What is a VFX artist? An in-depth Guide

A big SHOUT OUT to the entertainment industry that has made us witness such magical fantasy worlds and freakish creatures. All that you see is impossible without VFX. 

 

From the Millennium Falcon’s jump to lightspeed in “Star Wars” to the giant Hulk in “The Avengers” and the unbelievable destruction of HomeTree in “Avatar,” you get to see different live-action and CGI elements in these superhits. 

 

But have you ever wondered who the person behind creating all these incredible scenes is?

 

All the credit goes to the VFX artists who have made us believe THE UNREAL.

 

“Visual Effects (VFX) artists are professionals who create and incorporate realistic visuals and elements into live-action films, video games, television shows, and other media to create a sense of realism and immersion.”  

 

 

Continue reading this blog if you want to explore more about VFX artists, understand their role, and the impact of VFX on the entertainment industry. 

 

What is a VFX artist?

 

VFX or visual effects artists are specialists who create out-of-the-world and impossible-to-film digital assets like scenes, characters, environments, stunts, and other forms of imagery. These creative artists work meticulously to make visuals as realistic as possible to provide a breathtaking experience to the viewers. 

 

From video games to movies, television series, and even commercials, you will see that VFX is ubiquitous - found everywhere. 

 

The flying dragons in Games of Thrones, the iconic “bullet time” effect in The Matrix, and the stunning environmental destruction in The Witcher 3, all these are some of the greatest examples of VFX that you have seen on your screens. 

 

Do You Know? 

 

Global Animation, VFX & Game Market Size is Projected to Reach US$ 517.04 Bn by 2027.

 

And this is incredibly FANTASTIC with the rising popularity of VFX in the video game industry as you will make yourself more invested in characters and stories for a thrilling experience. 

 

What Does A VFX Artist Do?

 

All the work you see on your screens, either in movies or video games, is not just one person's effort. But there is a whole panel involved in creating the majestic scenes. VFX artists work closely with the director, cinematographer, and other production team members to bring their creative visions to life through visual effects.

 

The role of a VFX artist is highly technical and creative and requires a combination of skills in computer graphics software and a strong eye for detail to create the most attractive VFX. In general, VFX artists are involved in a variety of tasks, such as:

 

• Conceptualization
• Creation
• Compositing
• Animation of characters and objects
• Rigging and Skinning
• Lighting and Shading

 

Conceptualizing

 

VFX artists collaborate with the director and other production team members to plan how the visual effects will be created and included in the final product.

 

Creating 

 

VFX artists employ a variety of software and techniques to create interactive special effects such as fire, smoke, explosion, and other natural phenomena.

 

Compositing

 

Visual effects artists combine live-action footage with digital assets seamlessly to bring together the most realistic shot of a film or a game. 

 

Animating Characters and Objects

 

VFX artists use keyframe animation and other techniques to create lifelike movements and interactions for characters and objects in games or movies. 

 

Rigging and Skinning

 

VFX artists also create and fine-tune the "skeleton" and skin for characters and objects for the games or movies to ensure their realistic movement and interaction. 

 

Lighting and Shading

 

When it comes to lighting and shading, VFX artists showcase their creativity for lights and shading to make the environment look as natural as possible. 

 

Let’s move on to the behind-the-scenes of creating gaming visual effects. 

 

Beyond The Screen: Making Of Cinematic VFX

 

While you are playing your favorite video game, for once, a thought must have come into your mind “what if I could create my own VFX for the video game?”

 

To your surprise, 

 

Yes! You can. 

 

All you have to do is to follow the step-by-step instructions to create your own stunning game VFX.

 

Conceptualization

Start by creating a clear vision of what you want the visual effects to look like and what they should add to the game.

Pick the right tools

Consider the platform you're developing for and choose software tools that support your needs.

Study already existed effects

Consider your effects inspirations and study how they were created. You can also acquire premade assets from online marketplaces.

Experiment with different techniques

Try out different methods for creating VFX, such as particle systems, sprite sheets, and 3D models.

Pay attention to performance

Be mindful of VFX performance. Avoid using too many particle systems or high-polygon models that may slow down the game.

Iterate and refine

Keep refining and iterating on your VFX until they meet your standards and fit the game well.

Test and debug

Test your VFX in-game to ensure they work correctly and fix any bugs or issues.

Polish and optimize

Finally, polish and optimize your VFX to make sure they look great and run smoothly in the game.

 

All the incredible superpowers, real explosions, and phenomenal weather effects that catch your attention in the games are actually created by following these steps. 

 

In a nutshell, 

 

“The process of creating game VFX is a complex and intricate journey that requires a high level of creativity, technical skill, and collaboration between the VFX team and the game development team. From ideation to implementation, every step plays a critical role in bringing the game world to life and immersing players in an unforgettable experience”.

 

Understanding The Role Of VFX Artist In The Gaming

 

In the entertainment industry, two different types of VFX artists work on creating and implementing visual effects into video games.

 

Real-time VFX Artist and CGI VFX Artist.

 

Although both artists create visual effects, they differ in their respective industries. 

 

Real-time VFX artists work in the gaming sector, where they create dynamic visual effects designed to be rendered in real-time as the game is played. And then the visual effects are optimized for performance. 

 

While on the other hand, 

 

CGI VFX artists work in the  film and television industry, where they create special effects rendered using computer-generated imagery (CGI). These effects are in higher resolution than real-time VFX and are not optimized for real-time performance.

 

Have you ever imagined what would be your gaming experience if visual effect artists did not add any good VFX? Or no VFX at all?

 

Obviously, your gaming will be very ordinary. 

 

Let's ride you through an example from the early days of gaming, Paca Pong, and Space Invaders. 

 

 

Source: Pacapong

 

 

Source: Space Invaders

 

You see that both these games have simple graphics and limited visual effects. In these early video games, VFX artists relied entirely on minimal shapes and colors to create graphics. They did not include sophisticated visual effects made today with advanced VFX technology.

 

Compare these old time games with the today’s recent hits like The Last of Us Part II, God of War 2018, and Cyberpunk 2077, you will find yourself immerse in these games to such an extent as these games are loaded with striking VFX features like lifelike characters, highly detailed environments, and visually impressive graphics. 

 

 

Chase Your Dream Of Becoming A Professional VFX Artist

 

Do you have a strong interest in video games or have a passion for creating unbelievable visual effects? If yes, becoming an expert game VFX artist is your perfect career path. Here we have narrowed down some valuable tips that will serve as an ideal way to build a career as a VFX artist in gaming. 

 

Develop your artistic skills

 

As a game VFX artist, you'll be responsible for creating next-level visuals that capture the player's attention at first sight. Start by practicing and shaping your artistic skills to achieve this. Remember to learn art fundamentals, such as composition, color theory, and lighting, which is a plus.

 

Get to know software and tools

 

Familiarize yourself with the game VFX software and tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, Maya, 3ds Max, and Houdini. These tools will help you create particle systems, simulations, and other VFX techniques essential to your game development projects. 

 

Build a great portfolio

 

Having a portfolio of your work is essential while applying for game VFX artist jobs. Show off your creativity, range of skills, and ability to work with different styles and techniques in your portfolio to your clients willing to work with you. 

 

Don't forget to get relevant education

 

Pursue formal education in art, animation, computer graphics, or a related field. Consider enrolling in a specialized VFX program that entirely focuses on game development. Having an education is a plus that will help you refine your skills and learn innovative VFX techniques.

 

Network, Network, Network

 

Do you want to have a good connection with industry experts? Network! 

 

Attend industry events and connect with the game VFX artists, recruiters, and professionals in the field. Join online forums and social media groups dedicated to game development to stay up-to-date on trends, techniques, and job opportunities. 

 

Top Inspiring Examples of VFX in Gaming

 

Many inspiring examples of VFX in gaming have set new standards for visual storytelling and immersive experiences. 

 

The Last of Us Part II

 

 

The Last of Us Part II used VFX to create a post-apocalyptic world that is both beautiful and haunting. 

 

Death Stranding

 

 

Death Stranding is a game that uses VFX to create a surreal and haunting world. 

 

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

 

 

Hellblade Senua's Sacrifice uses VFX to create a unique, immersive world that blurs the line between reality and fantasy. The game's VFX team created stunning environmental effects, such as the game's dark and twisted environments.

 

Wrap Up

 

As technology continues to flourish and new mediums for visual storytelling emerge, the art of visual effects will undoubtedly continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in games, films, TV, and beyond. Whether you're a seasoned VFX artist or just starting to explore the field, the art of visual effects offers endless opportunities for creativity and innovation. We can't wait to witness what the future holds.

 

Winding up our thoughts with,

 

The art of visual effects is a fascinating and constantly evolving field that requires a unique combination of technical skill, creativity, and innovation. 

 

And if you have it,

 

You’re good to GO then!