Are you someone who has a passion for art and a desire to inspire creativity in others? Do you have a good understanding of digital art and its various software? If yes, then a career as a digital art teacher may be the perfect fit for you.
As society moves increasingly towards digital advancement, it is essential to keep pace with new technologies. People now largely turn to digital art in their creative pursuits, making it a rapidly expanding field. This expansion has created an incredible demand for digital art teachers. However, before embarking on the journey as a digital art teacher, you need to have a comprehensive understanding of the field.
In this blog post, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to be an effective digital art teacher. From what you should include in your digital art curriculum for middle, high, and elementary school students, to what digital art projects to pursue with beginners, we will cover everything you need to know to ace at being a digital art teacher.
How do I Start Teaching Digital Art?
Moving into teaching digital art may seem daunting at first, but if you have a creative flair, patience, and experience with digital art software, the transition should be smooth. Before you start, ensure that you have the required software necessary to run digital art lessons and what new software would be beneficial for teaching your students.
When beginning, it is also essential to keep in mind that digital art is an all-encompassing field. It covers everything from graphic design to animation to digital painting. Thus, understanding where your strengths lie will help you develop a more tailored digital art curriculum for your students.
What Does a Digital Art Teacher Do?
As a digital art teacher, your primary role is to help students develop their artistic skills using digital mediums. In addition, your job includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Teaching students how to use tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate to create digital art.
- Giving in-depth guidance on how to create a comprehensive digital art project plan.
- Preparing digital art lesson plans for your class of students.
- Helping each student enhance their unique artistic skills.
- Fostering a collaborative learning environment to promote teamwork.
- Staying current with new software updates and digital trends.
Digital Art Curriculum for Middle School
Creating a digital art curriculum for middle school students should be enjoyable and interactive while also challenging their creative skills. Digital art projects that engage students and develop their understanding of various software programs should be at the forefront of your planning process.
Here is a list of digital art lesson plans that are informative and fun for middle school students:
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Introduction to Digital Art – Introduce the fundamental digital art tools and terminology.
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Digital Collage – Help students learn how to use various software tools to create a digital collage.
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GIF Making – Give your students in-depth guidance on how to create animated GIFs.
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Digital Portraits – Teach your students how to use digital art software to create portraits.
Digital Art Curriculum for High School
High school students have a firmer grasp on digital art software than middle school students, making it essential to have a more refined digital art curriculum. Projects that challenge students’ creative abilities while sharpening their digital skills are ideal.
Here is a list of digital art lesson plans that are challenging and fun for high school students:
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Graphic Design – Teach your high school students how to design logos, posters, or packaging.
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3D Modeling – Introduce 3D modeling software like Blender or Maya to your students.
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Digital Painting – Teach your students how to use different brushes and techniques in digital painting.
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Photo Editing – Give in-depth guidance on how to edit photos using digital art software.
Digital Art Curriculum for Elementary School
Digital art may seem a bit advanced for elementary school students. However, that is not the case; you can make it fun and easy for them to learn. Ensure your lessons are interactive, and you simplify the digital art term’s complexity.
Here is a brief list of digital art lesson plans that are easy-to-follow and fun for elementary school students:
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Coloring Activities – Introduce them to color theory concepts and how to use digital art tools to color.
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Intro to Animation – Guide them on how to create basic animations using digital art software.
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Storytelling – Encourage students to tell a story or showcase their journey through digital art.
Digital Art Projects for Beginners
Digital art projects for beginners should be easy to follow through and provide a fun experience for students. Projects that introduce students to the software and tools that are commonly used while creating a simple and visually pleasing outcome are ideal.
Here’s a list of ten digital art projects that are perfect for beginners:
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Digital Doodle Art – Introduce your class to digital doodling.
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Pixel Art – Emphasize the use of pixels to create a simple and clean outcome.
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Coloring Book Page Design – Provide your class with outlines to decorate and color using digital art software.
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Digital Stamp Making – Guide students on how to create a simple yet interesting stamp or logo.
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Digital Sticker Design – Teach your students how to create stickers using digital art software.
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Digital Pastel Painting – Provide your classes with a short intro to pastel painting and guide them on how to apply it to digital art.
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Digital Origami – Show your students how to create three-dimensional origami creations using digital art software like Tinkercad.
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Digital Watercolor Painting – Teach students how to create watercolor paintings using digital software tools.
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Vector Art – Give your students a brief introduction to vector art and teach them how to create basic designs using tools like Adobe Illustrator.
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Digital Comic Book Creation – Guide your class on how to create a comic book page using digital art software.
Is a Career in Digital Art Worth It? Can You Make a Living off Digital Art?
A career in digital art is currently highly sought after, making it a lucrative field. The versatility of the field makes it possible to acquire various jobs in digital art ranging from graphic designing to animation to product design. You can work in advertising, publishing, gaming, and creative industries. With experience and demand, you can earn up to six-figure salaries annually.
However, as with any other job field, it takes time and effort to make a career out of digital art. The competition is tough, but with determination, dedication, and a touch of creative flair, a career in digital art is definitely worth the effort.
Digital Art for Beginners Procreate and Digital Art for Beginners Free
As a digital art teacher, you must be familiar with software that beginners can easily navigate and won’t leave them frustrated. Procreate is a prevalent digital art software used by beginners and experienced artists alike. It has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for students to create art digitally. It also has an array of brushes and pens that allows students to create different styles and effects.
There are also several valuable digital art resources available online for free, proving you don’t have to spend a fortune to get started. YouTube tutorials, free software trials, and digital art blogs provide excellent free resources for beginners.
Conclusion
Becoming a digital art teacher is an excellent career choice that can be both lucrative and enjoyable. It’s essential to have a solid understanding of digital art and various software before embarking on a teaching career within this field. This article provides a step-by-step guide on creating an effective digital art curriculum for students of all ages and experience levels, and guidance on digital art projects. With this guide, you can now start the journey of becoming an effective digital art teacher that inspires creativity and fosters skills in your students.