What are careers in digital art?

Book illustrator, 3D modeler, and game designer are careers in digital art.

• Book Illustrator

  A book illustrator is a professional that creates drawings and other illustrations for books. The images that illustrators add help convey the ideas and messages of the books, as well as help bring the stories alive.

  Many illustrators will usually specialize in illustrating certain types of books, like picture books or books in certain genres. Some book illustrators may write the books that they illustrate, but many simply add illustrations to existing manuscripts. Illustrators can work as a freelancer or as an employee of a business or corporations.

  While illustrations are more commonly seen in children's books, they can be found in books for adults as well. This is particularly true for medical and healthcare books, where readers will see a number of diagrams and charts that are used to describe outcomes, medical conditions, or research studies.

  When it comes to creating illustrations, some illustrators will work in tandem with the author of the book; however, in most cases, the illustrator will be given a description of the illustration that is desired, render the design, and submit it back to the author for approval. This is usually done through an editor or publisher.

  A successful illustrator should be able to read stories, interpret them, and create an illustration using their own intuition and imagination. In most circumstances, they will use several different platforms or methods when creating an illustration. This can be anything from pencils and paint (or other traditional art mediums) to computer software.

• 3D Modeler

  Another career option in digital art is a 3D modeler. Professionals who work in 3D modeling are often part of a larger design team creating projects like films, video games, commercials, and marketing campaigns. They often work in office buildings or agencies that are fast-paced and exciting.

  A small percentage of 3D modelers may work from home; the Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies 3D modelers under "multimedia artists and animators," and approximately 57% of these professionals are self-employed. Many who work with agencies still work from home.

  A 3D modeler is a type of multimedia artist or animator who creates 3-dimensional models or visuals of items using a variety of different computer software programs and tools. This complex process is typically used to create 3D models for television, the motion picture industry, the video game industry, websites, and advertising.

  3D modelers may also create 3D models for scientists, architects, engineers, and more. These professionals are very tech-savvy and must be very familiar with the variety of computer software programs used to build models, background scenery, and other elements required for projects.

  The software involved in 3D modeling is constantly evolving, so it is of the utmost importance that anyone choosing this career stays up-to-date and current in their field. It is also important to have an artistic talent to accompany the understanding of the applications and software systems.

  3D modeling requires a diverse set of skills, including software skills, modeling applications, and basic animation art. Along the same lines as a 3D modeler, a game designer is another option for someone looking at a career in digital art.

• Game designer

  A game designer works to create various games, levels, and steps for a video game. These professionals often work with level editing software that is created by the game programmer. This assists with the creation of levels without having to modify the actual game code.

  Game design often involves creating the entire gameplay, including map features like cities, rooms, and tunnels to things like environmental conditions and weather and specifying the exact location of items. Designers will need a strong background in video game design as well as a deep knowledge of the programs and tools needed.