Digital artist

Digital artists create art which applies digital technology as an essential part of the creative process. Digital art is usually created using computers or more specialised digital equipment. It may be enjoyed using the same instruments, shared over the internet, or presented using more traditional media.

The following job titles also refer to digital artist:

digital compositor
digital games artist
digital sculptor
computer-generated imagery artist
digital designer and animator
computer artist
digital matte painter
special effects digital artist
digital environment artist
digital scupltress
digital matte artist
3D digital artist
3D digital matte painter

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as digital artist. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Digital artist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to digital artist.

glass artist
drawing artist
conceptual artist
performance artist
street artist

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of digital artist. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of digital artist with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of digital artist.

Labour legislation: Legislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.
Intellectual property law: The regulations that govern the set of rights protecting products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.
Art history: The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.

These skills are necessary for the role of digital artist.

Monitor developments in technology used for design: Identify and explore recent developments in technology and materials used in the live performance industry, in order to create an up-to-date technical background for one’s personal design work.
Use specialised design software: Developing new designs mastering specialised software.
Create digital images: Create and process two-dimensional and three-dimensional digital images depicting animated objects or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modelling programs.
Confer on artwork: Introduce and discuss the nature and content of art work, achieved or to be produced with an audience, art directors, catalogue editors, journalists, and other parties of interest.
Contextualise artistic work: Identify influences and situate your work within a specific trend which may be of an artistic, aesthetic, or philosophical natures. Analyse the evolution of artistic trends, consult experts in the field, attend events, etc.
Create pen-and-paper images: Draw pen-and-paper images and prepare them to be edited, scanned, coloured, textured and digitally animated.
Convert into animated object: Convert real objects into visual animation elements, using animation techniques such as optical scanning.
Define artistic approach: Define your own artistic approach by analysing your previous work and your expertise, identifying the components of your creative signature, and starting from these explorations to describe your artistic vision.
Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
Gather reference materials for artwork: Gather samples of the materials you expect to use in the creation process, especially if the desired piece of art necessitates the intervention of qualified workers or specific production processes.
Develop design concept: Research information to develop new ideas and concepts for the design of a specific production. Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff members, in order to develop design concepts and plan productions.
Develop animations: Design and develop visual animations using creativity and computer skills. Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, colour, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of digital artist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of digital artist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Assess conservation needs: Assess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.
Plan art educational activities: Plan and implement artistic facilities, performance, venues and museum-related educational activities and events.
Develop educational resources: Create and develop educational resources for visitors, school groups, families and special interest groups.
Develop artistic project budgets: Developing artistic project budgets for approval, estimating deadlines and material costs.
Develop educational activities: Develop speeches, activities and workshops in order to foster access and comprehension to the artistic creation processes. It can address a particular cultural and artistic event such as a show or an exhibition, or it can be related to a specific discipline (theatre, dance, drawing, music, photography etc.). Liaise with storytelles, craftspeople and artists.
Prepare digital art for master photograph: Assemble, typeset, scan and produce digital art ready to be photographed as a master copy.
Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
Design materials for multimedia campaigns: Draft and develop materials to be produced for a multimedia campaign, keeping in mind budgeting, scheduling and production.
Present exhibition: Present an exhibition and give educational lectures in a comprehensible way that is attractive to the public.
Participate in artistic mediation activities: Participate in cultural and artistic mediation activities: announce the activity, give a presentation or talk related to a piece of art or an exhibition, teach a class or a group, lead artistic mediation activities, lead or participate in a public discussion.
Operate 3d computer graphics software: Use graphical ICT tools, such as Autodesk Maya, Blender which enable digital editing, modelling, rendering and composition of graphics. These tools are based in mathematical representation of three-dimensional objects.

2166 – Graphic and multimedia designers

 

 

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References

1. Digital artist – ESCO