
Our History
CDW Studios School of Visual Effects and Entertainment Design has been running since 2011 and provides artists Australia wide with the most up to date and relevant education available to kickstart their career.
In 2016 we partnered with Flinders University to co-deliver the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design), a degree that combines the benefits of a university education with the practical, hands-on experience of working in industry.
All CDW Studios instructors are industry professionals who have worked for a range of international companies such as Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Rising Sun Pictures, WETA, Wizards of the Coast and Lego among many others.
Our goal is to provide an intense learning experience combined with a friendly and encouraging atmosphere that caters to all skill levels. Our students learn in a realistic studio setting, with all classes delivered in a state of the art multimedia facility. In each class our instructors provide a live demonstration of the week’s task before offering individual advice and feedback to all students. Students not only receive individual art critique each week, but are also able to view their instructors workflow and techniques.
From 3D modeling to 2D character design, CDW Studios is the right place for anyone wishing to pursue a career in the visual effects and entertainment design industry.
Our Team
These are some of the key members of the team at CDW Studios. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the Degree and The Studio are a success.
Simon Scales
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 & concept artist. Clients include THQ, EA Games, LEGO, Mighty Kingdom, Animal Logic, Warner Bros and TT Games. His focus is now on further developing a world class education facility in Australia.
James Marshall
Zoe Doherty-Dawson
Zoe has worked in the industry for nearly two decades, bringing her wealth of experience in Marketing & Training to CDW Studios.
Phone: 0424 430 439
Email: zoe@cdwstudios.com
Jasmine Rossetto
Phone: 0406 635 897
Email: info@cdwstudios.com
Bryan Lee
Bryan has a background in industrial design and has been in industry creating designs for vehicles, mechs and tech. He has spent over 10 years in teaching, sharing his knowledge and expertise.
Now at CDW, he aims to create a fun but pragmatic environment to help facilitate students’ growth towards their goals.
Phone: 0413 963 184
Email: bryan.lee@cdwstudios.com
Tim McEwen
Tim is an award-winning cartoonist and has produced storyboards and concept art for feature films. With over 15 years of teaching experience and a nurturing approach to students, he is excited to bring his skills to the Sydney CDW Studio. In his spare time Tim continues to work on his award-winning comic series, Greener Pastures.
Phone: 0413 961 429
Email: tim.mcewen@cdwstudios.com
Flinders University Staff
CDW Studios co-delivers the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design) with Flinders University. These are some of the members of the Flinders that help to make the degree a reality.
Katie Cavanagh
In addition to being a lecturer and course coordinator for the BCA (Digital Media) at Flinders, Katie is instrumental in the partnership between CDW Studios & Flinders University, helping to shape the curriculum and ensuring the degree remains a success.
Jason Bevan
Topic Lecturer and Coordinator for Visual Effects, Post Production, Animation, 3D Modelling. Jason’s technical expertise is in editing, compositing, and 3D animation software, although has a working knowledge of all areas of Animation, Visual Effects and Film Production.
Jason co-runs “The Void” at Flinders, ensuring all students in the VFX stream have access to world class expertise and equipment.
Email: jason.bevan@flinders.edu.au
Shane Bevin
Co-founder of Adelaide animation studio Monkeystack, Shane has experience in animation project management, render wrangling, 3D production, virtual reality production and software management.
Shane has been a lecturer for many years & we are lucky to have his expertise in co-delivering the BCA-VEED.
Email: shane.bevin@flinders.edu.au
CDW Instructors
Our school wouldn’t be possible without the skills, expertise and passion that our instructors share.