A digital artist uses technology and software to create artwork, illustrations, and graphics for various industries such as video games, advertising, film, and publishing. Work can include character design, animation, concept art, and visual effects. Digital artists often use programmes like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and specialised 3D modelling tools. Many digital artists work as freelancers, but there are also opportunities within media companies, design studios, and advertising agencies. Creativity, technical skills, and a strong portfolio are important for success in this career.
Digital artists in the UK earn between £20,000 and £45,000 per year, depending on experience and sector.
The UK creative industries sector employs over 2.3 million people, with digital art roles increasing due to the growth in gaming and media.
Approximately 60 percent of digital artists in the UK work on a freelance basis, allowing flexible career paths.
Creates original character, environment, and prop designs for video games, working closely with game developers to bring ideas to life.
Produces engaging and colourful illustrations for children's books, helping to tell stories visually for young readers.
Draws and colours comic book panels using digital tools, collaborating with writers to create visual narratives for print or online publication.
Understand the core principles of art, such as anatomy, colour theory, composition, and perspective.
Building a strong foundation in traditional art skills is essential, even for digital work. You can learn these through online tutorials, art classes, or by practising drawing from real life. Many digital artists begin by sketching with pencil and paper before moving on to digital tools.
Familiarise yourself with common digital art software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, or Krita.
Download trial versions or free alternatives to get used to digital drawing. Watch beginner tutorials on YouTube or take introductory courses. Experiment with different brushes, layers, and tools to see how they work and find your preferred workflow.
Produce a variety of digital artworks to showcase your skills and creative style.
Aim to demonstrate versatility by including character designs, environments, illustrations, and any other relevant work. Focus on quality over quantity. Challenge yourself with personal projects, art challenges, or by replicating professional briefs.
Share your portfolio on platforms such as ArtStation, Behance, or your own website.
Having an online portfolio makes it easy for potential clients or employers to view your work. Use social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter to connect with other artists and showcase your progress. Keep your portfolio updated with your best and most recent work.
Ask for constructive criticism from peers, mentors, or online communities to improve your work.
Receiving feedback is vital for growth as a digital artist. Join online forums, Discord groups, or attend workshops and art fairs to connect with others. Be open to suggestions and use them to refine your craft.
Look for freelance projects, internships, or entry-level positions with studios or agencies.
Start by taking on small freelance jobs, collaborating with indie game developers, or contributing to group projects. Apply for internships with creative agencies or companies that need digital artwork. Building professional relationships and a network can help you find more opportunities over time.
Creates visual content for print and digital media, focusing on branding, advertising, and marketing materials.
Produces moving images for films, television, games, and web content, often using digital tools and software.
Develops visual ideas and designs for characters, environments, and objects, mainly for video games, films, and animation.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Digital Artist. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.
Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.
Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.
These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!
A Digital Artist and a Web designer both work primarily with digital media to create visual content, often involving graphic design, user interfaces, and multimedia elements. Their qualifications overlap in skills related to digital tools, creativity, and visual communication.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a higher national diploma or degree in:
You'll usually need:
You could take a college course to learn some of the skills you need for this job, for example:
You may need:
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
You could take an apprenticeship, such as:
You'll usually need:
You could start working as a design assistant or web support assistant and train while you work.
You could volunteer for a local community group or charity and create a website for them. Any experience you can get will be helpful when applying for jobs.
You'll need a portfolio of work that shows employers your creative design skills.
To make sure that you're up to date with the latest trends, features and design software you can:
You can get more advice about careers in web design from techskills.
You can also find out more from Discover Creative Careers.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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