These days, being an artist doesn’t usually involve sitting in Montmartre with your easel in front of you, trying to persuade people to have their portrait done. Most artists in this day and age are more likely to consider entering the digital world and taking their talents online…. And there’s quite the demand for it. Indeed, the digital art landscape is thriving – and it gives you the chance to combine your artistic passion with cutting-edge technology.
So, whether you’re fresh out of art school or you’ve taught yourself everything you know and have created an incredible portfolio, here are some great ideas for all of you aspiring digital artists out there.
Casino Game Designer
The online casino industry has never been bigger or better… and gone are the days of static reels and basic fruit symbols. Whilst casinos might attract players with a solid selection of bonuses, it’s the games that keep them coming back – and players want stunning visuals, excellent animations, and lots of interactive elements to keep them entertained – and that’s where digital artists come into it.
As a casino game designer, you’ll need to create unique, imaginative visuals – not just for slot games, but also card games, and even digital table games. You’ll be working alongside developers to make sure that your artwork works well with the gameplay and keeps players immersed in the game. You might need to create a fantasy-themed game, a Christmas release, or even quirkier concepts like alien slots or retro old-school arcade-inspired games.
There’ll be plenty of bonus features you’ll need to consider – from free spins to mini-games, which will all require graphic representation, UI design, and animation. And being the person that brings it all to life can be incredibly rewarding, both creatively… and financially.
- Skills Required: 2D/3D illustration, animation, UI design, storyboarding
- Perks of the Job: Most gaming companies let you work from home or offer hybrid contracts, giving you lots of flexibility.
Concept Artist for Video Games
And, of course, there’s the option to go into video game development, which is one of the most visually demanding creative industries out there. And concept artists are at the heart of it all. You’ll have the chance to build whole new worlds from scratch, design characters, environments, props, and the entire game ecosystems based on the creative brief you’re given.
If you’re someone who loves gaming, you enjoy sketching fantastical environments or weird, fierce characters, and you think you’d thrive in a team of storytellers and coders, then this could well be your dream job. Studios are always on the lookout for young, fresh, and imaginative artists who could potentially create a whole new gaming trend.
- Skills Required: Sketching, character design, environment art, visual storytelling
- Tools of the Trade: Photoshop, Procreate, Blender
Book Cover Illustrator
Although eBooks and Audiobooks are getting more and more popular, lots of readers still love the real thing… the paper, the smell of a new book, which is why book cover designers will always be needed. Whether it’s for a psychological thriller or a fantasy series, people might say, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’; but the fact is, people do…. So the cover art can make or break the reader’s decision to pick it up and read it.
As a digital illustrator, you could potentially carve out a niche in creating covers for self-published authors (who are on the rise thanks to Amazon), or maybe even traditional publishers, or eBook-exclusive sites. It’s great, because this is a space where your imagination can run wild – as you try to tell those stories through one single image.
- Skills Required: Illustration, photo manipulation, typography integration
- Pro Tip: Build up a portfolio of mock covers to try to attract authors on platforms like Reedsy or Fiverr.
Motion Graphics Designer
Motion graphics are used literally everywhere… from ads on social media and YouTube intros to movie title sequences and business explainer videos. If you go for a career in motion graphics, you’ll need to combine animation, typography, and visual effects to create incredible, eye-catching and dynamic content.
This is an excellent choice if you’re someone who likes working with timing, sound syncing, and transitions. What’s more, because of the rise of video marketing on sites and apps like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, it’s also in very high demand!
- Skills Required: After Effects, Premiere Pro, storyboarding, sound syncing
- Potential Industries: Advertising, film production, gaming, corporate training
Children’s Book Illustrator
If you’re someone who enjoys telling stories through pictures, then children’s book illustration is the obvious career choice. This is perfect if you’re someone with a whimsical style, the ability to tell a story and capture emotions and energy through your characters.
Although a lot of traditional publishing houses hire their own full-time illustrators, there are lots of digital artists who get into it through freelancing or self-publishing books on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
- Skills Required: Character design, colour theory, pacing
- Top Tip: Think about learning layout tools like InDesign as well as your regular illustration software.
Social Media Content Designer
Social media is a very visual game – it’s quick, instantaneous, and needs to catch your eye immediately if it wants to have any chance of success… or it will be scrolled past without a second thought.
That’s why big brands are always on the lookout for designers who can create content that can catch your attention, stay on-brand, and encourage active engagement. Think memes, Instagram carousels, GIFs, reels, etc….
You could get a job with an agency, an influencer, or you could even try running your own freelance gig.
- Skills Required: Fast design turnaround, branding, trend awareness
- Best Platforms: Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator, CapCut
We’re Living in a Digital World
So, if you do want to be a digital artist these days, it’s not just viable, it’s exciting… and the opportunities are endless! You could go work for a major studio, or you could try your luck freelancing… there are all sorts of paths you could take in all different industries.
You just need to start by building up your portfolio, mastering the tools you need for whatever career you decide to go for – and picking something that genuinely excites and inspires you, whether it be casino games, video games, books or social media. The world is your digital canvas – you just need to paint your future on it!