Ringling College of Art and Design achieves Houdini Recertification from SideX
Ringling College of Art and Design has achieved recertification as a Houdini Certified School by SideFX, an animation tool used in film, games, and immersive media.
Ringling College is a private, not-for-profit institution in Sarasota, Florida, offering bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and arts disciplines. The college uses a studio teaching model and provides industry-specific training in design, media, and the arts. It says its recertification reaffirms its commitment to equipping students with industry-standard skills in visual effects, real-time development, and procedural content creation.
All Ringling graduates are eligible for a free commercial license for Houdini, allowing them to continue using their production-ready skills as they move into professional roles.
Recent graduate Finley Southwick says: "One of my favorite tools I created for this project was the Mycelium Web Generator, a Houdini Digital Asset. Seeing my HDA running live in the engine was incredibly satisfying. Being able to procedurally generate creepy, organic webs to set dress with just a few clicks was my goal.”
Southwick’s project was selected as a finalist in the prestigious 2025 Rookie of the Year award, which showcases emerging talent in creative media, in the game development category.
Earlier this year, Ringling College of Art and Design launched three undergraduate certificate programs, offering students technical and business skills aimed at preparing them for creative careers. The new offerings will run alongside the college’s existing degree programs.
