As a beginner VFX artist (I’m still learning) how important is it for me to learn about Vectors? For me to be able to get a job what topics should I cover? I had started my journey with Unity’s Shuriken and currently I’m learning VFX Graph, building my portfolio while I learn and create stuff.
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Heyo!
If you are starting out, you don’t have to worry about Vectors too much, they will come to your understanding with time the more you use them 
so I wouldn’t specifically focus on them, rather on other things.
Hmm there is no one way recipe to get a job, each company requires different things. Styles make requirements much different too etc.
There are overall skills that translate between all of them like: art theory (especially timing), knowledge of engine: Unity/UE (particle system, shadergraph, implementation of vfx) and some soft skills like communication and receiving feedback (worth posting your works in rtvfx and applying feedback you get from other artists, it’s one of the quickest ways to improve).
But I personally would say that learning VFX to solely get a job can be quite a sad and depressing path and it can take long as it’s unpredictable now. So I would recommend leading your work with passion! Do VFX that fascinates you and experiment As long as you have fun, it will make the learning process much easier and same with the job search.
I’m honestly a bit tired personally of seeing lots of juniors just doing same kind of effects they find from courses to land a job. If I’m looking for potential artists I look more into creativity and if they would be fun to work with, so that might be the direction you would like to follow.
Some good examples of other juniors I know:
- https://www.artstation.com/artwork/zxnrJQ
- https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8BdOOx
- https://www.artstation.com/artwork/mAnE6E
Enjoy your journey!!!
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Hey Manus! Thank you for the insightful reply! Will try to incorporate experimentation once I learn the basics. While learning Shuriken it was definitely fun, built a few stuffs on my own. Basically I wanted to know where I stand when the amount of knowledge is considered. And I’m definitely not learning just to land a job, I guess I misphrased that (my bad 
) I just wanted to get an idea as to what all tools and knowledge is required, which industry people already possess, to at least build a decent effect. If there’s something I wouldn’t have enjoyed, I would have dropped the idea of learning further right after learning Shuriken without a second thought. So far it’s been fun, though. Anyway, thank you, again. 
This was helpful.
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Oh I’m so happy to hear!
Sorry if you felt judged by my message :c
As I mentioned previously it’s hard to even point thresholds of what you should know as there are so many things to consider.
But if you post your effects then I’m happy to give you some directions!
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Oh no I haven’t… no worries
Below is my portfolio. Do let me know what can be improved or if I’m moving in the right direction.
https://www.artstation.com/u1dd0305e
Thank you! 
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Ah I see!
So you are still in stage of getting comfortable with particle systems and shaders.
Good beginnings
If I were you, I would continue on getting comfortable with them and probably slowly getting into effects that have a specific intent.
Good examples are trying to recreate things like fire, electricity, wind, water from references (either realistic or stylized, doesn’t matter). And it doesn’t have to look like reference, just try to observer for the substances work, how they move, how they handle colors and values etc and try to replicate that.
And keep them simple and small, it’s just an exercise to train your eye and ability to breakdown elements (one of most important skills later).
Here’s an example, it’s handdrawn, but just wanted to show what I mean: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/ZePO00
And don’t worry, first attempts might go very wrong It’s hard to do those elements well (electricity might be fun in shuriken, play with trails and noise that has high frequency and then adding high emissive values).
But otherwise, keep on watching courses/tutorials and just trying out stuff so you have more insight on how to do things 
All the best <3
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Thank you so much! This will be really helpful for my journey! 
Much love!
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I largely agree with Manus. Here are my 2 cents.
You don’t necessarily need to be “having fun”. As long as you don’t feel forcing yourself to undergo the learning process, it’s already a positive sign.
If your goal is to land a job offer as an effect artist, your first objective is to create a visually showstopping reel and portfolio. Although I can only speak for the Japanese market, unless you’re applying for a technical artist position, your knowledge of linear algebra (vector maths) would unlikely be tested during the job interview. I suppose this stays true in the rest of the world (with the sole exception of China possibly).
This is only relevant when you have successfully got into the industry: if the developing tool is something more advanced like Unity’s VFX Graph or UE’s Niagara, then there is a strong incentive to learn the basics of linear algebra. From my own experience, like Houdini, these tools give artists too much freedom to the point the artists are often overwhelmed and end up incorrectly utilize the tools which might look ok in one occasion but completely broken when viewed from a different angle.
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Thank you very much! So, it largely depends on the kind of requirements. Then I can focus on these topics once I’m a little deep into the industry. Thanks!
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