Here are a selection of stocking fillers which will make any VFX or CG artist happy.
One of the problems of trying to buy gifts for CG and VFX artist is that everything they want seems so expensive. Fear not, here are 10 ideas for stocking fillers to give your pixel pusher a present they'll love without breaking the bank.
Speaking of USB sticks, this Mix Tape example may not be particularly practical, but it would be great for pitch or client deliveries. As well as a great retro way to archive work, as it is big enough to write on clearly, unlike most USB sticks.
04. Xenomorph Wacom Pen Holder
A Xenomorph is now the only way I want to store my Wacom pen
This may gross out some, (there are other design’s available for the less squeamish), but I can’t think of any drawing tablet CG or VFX artist who wouldn’t be delighted with this is a present as it’s sculpted in ZBrush and 3D printed.
05. Industrial Light & Magic - The Art Of Special Effects
Give this classic book on ILM to explore how VFX were created before computers
While there are countless ‘Art of’ books on Amazon for all the latest VFX films and games. Sometimes it is worth giving an older book. This book deals with the early history of ILM through to 1986. As it was written before digital VFX took over, it gives a unique insight into Analogue VFX production.
06. Simian Power Up Water resistant Power Bank
Powerbanks are a great gift for any gadget-dependant artist
I'm a sucker for power banks as they're just so handy. This one can charge a phone, camera or usb laptop, like the new macbooks, and as it’s waterproof it can be used outdoors. It even has a torch.
07. Reeves 16-inch Wooden Artists Manikin
A wooden mannequin is useful for figuring out character poses, and also makes any computer desk look ‘arty’
While most digital content creation applications now come with Human Mesh figures, it's still always handy to have a real model on the desk, which can help you work out poses, and use as basis for sketching out ideas before getting stuck into 3D. It can also act effectively as someone to talk to when you have to work through the night on your latest CG creation.
08. Lego Medium Creative Brick Box
Random Lego building is great for those boring render moments
CG and VFX artists spend an awful lot of time staring at computer screens waiting for renders to complete. To alleviate the boredom, this box of random Lego can allow practical creativity while waiting for the digital creativity to materialise.
09. Revell Star Wars Build And Play Millennium Falcon
This Millennium Falcon Kit requires no paint or glue
All CG artists like to decorate their desks with models and toys. This Millennium Falcon kit is great value for money and looks great when complete. The best bit is that it requires no paints or glue to finish, but it can be enhanced by a custom paint job after.
10. Ctrl+Alt+Delete Computer Key Coasters
These coasters are great stocking filler for any VFX or CG artist
These coasters are perfect for the copious amounts of caffeine that any and every CG and VFX artist that I know live on. They are also a very handy reminder about which keys to press when it all goes wrong.
Note: prices listed are based on exchange rates at time of writing and subject to change
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Mike Griggs is a veteran digital content creator and technical writer. For nearly 30 years, Mike has been creating digital artwork, animations and VR elements for multi-national companies and world-class museums. Mike has been a writer for 3D World Magazine and Creative Bloq for over 10 years, where he has shared his passion for demystifying the process of digital content creation.
