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Science & ResearchISCO 2166

Digital artist

A digital artist is a person who creates art in which digital technology is an essential part of the creative process rather than a tool used along the way.

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Rate 5 of the 23 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

digital content creation

monitor developments in technology used for design

develop an artistic framework

use specialised design software

create digital images

About digital artist

The artist works with computers and more specialised digital equipment, and the result may be shown in several forms: made available over the internet, or presented through more traditional media, which is where a digital work becomes a print, a projection or an object. The artist defines the creative elements of a work and decides whether it will exist as a file, an installation or a print.

The artist uses specialist design software and creates digital content in it.

The artist also defines their own artistic approach. The artist presents the context of each work, explaining to viewers what a piece refers to, and knowledge of art history helps to place it within an artistic tradition. Intellectual property law matters in digital art, because files can be copied without loss of quality, and knowledge of labour law is needed when working with collaborators. Preparation for the role rests on a command of specialist design software and a knowledge of art history.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (23)

digital communication and collaborationdigital communication and collaborationCommunicate in digital environments, share resources through online tools, link with others and collaborate through digital tools, interact with and participate in communities and networks, cross-cult...digital content creationdigital content creationCreate and edit new content (from word processing to images and video); integrate and re-elaborate previous knowledge and content; produce creative expressions, media outputs and programming; deal wit...labour legislationlabour legislationLegislation, 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 lawintellectual property lawThe regulations that govern the set of rights protecting products of the intellect from unlawful infringement.art historyart historyThe history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.digital mediadigital mediaThe set of medias that are transmitted through electronic devices.computer graphicscomputer graphicsThe field that merges approaches from computer science and design. It involves the process of creating images, 3D models generation, as well as the rendering, texturing and lighting them. Its applicat...digital artsdigital artsThe production of art through digital tools, software, computers or other electronic devices. It involves the use of various mediums for artistic expression such as digital photography or computer gra...monitor developments in technology used for designmonitor developments in technology used for designIdentify 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.develop an artistic frameworkdevelop an artistic frameworkDevelop a specific framework for research, creation and completion of artistic work.use specialised design softwareuse specialised design softwareDeveloping new designs mastering specialised software.create digital imagescreate digital imagesCreate and process two-dimensional and three-dimensional digital images depicting animated objects or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modelling programs.develop digital contentdevelop digital contentCreate and edit digital content in different formats, express oneself through digital means.discuss artworkdiscuss artworkIntroduce 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 workcontextualise artistic workIdentify 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 fie...create pen-and-paper imagescreate pen-and-paper imagesDraw pen-and-paper images and prepare them to be edited, scanned, coloured, textured and digitally animated.define creative componentsdefine creative componentsIdentify sources of inspiration and strong points. Identify the subject of the art production. Identify the content. Identify creative factors such as performers and music.convert into animated objectconvert into animated objectConvert real objects into visual animation elements, using animation techniques such as optical scanning.define artistic approachdefine artistic approachDefine 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 artis...have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.gather reference materials for artworkgather reference materials for artworkGather 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 conceptdevelop design conceptResearch 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 concep...develop animationsdevelop animationsDesign 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 ...
Optional (18) — show
adobe creative suiteadobe creative suiteThe set of software applications that are used to create visual content for personal or business use. Examples of items that can be generated are flyers, brochures, books, websites and videos.web based collaborative platformsweb based collaborative platformsOnline tools which facilitate communication and collaboration among Internet users in real time. Platforms with a range of functionalities created to facilitate organisational team work or promote pro...augmented realityaugmented realityThe process of adding diverse digital content (such as images, 3D objects, etc) on surfaces that exist in the real world. The user can interact in real-time with the technology by using devices such a...assess conservation needsassess conservation needsAssess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.plan art educational activitiesplan art educational activitiesPlan and implement artistic facilities, performance, venues and museum-related educational activities and events.develop educational resourcesdevelop educational resourcesCreate and develop educational resources for visitors, school groups, families and special interest groups.provide input to collaborators to guide their workprovide input to collaborators to guide their workDiscuss and exchange ideas related to the project with the team. Show the raw material to each designer and explain desires, expectations and aesthetic or technical concerns. Review proposals submitte...assess each stage of the creative processassess each stage of the creative processAssess and keep track of the work accomplished, analysing it for the artistic intent.develop artistic project budgetsdevelop artistic project budgetsDeveloping artistic project budgets for approval, estimating deadlines and material costs.receive appropriate permissions for use of recorded audiovisual examplesreceive appropriate permissions for use of recorded audiovisual examplesGain and receive appropriate permissions for use of recorded visual examples of your work. Obtain permissions to use images of people in your promotion.develop artistic educational activitiesdevelop artistic educational activitiesDevelop 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 ...prepare digital art for master photographprepare digital art for master photographAssemble, typeset, scan and produce digital art ready to be photographed as a master copy.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.design materials for multimedia campaignsdesign materials for multimedia campaignsDraft and develop materials to be produced for a multimedia campaign, keeping in mind budgeting, scheduling and production.design greeting cardsdesign greeting cardsDesign the illustrations on greeting cards.present exhibitionpresent exhibitionPresent an exhibition and give educational lectures in a comprehensible way that is attractive to the public.participate in artistic mediation activitiesparticipate in artistic mediation activitiesParticipate 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 mediat...operate 3D computer graphics softwareoperate 3D computer graphics softwareUse 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-di...

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Frequently asked questions

What does a digital artist do?

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.

What skills does a digital artist need?

A digital artist needs 23 essential skills, including digital communication and collaboration, digital content creation, labour legislation, intellectual property law, art history.

Will AI replace digital artist jobs?

The AI disruption score for digital artist is 31/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, digital content creation, develop digital content. Most resilient: develop an artistic framework, gather reference materials for artwork, define artistic approach.

Quick Facts

SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills23

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