Public Administration & LegalISCO 2651

Video artist

A video artist is a person who creates video works using analogue or digital technique, producing special effects, animation and other moving graphic material from film, video recordings, images, computers and other electronic tools.

Check yourself in a minute: video artist

Rate 5 of the 28 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

digital content creation

create animated narratives

develop an artistic framework

tune a projector

adapt artistic plan to location

About video artist

A video artist works with digital content creation and prepares multimedia content, which may mean shooting original footage, animating, processing an archive source, generating an image from code, or combining all of them in one piece. The artist also defines their own artistic approach and decides afresh for each project which means and which medium to use.

The artist prepares their own workspace: the cameras, the computers, the software and the way the work is displayed, for example on a single screen, as a projection or as a multi-channel installation.

The artist also presents the context of the work, explaining to viewers where it comes from and what it refers to. Knowledge of art history supplies the references and the tradition in which a work is placed. The artist needs to know intellectual property law, since footage, music or images made by others can only be used with the right permissions. Labour law applies when the artist engages performers and technicians.

European Skills Framework

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

Essential (28)

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.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.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...create animated narrativescreate animated narrativesDevelop animated narrative sequences and story lines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.develop an artistic frameworkdevelop an artistic frameworkDevelop a specific framework for research, creation and completion of artistic work.tune a projectortune a projectorFocus and tune a projector.adapt artistic plan to locationadapt artistic plan to locationAdjust plans to other locations with regards to the artistic concept.set up camerasset up camerasPut cameras in place and prepare them for use.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.prepare personal work environmentprepare personal work environmentCorrect settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.maintain audiovisual equipmentmaintain audiovisual equipmentPerform routine maintenance tasks on audiovisual equipment as well as minor repairs, such as replacing parts and calibrating the instruments, on equipment used in processing sound and images.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 special effectscreate special effectsCreate special visual effects as required by the script, mixing chemicals and fabricating specific parts out of a wide variety of materials.collaborate with a technical staff in artistic productionscollaborate with a technical staff in artistic productionsCoordinate your artistic activities with others who specialise in the technical side of the project. Inform the technical staff of your plans and methods and obtain feedback on feasibility, cost, proc...convert into animated objectconvert into animated objectConvert real objects into visual animation elements, using animation techniques such as optical scanning.mix live imagesmix live imagesFollow different video streams of a live event and mix them together using specialised equipment and software.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...manage online contentmanage online contentEnsure the website content is up to date, organised, attractive and meets the target audience needs, the requirements of the company and international standards by checking the links, setting the publ...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.provide multimedia contentprovide multimedia contentDevelop multimedia materials such as screen shots, graphics, slide shows, animations and videos to be used as content integrated in a broader informational context.create moving imagescreate moving imagesCreate and develop two-dimensional and three-dimensional images in motion and animations.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 ...design graphicsdesign graphicsApply a variety of visual techniques in order to design graphic material. Combine graphical elements to communicate concepts and ideas.
Optional (22) — show
digitizationdigitizationThe process of transforming an object from its analogical form to a digital format. It creates a digital representation of the object without making in-kind changes to it.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.create storyboardscreate storyboardsApply story development and plot lines and edit animations to create storyboards that render the flow of the animation. Map out key scenes and develop characters.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.develop digital contentdevelop digital contentCreate and edit digital content in different formats, express oneself through digital means.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 ...consult with business clientsconsult with business clientsCommunicate with clients of a business or business project in order to introduce new ideas, obtain feedback, and find solutions to problems.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.colour grade images with digital intermediatecolour grade images with digital intermediateUse a scanning device to scan film negatives in order to digitally fine-tune them using image editing software.assist multimedia operatorassist multimedia operatorTake over tasks from the multimedia operator as required. Call cues for the multimedia operator or operate the multimedia equipment yourself.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.present exhibitionpresent exhibitionPresent an exhibition and give educational lectures in a comprehensible way that is attractive to the public.consult with design teamconsult with design teamDiscuss the project and design concepts with the design team, finalise proposals and present these to stakeholders.consult team on creative projectconsult team on creative projectDiscuss the creative project with team members.set up projection equipmentset up projection equipmentInstall and connect equipment for projection in an artistic context.participate in music studio recordingsparticipate in music studio recordingsTake part in recording sessions in music studios.manipulate object to create illusionsmanipulate object to create illusionsManipulate objects and images to create optical illusions.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...

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does a video artist do?

Video artists create videos using analogue or digital techniques to obtain special effects, animation, or other animated visuals using films, videos, images, computer or other electronic tools.

What skills does a video artist need?

A video artist needs 28 essential skills, including digital content creation, labour legislation, intellectual property law, art history, adobe creative suite.

Will AI replace video artist jobs?

The AI disruption score for video artist is 30/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, digital content creation, develop digital content. Most resilient: participate in music studio recordings, develop an artistic framework, consult with design team.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills28

Is video artist right for you?

Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.

Take the free test