for key frames, the advanced animation with Motion capture systems for body and face, the use of off-line renderings, and the most contemporary techniques of Virtual production in real time.
It provides students with the technical and cognitive elements for the advanced game design and with skills in interactive prototyping of functional scripts for the main game engines.
The Game specialisation has the objective to train game designers and technical artists capable of facing all stages useful and necessary to develop a videogame, through the learning of the main instruments for the creation of stories, settings, characters, and the development of interactive and playable prototypes.
Great attention is paid to the analysis of the principal game engines used in the videogame industry as well as to the most recent Virtual Reality and Virtual Production techniques today hybridising an ever increasing number of digital entertainment sectors.
Our Faculty
Luca Poncellini is an architect and a designer with a PhD in the History of Architecture and City Planning. As a partner in the architecture office Cliostraat until 2009, he has curated projects and has lectured in Italy and in several countries throughout the world. His works have been exhibited at the Venice Biennale, at the Van Alen Institute in New York, at ETH in Zürich, at MAGA in Gallarate and at Triennale Milano. In 2008 he co-curated the retrospective exhibition Laszlo Hudec, in collaboration with the Hungarian Consulate in Shanghai. Since 2013 he has been the Course Leader of the MA in Interior Design. Between 2015 and 2019 directed the research lab and the project C-Park. Since 2019 he has been Design and Applied Arts Department Head.
Vincenzo Cuccia has a degree in Cultural Heritage from Università Statale di Milano and in Editing from the Milan Scuola Civica di Cinema e Nuovi Media. As part of his previous professional experience, he worked as an editor in advertising and television, where he collaborated with the RAI (Milan tv broadcast production area) on entertainment, culture and information channels. After working in the SAE Institute since 2009 as lecturer and then Academic Coordinator and Manager of the activity of undergraduate and postgraduate courses on the Creative Media campuses of Milan, Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Madrid, Paris and Stockholm, since 2017 he has been BA in Media Design and Multimedia Arts Course Leader while from 2021 he is Media Design and New Technologies Area Leader.
VFX coordinator with 10+ years of experience in compositing, motion graphic design, and colour grading. Always aware of new technological developments in the audio-visual industry, he keeps updating and training, both as a DaVinci Resolve certified trainer or experimenting with Unreal and Houdini. Since 2015 he has engaged in the academic world, with experience as programme coordinator and lecturer, with teaching experiences both in Milan and Brussels. In 2022 he started to collaborate with NABA, first as lecturer and afterwards as course advisor leader. He has a passion for VFX and science fiction, as well as documentary and social commentary. Computer enthusiast, video addict, gamer, eager book reader, comics fan, art lover, hiker, photographer, storyteller.
Marco Secchi is a freelance game developer who graduated in Computer Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Milan. He is currently lecturer of the BA in Creative Technologies and of the MA in Creative Media Production. He also mentors BA students in their final thesis project. In his spare time, he reads (a lot), plays (a little) and tries to practice Crossfit.
NABA provides students with the opportunity to study abroad as part of their academic experience.
NABA Academic Coordination Office, in charge for the management of the exchange programmes, supports students in taking advantage of the international study opportunities through exchange programmes and promoting educational experiences thanks to a network including numerous prestigious international partner universities.
NABA counts more than 70 cooperation agreements with academies and universities through the Erasmus+ Programme in Europe and others international cooperation agreements with several universities outside Europe.
NABA has developed strong relationships with leading companies that provide internships for NABA students.
Job Placement
NABA's Career Service helps students and graduates identify and apply for internships and staff positions with prospective employers. 89% of NABA graduates find employment during the first year after graduation (data certified by Ipsos Observer regarding 2015 NABA graduates). Students also receive advice and assistance in drafting their résumés, writing job search letters, and organizing their professional portfolios.
Continue your academic career:
Kick-off your career. Among the career opportunities: