I agree. The obtrusive VFX bother me too, especially the ones that last for more than 1 minute.
The really bad ones are Mage Armor and Arcane Ward. They're always on, which basically means your Wizard can never look normal. Mage Armor is +3 AC, not a force field. It's similar to wearing a Chain Shirt, not exactly a game changing buff that demands a huge visual. Both permanent protections should be completely invisible when "passive" and only briefly flash appropriate VFX when the Wizard is attacked or when Arcane Ward actually soaks damage i.e. when Mage Armor or Arcane Ward are activated.
Also from a roleplaying point of view. Why aren't NPC's reacting to your character looking like a glowing force egg?
If Wizards look like sparkling light bulbs 24/7 already at level 1, what will they look like at level 7 or 10?
Barkskin could be toned down as well.
