Thomas Haegele studied visual communications, political and social sciences and German literature. After working as a freelance artist and Creative Director, he established Polygon, one of the first German production houses for professional computer animation.
Since its formation in 1991, he has been professor for Animation and Visual Effects at Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg. Today, he is the Director of the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Postproduction, as well as the Deputy Managing Director of the Filmakademie. He is also the founder and conference chair of FMX, Europe's most influential Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Transmedia.