The Case for Hiring Lighting Artists from Animation and VFX
The Untapped Potential of Lighting Artists for Non-Entertainment Workflows
Most of my articles are geared towards 3D Artists from VFX, Animation, Gaming, and related fields, helping them navigate the broader 3D ecosystem. However, in this article, I'm flipping the script—this one's for companies and leaders aiming to supercharge their non-entertainment workflows with a more robust 3D pipeline.
So if that sounds like you, let’s dive in.
Transitioning to More 3D
In the evolving landscape of 3D design, companies across industries like product visualization, package design, apparel, footwear, and motion graphics are increasingly adopting 3D workflows. The initial approach for most organizations is to train their existing teams on these new workflows, and that’s a smart move. Your current employees possess irreplaceable knowledge of your company's specific workflows and outputs. Training them on new software is often more efficient than hiring new talent unfamiliar with your company culture. However, even with this approach, you might find your 3D assets lack that elusive 'wow' factor. This is where Lighting Artists come into the picture.
The Unseen Magic of Lighting Artists
Lighting artists are often the unsung heroes of the animation and VFX industries. Their craft goes beyond simply illuminating a scene; it’s about creating mood, evoking emotion, and adding that extra layer of polish that turns a good image into a great one. The difference between a photograph that catches your eye and one that you scroll past on social media often comes down to the lighting. It’s not just about the camera or software used; it's the subtle interplay of light and shadow that adds depth and drama.
In the realm of 3D, Lighting Artists excel at manipulating composition and materials to make every asset look its absolute best. Their job involves taking abstract ideas or moods and bringing them to life, adding a level of artistry that sets professional work apart. They are problem solvers and collaborators, working closely with other artists to enhance the overall quality of a project. In short, they make things look good—consistently and across various mediums.
Why Lighting Artists Are Essential for Elevating 3D Teams
If your goal is to produce 3D assets that truly stand out and captivate your audience, you need the expertise of a Lighting Artist. Consider the following scenarios:
Fashion and Apparel: You're a legacy apparel brand that prides itself on the texture and quality of your materials. With a Lighting Artist, your 3D renders can evoke the same sense of luxury and craftsmanship that your physical products do. Imagine using software like Clo or Browzwear to build your garment and then pass that asset off to an experienced artist to create stunningly realistic visualizations that not only match but potentially exceed the quality of traditional photography. A Lighting Artist can help achieve this by adding depth, richness, and a tactile quality to the digital materials.
Image by Cino Lai Product Visualization: CAD models are often used for internal prototyping and manufacturing in product design. By bringing in a Lighting Artist, these models can be transformed into high-quality visualizations ready for marketing and consumer engagement. Whether it's a sleek smart speaker or industrial equipment, the right lighting can make the product appear more tactile, desirable, and aligned with your brand's identity.
Spatial and Immersive Experiences: For companies venturing into VR, AR, or other immersive experiences, lighting is often the missing ingredient that makes or breaks the user experience. Real-time renderers might provide a basic lighting setup, but a Lighting Artist can manipulate these to add atmosphere and emotional impact, elevating the entire experience.
Motion Graphics: Motion graphics in 3D often involve abstract shapes, text, or elements that benefit significantly from expert lighting. A Lighting Artist can bring these elements to life, focusing attention where it’s needed and enhancing the overall impact of the animation.
Architectural Visualization: While architectural visualization tools can set technically accurate lighting based on time of day, season, and location, a Lighting Artist brings artistry that adds beauty and intrigue. They can accentuate features, guide the viewer's eye, and evoke a sense of place that goes beyond mere technical accuracy.
The Untapped Talent Pool
The entertainment industry is experiencing a downturn, which means many talented Lighting Artists are available and looking for new opportunities. This presents a unique chance for companies outside the traditional film and VFX sectors to tap into this pool of highly skilled professionals. Typically, these artists are quickly absorbed by major studios like ILM or Pixar and remain there for decades, honing their craft. However, with recent market shifts, there is a rare opportunity for other industries to benefit from their expertise.
Integrating Lighting Artists into Your Team
Hiring a Lighting Artist doesn't just elevate the visual quality of your 3D assets; it enhances your entire team's skill set. These artists deeply understand 3D workflows, composition, and materials. They can mentor your existing team, sharing their expertise in crafting visually stunning images while learning about your company’s specific workflows and culture. This knowledge exchange can result in a more cohesive and skilled 3D department capable of consistently producing top-tier work. These artists are trained to make everything look amazing, regardless of the medium, and they are ready to bring their skills to new industries.
Conclusion
If you’re serious about taking your 3D imagery to the next level, now is the perfect time to consider adding a Lighting Artist to your team. These professionals bring polish and professionalism that can transform your visual content, making it more engaging, compelling, and true to your brand. They offer a unique skill set that improves the quality of your 3D assets and enriches your entire team's capabilities.
Need help finding the right Lighting Artist for your team? Feel free to reach out, and I can connect you with some of the best in the industry. Elevate your visuals and let your products and experiences truly stand out in the competitive market.
The 3D Artist Community Updates
Big week in The 3D Artist Community…we have 2 AMAs!
Join us this Wednesday for an AMA with Mikki Rose. Mikki is a Senior Grooming and Character Simulation Artist/Supervisor with 15+ years in animation and VFX working at studios like Sony Picture Imageworks, Blue Sky Studios, Disney Animation, Mikros Animation, and more! She specializes in fur/hair/feather grooming and character simulations. Mikki is also skilled in team leadership, training, and documentation. https://www.kidmikki.com/
On Friday, we have John Foley. John is an expert 3D modeler/generalist with 10 years of NYC experience. Skilled in Maya, ZBrush, Substance, and more, he’s collaborated with top clients like Jeff Koons and Versace. He's currently a Lead 3D Designer at Michael Kors.
3D News of the Week
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The Current State of Generative 3D - LinkedIn
3D Merch is here!
3D Tutorials
3D Job Spreadsheet
Link to Google Doc With A TON of Jobs in Animation (not operated by me)
Hello! Michael Tanzillo here. I am the Head of Technical Artists with the Substance 3D Growth team at Adobe. Previously, I was a Senior Artist on animated films at Blue Sky Studios/Disney with credits including three Ice Age movies, two Rios, Peanuts, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, and Epic.
In addition to his work as an artist, I am the Co-Author of the book Lighting for Animation: The Visual Art of Storytelling and the Co-Founder of The Academy of Animated Art, an online school that has helped hundreds of artists around the world begin careers in Animation, Visual Effects, and Digital Imaging. I also created The 3D Artist Community on Skool and this newsletter.
www.michaeltanzillo.com
Free 3D Tutorials on the Michael Tanzillo YouTube Channel
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article; it beautifully highlights the often overlooked role in a 3D pipeline. As an up-and-coming lighter/look development artist, I am fascinated by the multitude of capabilities we bring to any studio team or production. It's not just about demonstrating expertise in the pipeline and the various roles within it, but also about showcasing a mastery of storytelling through the use of color, tone, intensity, motion, and detail in lighting. While I initially started as a generalist, I didn't truly discover my passion for lighting until I landed my first industry job. Since then, I've been completely engrossed in curating scenes and lighting. At present, I'm focused on honing my skills in light baking and dynamic lighting in Unreal Engine. However, given the current state of the industry, I find myself needing to acquire more tech-oriented skills to distinguish myself from other candidates in the competitive job market.