Professional Overview
Prof. Seb Hirsch is a multifaceted professional with extensive experience in academia, visual effects, motion design and 3D animation. Currently serving as a Professor for Time-Based Media and 3D Animation at Media University (formerly HMKW), he brings a wealth of industry experience to his academic role.
Academic Career
Professor at Media University since 2015
Full teaching load since 2017
Program Director for B.A. Game Design & Interactive Media since 2019
Head of Design Department since 2020
Former Professor at Macromedia University (2014-2015)
Taught Animation, Post-production, and Visual Effects
Industry Experience
With over two decades in the visual effects and motion design industry, Prof. Hirsch has contributed to numerous high-profile projects:
VFX Artist and Supervisor at Scanline VFX (2007-2012)
Motion Graphics Designer at VOX Film- und Fernseh-GmbH (2004-2007)
Freelance Motion Graphics Designer and VFX Artist (2012-present)
Clients include Pixomondo, Rise FX, ProSieben, RTL, SAT.1, and ARTE
Notable Projects
Prof. Hirsch has worked on internationally acclaimed productions such as:
"Star Trek into Darkness"
"Game of Thrones"
"Marvel's The Avengers"
His work on "Game of Thrones" Season 2 contributed to a Primetime Emmy Award in 2012.
Educational Philosophy
Prof. Hirsch believes in bridging theory and practice, inspiring passion and interest in his students. His teaching philosophy centers on the idea that education is not about filling a vessel, but igniting a fire.
Research Interests
His research interests span a wide range of cutting-edge topics in visual media:
2D & 3D Animation
Virtual Production
Visual Effects and Compositing
Game Design and Game Art
Mixed Reality (VR, AR)
Machine Learning and AI in visual arts
Cinematography and Visual Storytelling
Awards and Recognitions
Epic Megagrant recipient (2019)
DIVR Award Nomination (2019)
Eyes & Ears Award for Best Special Advertising (2013)
Primetime Emmy Award for Game of Thrones Season 2 (2012)
Prof. Hirsch continues to balance his academic responsibilities with ongoing industry involvement, ensuring his teaching remains current and relevant to the rapidly evolving field of visual media and technology.
Lectures at Media University (formerly HMKW) (2013 - present)
Lighting & Shading (B.A. Game Design and Interactive Media, since 2021)
Modelling & Texturing (B.A. Game Design and Interactive Media, since 2020)
Interactive & Visual Storytelling (B.A. Game Design and Interactive Media, since 2019)
Fotografie (B.A. Graphic Design and Visual Communication, since 2017)
Film- und Postproduktion (B.A. Graphic Design and Visual Communication, since 2016)
Motion Design (B.A. Graphic Design and Visual Communication, since 2016)
Zeitbasierte Medien I & II (B.A. Graphic Design and Visual Communication, 2013-2016)
Kreative Designprozesse (M.A. Communication Design and Creative Strategies, 2018)
Project Workshops at Media University
Generative AI (2023)
Plastische Gestaltung (2022)
Projekt X (Experiment) (2020)
Game Art (B.A. Graphic Design and Visual Communication, 2019)
VR (B.A. Graphic Design and Visual Communication, 2018)
3D (B.A. Graphic Design and Visual Communication, 2016)
Film (B.A. Graphic Design and Visual Communication, 2014)
Lectures at Macromedia University (2014-2015)
Audiovisuelle Medien (B.A. Film and Television)
Special Effects, VFX, Compositing (B.A. Film and Television)
VFX Gestaltung Grundlagen (B.A. Film and Television)
Spezielle Themen der Postproduktion (B.A. Film and Television)
Guest Lectures
The Future of VFX (HFF München, 2020)
Filmography
Die Geschichte der Menschheit - leicht gekürzt (2022, Dir: Eric Haffner)
Cloudy Clouds (2021, Dir: Christian Schäfer)
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013, Dir: J.J. Abrams)
Borgia (2014, TV Series)
Looper (2012, Dir: Rian Johnson)
Game of Thrones (2012, TV Series)
The Avengers (2012, Dir: Joss Whedon)
Zettl (2012, Dir: Helmut Dietl)
Der Turm (2012, Dir: Christian Schwochow)
Hotel Lux (2011, Dir: Leander Haußmann)
Männerherzen... und die ganz ganz große Liebe (2011, Dir: Simon Verhoeven)
Visus-Expedition Arche Noah (2011, Dir: Tobi Baumann)
Innocent Saturday (2011, Dir: Aleksandr Mindadze)
Westflug - Entführung aus Liebe (2010, Dir: Thomas Jauch)
The Last Airbender (2010, Dir: M. Night Shyamalan)
Hier kommt Lola (2010, Dir: Franziska Buch)
The Ghost Writer (2010, Dir: Roman Polanski)
Das Geheimnis der Wale (2010, Dir: Philipp Kadelbach)
Clouds Over the Hill (2009, TV Series)
2012 (2009, Dir: Roland Emmerich)
Berlin '36 (2009, Dir: Kaspar Heidelbach)
Wickie und die starken Männer (2009, Dir: Michael Bully Herbig)
Die Jahrhundertlawine (2008, Dir: Jörg Lühdorff)
1 1/2 Ritter - Auf der Suche nach der hinreißenden Herzelinde (2008, Dir: Til Schweiger)
U-900 (2008, Dir: Sven Unterwaldt Jr.)
Die Jagd nach dem Schatz der Nibelungen (2008, Dir: Ralf Huettner)
Das Papstattentat (2007, Dir: Rainer Matsutani)
Die wilden Kerle 5 (2007, Dir: Joachim Masannek)
(T)Raumschiff Surprise - Periode 1 (2004, Dir: Michael Bully Herbig)