The word “visual development” can be is used in many different settings. As a result, most people may be perplexed about what visual development stands for. If we were to put it plainly, visual development is the foundation for all forms of visual art, including graphic design, concept art, animation, illustration, and video gaming.
A visual development artist’s work allows them to exercise a degree of professional creativity autonomy that is uncommon. It’s because their work is adaptable to a wide range of media types.
Every item of animated films’ mood, tone, and color palette is created by visual development artists. It may encompass everything from scenery to people to dress to objects. The work is challenging, but it also gives you a lot of leeway in creating an imaginative universe from scratch.
Who is a Visual Development Artist?
A visual development artist is a multimedia artist in charge of building a realistic and cinematic environment for motion pictures, television, and video games, among other kinds of creative entertainment.
They set the setting’s tone, atmosphere, and color palette, ensuring that these components are consistent with the project’s plot and genre. They bring the director’s ideas to life and elicit an emotional response to the show’s premise and central message.
Their roles include animator, art director, lighting and color key, costume designing, visual development lead, environment design artist, etc.
What Does a Visual Development Artist Do?
Depending on their specific function, visual development artists are responsible for several tasks. For example, when working with animation, they give ideas for how the animated world should appear and feel depending on the plot, action, and characters.
Even small details can help establish the tone for the story and character development, and storytelling. Many films rely on shifts in backdrop color or lighting to propel the plot forward. When the activity heats up, chilly blues or greens, for example, change to a wild orange or red.
Certain time-tested retellings of great stories would be very different without their costume, lighting, and set design decisions. For example, visual development artists were widely used to arrange and color each scene in Disney’s modern-day rendition of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. The films were a box office success thanks to their efforts.
What are the Skills of a Visual Development Artist?
There are specific skills you need to have to become a visual development artist. However, most visual development artists employ illustration, animation, painting, sketching, and graphic design talents to bring creative ideas to life. In addition, video game and programming experience is also advantageous in this field.
Remember, you will also have to do a lot of 2D or 3D work, and you will have to master applications like Photoshop and Maya to create drafts and fine-tune designs.
How to Become a Visual Development Artist
Visual development is not quite an easy skill to perceive. You would need to be persistent and patient. However, to perceive the craft, you will also need proper guidance and recognition.
Get a Degree
It is critical to have a thorough grasp of graphic design, animation, and illustration for a visual development artist. The proper basics of these concepts will assist you in doing your job more efficiently. Study graphic design, fine art, communication, or animation to get a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the visual arts. These degrees might help you get a solid foundation in this industry.
Discover Different Majors
Like we have already seen, there are many different sectors in the field of visual development. You have to decide what kind of visual development artist you want to be. Consider which of your design abilities you like the best.
Allow your studies, research, and experiences to guide you in determining which area of visual development most interests you while you seek a degree. As an example, you could choose to specialize in environment design or creative direction.
Get an Internship Experience
Next, you need to consider interning for an excellent agency to obtain significant hands-on experience and to further your visual development artist abilities. Internships in animation studios or independent production companies, for example, may be available.
As you enter the profession of visual development, you’ll be able to add this experience to your resume. An internship might also assist you in networking with other creative professionals in your sector.
Build a Solid Portfolio
It is essential to have a portfolio when you enter the market. So, you need to make a portfolio that appropriately demonstrates your technical expertise in this field. Remember, to emphasize yourself as a qualified applicant for the job you are applying to, provide your most spectacular work, including professional projects and internship work.
Also, include portions that are most relevant to the position you are looking for. Showcase your expertise working in a comparable place if you are seeking a job with an animated TV program.
Build Your Network
Finally, you need to look for opportunities to network with professionals in your field. It’s necessary for career advancement in any area. Attending relevant events or panels is a good idea in the field of visual development.
You may also network online by connecting with other professionals who share your interests in the field. It is important to remember, some of the contacts you make may lead to future work possibilities.
Final Thoughts
A career in the field of visual development can be highly competitive. To be a successful visual development artist, you need to have exceptional experience and an impressive portfolio. While you are receiving your academic guidance to perceive the skills, you must gather first-hand experience. These practical experiences will strengthen your knowledge and creativity.
