Today’s blockbusters are overwhelmingly reliant on Visual Effects. Big budget franchises like Star Wars, Marvel and DC Comics, depend on highly creative and realistic effects to satisfy for more immersive and unique experiences.

As such, VFX has the potential to make or break the success of a film like never before, increasing the importance of the post-production process to film producers and directors.

If you are creative and imaginative, a degree in visual arts could be just what you are looking for to express yourself. This is a complex professional field with many specialisations. It is not a mundane field with similar deliverables for the entire work force.

If you decide to focus on visual arts, the skills you gain during your degree are expected to be highly valued and flexible to many sectors, including dedicated art careers as well as many general graduate roles. Apart from the range of creative and technical skills, such graduates acquire good logical, observational and research skills and an aptitude to solve problems.

Students will find it beneficial to have a diverse collection of work to showcase it to their potential employers, including original ideas as well as work developed with the courseware. A visual art student should network at every prospect all through their studies and find ways to present their work in public domain by participating in competitions and exhibitions.

The term visual artist is a broad term that refers to individuals working as animators, digital compositors, game developers, fine art or multimedia artists and graphic designers amongst other professions.

The job can include a variety of diverse disciplines including digital/analogue drawing, digital/analogue painting, digital/analogue sculpting, graphic design, digital photography and film amongst others. Many visual artists work independently to create works that convey emotion, ideas or information.
Visual artist professionals can focus on the following specialisations to enhance their skills:

Animator/3D designer: Technology is moving at a fast pace, and developments are creating avenues for animation/3D designers such as advertising, healthcare, cosplay, prop making, photorealism, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, etc.

Virtual reality offers us a new way to create new design; the ability to play an active part in the creation process. Developments in cloud computing are also making tasks easier and more accessible, reducing time spent on technological tasks and empowering freelance artists to access industry-leading tools from anywhere in the world.

VFX artist/digital compositors: Digital compositors are responsible for constructing the final image by combining layers of previously-created computer-generated imagery from various sources including rendered computer animation, special effects, graphics, 2D animation, live action and static background plates.

Although it is primarily a 2D role within the 3D world of CGI and VFX, compositors need a thorough understanding of the computer-generated animation process combined with relevant artistic skills.

They creatively combine all the elements into the final image, ensuring that the visual design of the project is respected and continuity is maintained. They ensure that all levels combine together seamlessly using various processes like keying, rotoscoping, tracking, etc.

Game development: Digital game development is fast becoming a bright career option for the youth. Although India seems to be lagging behind in terms of game developers, a recent study by Nasscom revealed that the Indian gaming industry is close to $ 890 million.

This presents a huge business, career opportunity. The increase in popularity of smartphones in the Indian market, the gaming industry is set for a steady rise as the youth are now looking at video games as not just a form of recreation but also as a way to test their skills and talent.

It has been anticipated that the number of jobs for artists will grow like many other potential sectors. Also the rising presence of digital and social media will contribute to the growth and create wider opportunities.

This is an extremely creative career, however one must be conscious that success in this field, as in all the arts will perhaps depend as much on one’s skill and aptitude to network as well as market his own artistic talent.

In addition to understanding basic art principles, individual disciplines need their own set of skills. Key merits for art directors include excellent communication skills and the talent to work collaboratively with other professionals. Business, marketing and interpersonal skills are assets for professionals who are ambitious and are willing to walk an extra mile and be successful in this highly competitive field.

Bachelor of visual arts programme includes creative and technical education as well as practical implementation with focus on a specific discipline. Individual programmes may culminate in professional assortment that provides proof of a student’s marketable skills. Honing of skills will be found through apprenticeships, internships and mentoring opportunities.

Salaries of visual artists vary widely. However, discipline and perseverance are vital for success. Confidence in ones abilities, enthusiasm about ones work and skills to deliver in the visual medium contribute to success.

Every visual artist earns significant amount as an independent artist or as an employee of an organisation. This is a creative career that pays rich dividends as one progresses over the years gaining experience in ones chosen specialisation.

The writer is HOD, visual arts, Mananv Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies