MAGES Earns Global Recognition – The Rookies 2025

A Global Milestone

This year has brought a proud moment for Singapore’s creative community. MAGES Institute has been listed in The Rookies 2025 Global Creative Schools Ranking – 10th Worldwide for Concept Art and 45th overall.

For students and mentors, this feels less like a trophy and more like a quiet reminder of how far persistence can go. 

It’s the result of sketchbooks filled, projects revised, and ideas debated long after class hours ended. Every bit of that effort shows.

About The Rookies Awards

If you follow creative education, you’ve probably heard of The Rookies. It isn’t a marketing contest but an international benchmark for new talent in digital art, games, animation, and design. 

Each year, hundreds of schools send in portfolios that are judged by industry veterans from top studios.

What makes the list credible is its fairness. There’s no weighting for publicity or size; the rankings depend entirely on student work – how original, polished, and production-ready it feels. That’s why a place on this chart carries genuine weight.

MAGES’ Journey of Excellence

MAGES started small, with a single idea: that creative education should prepare students for the world outside the classroom. 

Over the years, it has grown into a global name, earning earlier mentions in Game Art, 3D Animation, and Concept Design categories before reaching this milestone.

Its alumni now work in studios from Singapore to Europe, building games, visual effects, and immersive experiences. 

Many of them still stay connected, mentoring new students and reviewing portfolios. The school’s rise has been steady rather than sudden – built on small, continuous steps forward.

The MAGES Philosophy – Focus on Outcomes

At MAGES, art and employability go hand in hand. The programs are structured around industry practice, not theory alone. 

Students learn to manage timelines, take critique, and build assets that fit real pipelines.

Michelle Guenther., Entertainment design student, recalls, “The feedback sessions were intense. You’d think you were done, and then someone would ask, ‘But what story are you trying to tell?’ That question changes everything.”

This culture of constant reflection keeps the learning authentic — less about perfection, more about growth.

Employability and Industry Impact

A degree means little without opportunity, and MAGES has made employability its strongest pillar. 

Through internships and collaborative studio projects, students get hands-on exposure to real deadlines.

Graduates have joined international gaming companies, production houses, and XR start-ups. Employers often mention that MAGES alumni come in ready to contribute from day one.

Titus Tun Senzhi., now working abroad, said, “The first week at my studio felt familiar — the workflow, the critique rounds, even the pressure. MAGES had already prepared us for that rhythm.”

Voices of Gratitude and Inspiration

Recognition is sweet, but hearing from those who built the journey makes it richer.

“I joined MAGES thinking I’d just sharpen my drawing,” says Ritika P., another Concept Art student. “Somewhere along the way, I found confidence. This global ranking feels like proof that the long nights mattered.”

Elliot Norris Anderson., an alumnus, adds, “MAGES have a very creative approach toward game designing. They’re up-to-date with new technology and advancements, which makes them stand apart”.

Their words carry the real meaning behind the ranking — skill, effort, and heart.

The Road Ahead

The institute continues to evolve with new tools, partnerships, and mentorships, while maintaining its focus on what truly matters – helping students turn their imagination into a career.

Aspiring artists looking to step into Concept Art, Game Design, or 3D Animation can now apply for the next intake.

Build, learn, and create with those who’ve proven it possible – your journey begins at MAGES.