A visual development program allows artists to nurture their creativity, learn art theory and explore a variety of media. This helps students build a portfolio that showcases their best work to prospective employers.

A good illustration school can offer students an immersive experience that leads to a BFA with a General Illustration or Visual Development Emphasis. It can also provide access to painting and drawing studios and specialized technology.

Become a Visual Development Artist

A visual development artist works in many different types of media formats. From animation to video gaming, their scope is so vast that it allows them a level of professional creative control that can be rare. Visual development artists are the driving force behind an animated movie’s aesthetic. They help design the worlds their characters will live in and choose the best designs for landscapes, lighting, props, and character design to align with a production’s intended tone and message. This includes completing character sketches, cinematic thumbnails, value and lighting studies, color roughs, and final production paintings. They also work with the art director and other production teams to determine the overall look of a project. This career requires a bachelor’s degree in a visual arts field like fine art, graphic design, or computer art. Some schools offer visual development degrees specifically tailored to the needs of this industry. Getting an internship can also be helpful to get hands-on experience and develop a network of connections. This will make it easier to find employment after graduating from a visual development program.

Become a Graphic Designer

A visual design artist specializes in creating characters and environments for television shows, video games, and movies. They use their artistic abilities to design a specific atmosphere for each scene and match the theme of the storyline.

Choosing the right school can be difficult, but the best depends on your skill level and the type of vis dev art you want to focus on. Look for schools that offer work immersion programs and internships, so you can see what your future career will be like outside of the classroom. In addition, choose a school like the Academy of Art University with faculty members with years of industry experience and leaders in their field.

Become an Animator

Once a field for skilled cartoonists, animation is now available to anyone with a strong desire to learn. It’s a fast-growing industry that offers many opportunities and is well-suited for people with artistic skills who are perceptive of human behavior and can recreate facial expressions. Animators also need to be able to work with others since most productions are team projects. It can take weeks to produce just a short video. The final product results from many people’s hard work, from concept artists and modelers to storyboard artists and sound designers. A career in visual development can be extremely rewarding, and having a good portfolio to show potential employers is important. Your portfolio should include personal projects, a demo reel (videos showcasing your best work), and a resume summarizing your experience. Ensure your demo reel includes a breakdown showing how each piece was created. Many animation companies will require this information to see your exact skill set. You should also attend international gatherings like the SIGGRAPH and VIEW Conferences to meet other animators and find job openings.

Become a Character Designer

A character designer creates characters that make a lasting impression on viewers and players. These designers use their knowledge of anatomy, proportions and illustration techniques to craft a vision for the surface and then translate it into a final design. They also need to be creative and able to think outside of the box. This is especially true when designing creatures or people that don’t exist in real life. The smallest details, such as the shape of an eyebrow or a freckle, can be significant in creating a unique visual style that sets an expert character designer apart. Regardless of your educational path to becoming a character designer, it’s important to have a strong portfolio showing off your skills and artistic abilities. Your portfolio should include a range of work, from quick sketches to finished pieces. It should also feature a variety of facial expressions, poses and body language. Character designers often collaborate with other artists and professionals, so communication skills are essential. They should also be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

Become a Concept Artist

If you dream of designing the unique creatures, futuristic vehicles or imaginary worlds you see in animated films and video games, a career as a concept artist may be your calling. These artistic professionals bridge the gap between imagination and reality, imagining what is needed to be created and then sketching it out to lay the foundation for the rest of the production team. Generally, a concept artist is given a brief by the art director or creative director. This could be anything from the character’s personality to specific visual features. Then the artist starts thumbnailing rough ideas, and once they’ve settled on a few cool designs, they move on to digitally painting them. Artists in any field must build a portfolio of their best work to demonstrate their skills. Getting involved in online contests and networking events is also helpful, especially when looking to break into the concept design industry. As with any professional artistic field, the industry can be competitive, so establishing connections is crucial.