Trade Schools With Digital Arts Programs
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The internet is full of creations made by people with digital art jobs. Staff in the field create everything from the logos and graphics on websites to individual online cartoons. In addition, employees do computer animation, helping develop movies and video games.
With an emphasis on multimedia production, digital art trade schools train students for many different fields. Enrollees learn how to create videos and websites, as well as related tasks like adding music and recorded voices.
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What Is a Digital Artist?
What is digital art? This all-encompassing field consists of everything from animation to static website backgrounds. Employees work for either a traditional company or as a freelancer, moving from one task to another. Artists need to handle multiple things at once, as well as possess drawing skills.
Individuals in this fields, usually called digital artists or designers, use computers and related software programs to create various works of art based on the project. Throughout a typical workday, someone in this field might handle several different tasks. For example, workers may spend several hours on a commercial animation project before jumping to something web-based.
Obtaining a degree in digital art, either through a four-year college or trade school, helps potentials meet career goals. Through these programs, hopefuls learn to draw attractive compositions. Enhancing art skills and mastering software are additional goals.
What Are a Digital Artist's Job Duties?
Every day may be different for workers. With many projects to track, all for different clients, workers balance plenty of things at once. Depending on the job, digital artists may work alongside a team to complete larger projects or individually on smaller ones. Employees also speak to clients regarding progress on current work.
A digital art job requires the use of various forms of technology. Employees use computers with high-powered graphics cards and processors designed to handle many programs. Software examples include Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, and Procreate. Workers use draw intricate details on tablets with attached styluses.
Other digital art duties can include designing websites, finalizing the layouts of advertising campaigns, and turning 3D images into animations. Developing products for offline use, like brochures, business cards, and flyers are other tasks that a digital artist may handle daily. In addition, workers should:
- Meet client’s needs
- Use computer software
- Develop animations
- Communicate with co-workers
- Use creativity to come up with unique drawings
What Types of Skills Should Digital Artists Possess?
Drawing is the most crucial digital art skill. Designers learn to put together a well-composed picture with coordinating colors. Using the required computer software to make compositions and animations is important as well.
Less obvious skills include communication. Employees often work with a team of others to finish digital art projects. Speaking with clients, giving presentations, and writing emails and updates are also necessary for the position. Staff members must effectively communicate with everyone in the workplace.
Multi-tasking, organization, and time management are other useful skills. Balancing many different projects and adhering to deadlines is crucial. Organization is one way to stay on task and get everything done. Also, potentials must manage time wisely and manage several things at once.
Finally, creativity is the key to working as a digital artist. Successful workers are imaginative, coming up with characters and backgrounds or developing other art. While some projects may use stock footage or follow client specifications, the employee must make everything come to life.
How Do Digital Artists Maintain Their Workspace?
A digital artist spends most of their day sitting at a desk working on various projects. Workers have a computerized workstation with a large monitor or two, as well as a tablet, mouse, and stylus. An organized and functional workspace keeps the day flowing smoothly.
Why Do Digital Artists Need the Ability To Use Technology?
Technology is a very important digital art requirement. Workers must know how to use computer software to get things done. Based on the project’s scope, programs can vary from those that animate drawings to others that only handle one or two-dimensional works. Plus, designers may need to put together brochures and other products using a publishing program.
How Do Digital Artists Promote Their Work?
Hopefuls put together a portfolio of completed works, usually in the form of a website. Either a pre-made template site or a custom one shows off the artist’s accomplishments. Links to games, movies, or other online media show off the employee’s skill levels.
What are Useful Skills for People in This Field?
- 3D Drawing
- Typography
- Color Theory
- Composition
- Textures
- Sketching
- Animation
- Lighting and Shading
- Proportions
- Movement
Are There Special Requirements for Digital Art Jobs?
Hopefuls starting a career in the field attend either a digital art trade school or go through a four-year degree program. While in school, learners gain experience with computer hardware and software. Creating a digital portfolio to show to potential employers is the end goal of many curriculums.
Students seeking a digital art degree learn everything from color theory and typography to art history. To become a good, well-rounded artist, learners must master digital art equipment, as well as improve drawing abilities. Courses in computer and web technology, publishing, and more, make potentials well-rounded.
In order to find digital artist work, students develop an online portfolio. Also, some hold internships at large design or advertising companies, gaining valuable work experience. Employers look for a combination of these two things when narrowing lists of candidates for open jobs.
What Is the Outlook
of Digital Art Jobs?
Digital art careers see an average amount of growth. Entry-level workers typically receive a salary of $40K. With experience, yearly pay raises to about $80K. With so many fields to choose from and a limited amount of people with artistic talents, employers always need individuals with these skills.
Employees hired by larger corporations receive digital art benefits, such as health insurance and sick days. Additional perks include:
- 401K
- Paid vacation
- Bonuses
- Personal days
- Overtime
What Should Workers Expect?
Long hours and handling many projects at once are two things that new hires face in an industry job. Workers need to quickly adapt to the company’s preferred software and computer systems. In addition, digital artists must learn to work alongside co-workers using the group’s chosen communication methods.
Where Can Prospects Find Work?
Students wishing to enter the industry can get jobs in many related fields. Employers are as varied as this field itself, ranging from small companies to larger ones. Examples of businesses that hire digital artists include:
- Video Game Developers
- Film Studios and Production Companies
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Private Clients and Companies
- Marketing Agencies
Can You Work Remotely?
Digital artists can work on a remote basis from anywhere in the world. Some companies allow employees to split time between the office and home. In other cases, freelance designers pick up jobs from clients, completing the projects in personal offices.</p<
Do Digital Artists Have Any Other Options?
Potentials with digital artist skills find jobs in several other fields. Some choose to specialize in a segment of the industry, such as motion graphics or model building. Also, workers possessing leadership abilities work as VFX supervisors or art directors.
What are Alternate Careers for Digital Artists?
Additional career fields include web development and computer programming. Some digital artists use the skills gained to produce tv shows and movies. Others work as fine artists, accepting client commissions or showing sculptures or paintings in galleries.