Visual Effects (VFX) and Animation has been a popular field among many students especially in the last decade. Newer technologies and softwares in the field of VFX and animation has influenced many students to join the B.Sc Visual Effects (VFX) and Animation course. The field offers a good number of roles for the skilled and talented students.
Some of the important careers available in this field are:
Graphic Designer
As a graphic designer one is responsible to create eye-catching visuals and show creative skills. The graphic designers work on a variety of products and activities such as websites, advertising, books, magazines, posters, computer games, product packaging, exhibitions and displays, corporate communication and corporate identity.
Role of a Graphic Designer
As a Graphic designer one is essential to have some critical characteristics such as creative flair, up to date knowledge of the graphic and animation industry and a professional approach to time, costs and deadlines. The Graphic Designers are also responsible to create promotional content and creatives for posters, brochures, social media platforms, pamphlets, handouts, etc.
Responsibilities of the Graphic Designers
As a graphic designer one is responsible to:
- Meet the clients or account managers to discuss business objectives and requirements of the role
- Estimate the time required to complete a job and provide designs according to the client requirements
- Develop and design briefs that suit the client requirements
- Thinking creatively to generate new ideas and concepts and develop interactive design
- Use innovation to redefine a design brief with time and cost constraints
- Present finalised ideas and concepts for the clients and account managers
- Demonstrating illustrative skills with rough sketches and working on layouts and make them ready for printing
- Work and coordinate with the printers, copywriters, photographers, stylists, illustrators, other designers, account executives, web developers and marketing specialists
- Be updated with the latest technologies and softwares available in the industry
Animator
As an animator one is required to exhibit high levels of creativity in developing 2D and 3D models and characters for a game or a movie sequence. As an animator one is required to have excellent artistic ability and a good technical knowledge of computers and softwares.
Roles of an Animator
An animator produces multiple images called frames, which when sequenced together create an illusion of movement called animation. Animators tend to work in 2D and 3D models and create computer generated animation.
Responsibilities of an Animator
As an Animator one is responsible to:
- Coordinating with clients and developing animation from their concepts
- Creating storyboards that depict the script and narrative
- Drawing in 2D to create sketches, artwork or illustrations
- Designing in 2D to create sketches, artwork or illustrations
- Designing models, backgrounds, sets, characters, objects and the animation environment
- Using a range of materials including modelling clay, plaster oil paints watercolors and acrylics
- Developing the timing and pace of the movements of a character or object during the sequence of images and ensuring they follow the sound track and audio requirements
- Using technical software packages such as flash, 3ds Max, Maya, LightWave Softimage and Cinema 4D
- Building up accurate, detailed frame by frame visuals
Concept Artists
The concept artists are responsible to apply their creative skills and imagination to develop people, creatures, places and moods for an animation sequence or a story.
Role of the Concept Artists
The Concept Artists are required to provide sketches of characters, environment, according to the sequence. They are responsible to visualise a story or a sequence and ensure that the theme of the animated film is justified. They can work in diverse areas of visual media such as animation, comic books and films, etc.
Responsibilities of the Concept Artists
As a concept artist one is expected to:
- Create quick and detailed drawings and paintings of environments, characters, buildings, vehicles and props
- Use traditional and technological approaches to create designs in 2D and 3D through drawings and paintings
- Efficiently interpret the briefs
- Use creativity and develop unique characters for an animation plot
- Develop technical skills and confidently work with various animation softwares like Adobe Photoshop, Maya, SketchUp, etc
- Create specifications accurately noting dimensions and details for others to follow
Visual Effects Artist (VFX)
As a VFX artist one is responsible to create photoreal digitally generated imagery and seamlessly integrate them into live action in films, television and increasingly online and console gaming and make it look realistic in nature.
Role of a VFX Artist
The Visual Effects (VFX) artists use the latest technology to produce computer generated creatures, crowds and stunt doubles. As a VFX artist one has to create an excellent imagery and he/she should make sure that it creates an impact so that the viewer believes that it is a real one when he/she sees it on the screen.
Responsibilities of an VFX Artist
As an VFX artist one is required to:
- Create high-quality performant visuals, within budgets
- Be dependable and able to hit the deadlines
- Conceptualise, design and create cutting edge special effects including particle effects, dynamic simulations and shader effects
- Be able to take direction and feedback well from composite leads and VFX supervisors
- Work with producer, lead artists and supervisors to track and manage the workflow through the departments
- Organise dailies, rounds and meetings taking notes and following up on information as necessary
- Communicate information quickly and succinctly to crew and other departments regularly
- Maintain an accurate summary of progress from the previous day’s work by artists
- Oversee the execution of client deliveries of all temps and finals
- Be updated with latest technologies and latest happenings in the VFX and animation industry
Earning Potential
As a B.Sc Visual Effects (VFX) and Animation student one will be earning around 5 lakhs to 12 lakhs per annum. The salary varies according to their experience and skill.
Concluding Words
The Visual Effects (VFX) is gaining a lot of importance in recent years. The VFX artists mainly work in the film and television industry. The demand for quality content is increasing day by day and viewers are expecting high quality VFX movies for their entertainment. This has created a room for many skilled professionals to work on their creativity and develop a quality content. Today, movies with VFX effects are making noise internationally. So, there is a great demand for VFX artists in both film and television industry.
The students who are interested to show their creativity in the film and television industry using VFX effects can join the B.Sc Visual Effects and Animation course.