The field of digital arts includes any type of artistic creation that utilizes digital technologies partially or entirely for the creation process. Digital artwork may be created from scratch with digital art tools, created with manual technologies and then enhanced with digital tools like generative AI and/or exhibited with digital platforms. Digital arts can be viewed as the intersection between technology and art.

If you are hoping to pursue a career in a creative field, consider earning a digital design degree. If you love technology and being creative, then a digital arts career may be exactly the kind of work you are looking for.

A digital artist combines technology with creativity, using digital tools, such as specialized computer software, to create artwork. Digital artwork can include digital sketches, paintings, graphic designs, animations and sculptures. Digital artists may specialize in a particular type of digital art, such as animation or motion graphics.

A digital artist's job description may include any of these responsibilities:

• Collaborating and brainstorming with other team members to understand project goals and parameters, and to develop creative strategies
• Using digital art tools to create artwork for mediums such as films, video games, websites and more
• Revising digital assets as needed based on feedback from clients or art directors
• Staying current on the latest digital tools and understanding the latest trends, continually seeking to refine artistic skill and creativity

A digital arts degree or digital design degree is any type of degree that focuses on blending technology with artistic endeavors. Some of these degrees may offer an emphasis in areas such as digital film, graphic design, photography, web design and animation. A digital arts or digital design program can allow you opportunities to examine sophisticated skills in technology-based creativity and expression, and to build a portfolio of your own work.

Digital arts and design degrees may include classes about digital photography, animation, game design, digital film, graphic design or other interactive forms of media. Students will examine both the fundamentals of the artistic process and the basics of the technology needed to create the art.

Students typically create multimedia presentations and collaborate with other artists within the program, building digital portfolios in their field in order to showcase the work they have completed throughout their studies. For example, they may work with professors and other students to create interactive art for public display. Digital design students practice using the latest technology, and they may give and receive feedback on their artistic work from peers and teachers.

Of course, different design degrees have differing areas of focus. Consider the following:

• Graphic design: Students explore the principles and process of graphic design, focusing on the use of graphic designs in marketing and advertising mediums.
• Web design: Students examine key topics in designing websites, including typography, layout and interface design.
• Digital film: Students may focus on an emphasis in digital film production or editing and visual effects, exploring topics like audio and visual production or green screen technology, respectively.
• Game design: Students explore the process of designing video games, including topics such as 2D and 3D modeling.

There are a number of career options within the digital design and arts field. If you have a passion for combining tech with artistry, you may be interested in learning more about the following careers:

Artist and/or Art Director

An artist is responsible for developing a vision for an artistic project or interpreting someone else’s vision for it and then creating the digital artwork. In contrast, an art director is responsible for creating and curating the visual style for a variety of mediums, such as magazines, newspapers, films and TV shows. Art directors may oversee a team of artists, who might use digital tools such as 3D modeling, motion graphics design and character animation.

Web and Digital Interface Designer

A web and digital interface designer is responsible for designing websites and web pages. They develop the layout, interface and navigation menus. They also test to ensure functionality and update as needed.

A web and digital interface designer may also write code for the website, create graphics and integrate audio and video elements into the site. They may also integrate applications into the site to enhance functionality, such as payment processing applications.

Film and Video Editor 

Film and video editors take the raw footage shot by camera operators and edit as needed to create a cohesive film or show.

Their responsibilities may include the following:

• Collaborating with directors and producers to understand the artistic vision and narrative of the project
• Organizing the raw footage into a cohesive narrative using video editing software
• Keeping track of each shot, such as by organizing shots into a database
• Identifying appropriate editing techniques in collaboration with the director

Special Effects Artist and Animator

Special effects artists and animators may work on animated movies, TV shows, video games and commercials. They are responsible for creating 2D and 3D models and visual effects using illustrations and computer software. These artists may specialize, such as by focusing on developing characters or the background scenery featured in the project.

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers develop visual elements with the intent to communicate an idea. Graphic designs may seek to entertain, inform or sell a product or service. They may create logos and illustrations, develop layouts and select visual elements, such as color palettes and typefaces. Unlike other types of digital artists, graphic designers may also incorporate text into their designs. 

Camera Operations (Television, Video and Film)

In film and television, the work of camera operators is essential. They are responsible for setting up camera equipment, choosing appropriate lenses and recommending changes to lighting. They identify the most ideal shooting angle and capture the raw footage of a scene. Camera operators may work on movies, TV shows, music videos, documentaries, news broadcasts or sporting events.

Some digital arts programs may require the submission of a portfolio to be admitted into the program. Others offer programming instruction to any student wanting to learn digital arts. It can be helpful to possess creativity or be willing to develop it, but above all, students should be comfortable with technology and be willing to work on expanding their skill sets in several different mediums.

To be effective in their work, digital artists must be able to blend traditional art principles with technical skills in software, composition and digital workflows. Here are a few specific skills digital artists should possess:

Composition

Composition is a critical skill for digital artists.^{(See disclaimer 1 )}When it comes to the digital arts, composition refers to the arrangement of elements on the screen. A web designer is careful to think about the arrangement of text and graphics. They want things to not only look nice but also be usable.

The overall harmony of a site takes into consideration color theory and typography. Online sites need to be balanced as well, with adequate negative space and well-proportioned elements. 

Software Knowledge

Technical proficiencies are essential for digital artists, including the use of advanced software.^{(See disclaimer 1)} There are multiple major software programs that digital design degree students should become familiar with, including photo editing programs and those used to create and edit vectors and graphics. Page layout and web prototyping programs are also helpful. More advanced work within a digital arts program will include using animation to add motion to custom graphics. 

User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI)

User experience (UX) refers to understanding who the audience is and what they want to accomplish on the site, then designing to accomplish that. Responsive design is a part of the process that ensures the elements on the site perform properly on different types of devices. Other aspects of UX include a person's emotional response to a site and how pleasing, relevant and meaningful it is.

The purpose of thinking and planning around UX is to design content in a way that makes sense and is enjoyable and useful to the user. User interface (UI) is a subset of UX that focuses on the look and style of a site. Overall, UX and UI are important elements because they determine not only how pleasant the experience is for a user, but also how likely they are to return to the site in the future. Aspiring digital artists should grasp the fundamentals of UX and UI.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Graphic Design

Graphic design is a major component of digital design.^{(See disclaimer 1)} Students consider systematic processes that can be used to design visual information. Branding, conceptualization, composition, color, typography, illustrative styles, photography and other elements of graphic design will likely be of interest to the future digital artist. 

Wondering about the differences between a digital artist vs. graphic designer? They are very similar, but there are some differences. Whereas a digital artist is a professional who creates artwork using digital tools or digital enhancements, a graphic designer is a professional who uses visual elements, including text and typography, to communicate ideas, such as for marketing and advertising purposes.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 84,900 job openings are expected each year from 2024 to 2034 in arts and design occupations. This means that employers are looking for digital arts degree graduates who have the ability to learn the latest technology and apply it within the parameters of the creative process with ease.^{(See disclaimer 2)}

In addition, pursuing an artistic career can allow you to enjoy exercising your creativity at work. You’ll also have opportunities to continue to refine your skills and learn new technologies over the course of your career.

Grand Canyon University offers many different digital design programs that can allow you to apply creativity using technology. You’ll also have opportunities to develop your own portfolio of work while you’re earning your degree. Fill out the form on this page to request a consult with a university counselor.