What Is Virtual Set Design?

Alright, we all watch the new right? And in the news segments there are all these amazing backgrounds behind the reporters and what about the weather reports, we all see them and the graphics for the rain and the clouds and where it is sunny or snowing. Even behind the news reporters there are certain backdrops, we all do know that the background is not really real, right? Well most of the time it is not real. But have you ever wondered where these amazing sets came from?

This art of creating virtual sets is actually a very legitimate profession called virtual set designing. The art of creating such virtual sets is quickly becoming a  very popular art form and artists becoming interested in mastering this section. Even prestigious schools like the AAFT School of Animation and more are offering courses for students who want a career in this profession.

The reality is that in today's time of technology and such advancements, these virtual sets are in high demand. Almost every part of the entertainment sector is looking for trained professionals. From young start- up, that are starting up their channel on popular social media sites, to the more established networks, all are in need of such designers.

A virtual set design is pretty self explanatory, in that it is not a real and solid structure unlike some sets are. A virtual set is something that a designer creates to allow more flexibility and creativity while not having to spend time and money on expensive sets. From movies to news programs to television shows and even people who are just posting video on the internet. Virtual sets are proving to be quite popular with networks and designers.

And it is proving to be a lucrative profession for many people, one can just look up the top 10 Animation Colleges over the world, and virtual set designing can be found everywhere.

How Important Are Drawing Skills For Animation

As an animator, I get am frequently asked by aspiring animators how important it is to have sketching or drawing skills to be successful in the field of animation. Well, yes, if you are into 2G animation, then you it is imperative to have sound drawing skills. If in 3D it is not a mandatory, but yes, sketching out ideas is always of great help.

To begin with, you need to know the 3D animation production procedure. In an animation production studio working for 3D animations, there are distinct departments for pre-production, modeling, texturing, animation, rigging, lighting, rendering, FX animation, compositing, and in the end editing. 

Barring the rendering, editing, and FX animation departments, others are somehow or the other linked to artistic skills like that of drawing and painting. They also need photography from time to time. I graduated from a renowned Animation institute in Delhi; it was there I learnt that there are separate techniques for 2D & 3D animation techniques. And yes, you will need a fair amount of drawing skills if you are a student in any such institutions.
 

Although not knowing how to draw is not a huge barrier in your way of becoming a successful animator, you must know the bare minimum of drawing as it is important for a character animator to know about it. If you happen to land up in one of the top 10 animation colleges in India you are sure to learn the tactics of drawing the facial expressions required for character animation.

Animation, as an industry, is probably the best platform for enthusiasts to exercise their creativity and project their ideas in front of the world. Not knowing how to draw is not a huge drawback. The key to this industry is a fresh, creative and imaginative mind. So go for it!