Imagine being in the middle of a dark club, lights flashing to the beat of the music and, behind the DJ, an explosion of visuals that envelop people in a totally immersive experience. That’s what a VJ does: transform a musical set into something visually unforgettable.
The Visual Jockey, or VJ, has gone from being an underground concept to becoming an essential part of the electronic and live event scene. What used to be done with projectors and manual loops, today is enhanced with cutting-edge software and limitless creativity. Best of all, anyone with passion and dedication can become a VJ.
You can learn on your own, experimenting and discovering little by little, but if you want a more structured path, there are online and in-person trainings and courses that can accelerate your progress.
Now, here are 5 fundamental keys to become a good Visual Jockey:
Define your style as a visual artist
VJing isn’t just about throwing random clips; it’s about telling a visual story that fits the music and the mood. Do you like abstract and psychedelic visuals? Do you prefer glitch and cyberpunk aesthetics? Explore different styles, experiment and find what really represents you.
Build a good visual library
Having a varied and well-organized library of VJ loops will give you flexibility when improvising in a live set. You can create your own visuals, but it’s also nice to supplement with material from other artists. In fact, to help you with this, at the end of the article I’ll leave you with a free gift.
Master a VJing software
Programs like Resolume Arena, VDMX or Modul8 are key tools in the industry. You don’t need to know them all, but you do need to master at least one of them perfectly in order to create smooth transitions and stunning effects in real time.
Practice with music
A good VJ understands music almost as well as a DJ. Listen to different genres, analyze the structure of the tracks and learn to synchronize your visuals with the beats, drops and atmospheres of each track. Practice makes perfect.
Build your brand and look for opportunities
If you want to stand out as a VJ, it’s important that people know who you are and what you do. Share your work on social media, collaborate with local DJs and events and create a recognizable visual identity.
MAKE YOUR OWN CUSTOMIZED SHOW A REALITY
If you are just starting in this world and want to take your first steps as a VJ, I have something for you: 18 visuals ready for you to download and try right now. So you can start experimenting with them and see how they fit in your sets.
And if you are looking for more visuals with different styles, on my platform you will find loops and packs created by me. Check it out and take your VJ set to the next level.