Skip to main content Accessibility Policy

Mirjana Nikolic

Visual effects professor

Education

  • M.S. computer science, The City College of New York
  • B.S., electrical engineering, University of Novi Sad

Credentials

  • Professor of visual effects, 2020–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA
  • Associate professor, 2013–20, Cogswell Polytechnical College, Silicon Valley
    Taught the following courses: 30 Visual Effects, Compositing, Math for Computer Graphics Introduction to Scripting, Tools Programming Game Level Design, Game Prototyping, and Real Time VFX.
  • R&D engineer, 2007–10, ImageMovers Digital
    Particle simulation (snow, spray, dust effects}, fluid simulation (jet flames}, crowd simulation. RenderMan integration into the production pipeline, including filters, procedurals, shaders. Unit Testing production tools lighting tool, maya exporter, debugging RenderMan issues. Development and support of the crowds rendering tools.
  • Technical director, 2000–07, Pixar Animation Studios, Emeryville, CA
    Worked on feature projects, including Monsters Inc., Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, as well as short projects One Man Band and Nemo Submarine Ride.
  • Effects developer, 1998–2000, PDI/DreamWorks Animation, Palo Alto, CA
    Worked on production of Shrek.
  • Technical director, 1994–98, Walt Disney Feature Animation, Burbank, CA
    Worked on feature projects, including Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, and Fantasia 2000.

Awards, recognitions, and honors

  • John and Ginny Chin Award, Excellence in Teaching, 2019
  • Grant to Immersive4 team, Innovation Fund, Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, World Bank, 2019