What Does Digital Artist Do?

Today, nearly everything we use is digital. We use smartphones and computers to check our emails, use social media and communicate with each other. As the times changed, art has also become digital. Digital art is a relatively new art movement rising with recent technological developments in a digitalized world.

Definition of Digital Art

Digital art, new media art, or computer art is composed using electronic devices, software, or computers. Everything produced on digital media, like photographs, animations, videos, digital paintings, and illustrations, are examples of digital art. There are different opinions on whether digital art is real art. Answers change depending on the scope.

For example, if real art means art where the artwork is physically present, digital art is not real art. But digital art can be classified as real art as it includes creativity and skill sets like any other art branch. After all, it is unquestionable that art is art for it expresses ideas and emotions with colours.

Why Use Digital Art?

Digital art serves many different agendas but is commonly used for commercial purposes. Digital art can be seen as visual graphic effects in social media advertisements, video games, animations, and films. The rising need and desire for digital art has created many work areas for digital artists.

Digital mediums are relatively new in art, but digital art has been around for a while. As a matter of fact, the first significant computer art exhibitions date back to the mid-1900s. There have also been many talented digital artists since then, and every day there are more artists venturing into the digital art field.

Digital Artists You Should Know

As digital art trends rise, and the technology becomes more available, more digital artists enter the field every day. Here are some of the most prominent digital artists you should know.

Mandy Jurgens
The Rusted Pixel
Ori Toor
Irina French
David McLeod
Heraldo Ortega
Beeple
Stephen Mcmennamy
Rachel Walpole
Steve Simpson
Alberto Seveso
Jeszika Le Vye
MUTI
Dan Volbert
Sean Charmatz
Barret Frymire
So Lazo
Nik Ainley
David Villegas
Jinhwa Jang
Jason Naylor
Lim Chuan Shin
Aiste Stancikaite
Małgorzata Kmiec
André Ducci
Sara Ludy
Butcher Billy
Alyn Spiller
Erik Johansson
Dang My Linh
Marija Tiurina
Hal Lasko
Matt Schu
Finnian MacManus
Antoni Tudisco
Ben Bauchau
David Sossella
Alayna Danner
Simon Cowell
Ricardo Ow
Tom Cross
Alex Heywood
James Gilleard
Romain Trystram
Milka Oxana
RULEBYART

Is Digital Art Easy?

Digital art can be said to be easier than traditional art, but in one regard, it can be challenging to get used to new software and digital mediums. But in the end, it is easier than drawing or painting by hand as shading, layering, and colouring are digitized with much more user-friendly tools and settings.

History of Digital Art

Digital art emerged in the 1960s with the EAT (Experiments in Art and Technology) group that aimed to explore the relationship between people and machines in the artistic realm. In the 1970s, video artist Nam June Paik coined electronic superhighway expression to art.

But the apparent kick-off of digital art can be seen in the 1980s when computer engineers developed a paint program called AARON. The rise of personal computers and the emergence of the internet in the 1990s provided digital artists with more options and creativity.

Digital Artist’s Job Description

Digital artists create 2D and 3D visual content, such as animations, and illustrations, for websites, movies, games, and digital advertisements. Digital artists use special software and programs and work closely with production, art, and creative directors to ensure that the final product is aligned with the project brief and vision.

Skills and knowledge

Much like any job, digital artists require a set of skills. While not all digital artists need to have all these skills, having a majority of them will help in setting them apart in the world of rising digital art.

Detail-oriented and creative
Painting, design, and drawing skills
2D and 3D animation skills
Coding skills
Advanced animation software knowledge
Knowledge of how to use computer programs, software, and hardware
Teamwork as they will constantly be in touch with clients, other related teams, and artists to understand desired results, expectations, and needs.

What do Digital Artists Do?

What a digital artist’s job description entails will depend on the job of course. But there are a few basic tasks that those who plan to work as digital artists will have to do at some point or another.

Communicate with clients, other artists, teams, or directors to decide and pursue a brief.
Illustrate print media models, characters, and puppets and add texture and colour to make them look real
Use software to give characters texture for animation

Top Digital Art Businesses

Many businesses worldwide have increased their investments in digital art. While some world-renowned companies have set up departments for graphic design and digital art within the company, many entrepreneurs have founded digital art businesses. Many of these businesses are open to freelance digital artists worldwide. Some of the best digital art businesses are as follows:

DeviantArt
Creative Bloq
iCanvas
Crevado
Art Attackk
Graphics Factory
Brainchild Studios®
FINE
Upstatement
Digicult
Kimp.io
DigiCOPY.
GraphicsFlow
Cover Art Factory
Davis Art
Pentagram
Landor and Fitch
Happy Cog®
Mucho
KrishaWeb
Digital Skratch
Artograph
Digitalartsi
Blake.Art
Mambu
Uipath
Aira Tech Corporation
TyotoCare
ActionIQ
SparkCognition

Basic Tools for Digital Artists

One needs a brush, canvas, and paint to make an acrylic painting; clay, bronze, or marble to make a sculpture. Digital artists also need some tools to make digital artwork. If you are a fresh digital artist who wants to embark upon this journey, here are the essential digital art tools you will need as a beginner.

Drawing tablet
Drawing software of your choice
Shortcut remote
3D models like figures or mannequins
A convenient font
High-quality computer
Convenient keyboard and mouse
Stylus
Adjustable tablet handle

Best Digital Art Software

There are many softwares to choose from when creating digital art. You can choose between paid and free options depending on your wants and needs. Make sure to check if the software you choose is compatible with your tools and devices before buying!

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Fresco
Microsoft Paint 3D
Sketchbook
Inkscape
Astropad Studio for Windows
Artweaver 7

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