Ep-19: Visual Development Artist ft. Jay Thakur on UNSETTLING by Amrita Sukumar

The UNSETTLING Podcast

"A work of art doesn’t exist outside the perception of the audience."

Episode 19 is a conversation with Jay Thakur who is Visual Development Artist working with Sony Pictures Animation on Spiderman- Across the Spiderverse. In this episode, we talk about what a Visual Development Artist does, how he comes up with concepts for his designs and the role of observation in being a good designer. He has also spoken about his journey of transitioning from an industrial designer to a visual development artist and the parallels that he has drawn from both fields.

Jay Thakur is a Visual Development Artist who is currently working with Sony Pictures Animation on the upcoming movie, Spiderman- Across the Spiderverse. He worked as a product designer in Denmark and freelance work in India before he moved to LA to work as a VDA. He believes that change is inevitable and constantly stepping out of your comfort zone makes you used to it. This eliminates fear and makes you excited about the unknown.

Talking Points:

1. Role of a visual development artist

2. Coming up with concepts for storyboards

3. Finding a balance between external factors and one's own intuition as a designer

4. Transitioning from an industrial designer to a visual development artist. His journey.

5. Experience of working on Spiderman- Across the Spiderverse with Sony Pictures Animation.

6. Role of observation in a good design

7. His previous work and projects

8. The difference in the perspective of fan theories and the actual concept.

9. Message for the audience

Check out his artwork on:

Website: https://www.jay-thakur.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaythakur/