You love the idea of working with computers and creating art, but do you have what it takes to become a digital artist?
If you’re creative, passionate, and tech-savvy, then the answer is yes! Digital artists use computers to create art and work in fields such as animation, comic book design, and video game design.
The one tool every digital artist needs is a digital art software program, which they use to design and create their art. However, there are so many digital art programs out there!
Want to work out the best software for your art projects? If so, keep reading to find nine tips for choosing the best digital art programs—even if you’re a beginner artist.
1. Work Out Your Goals
You don’t want to choose any digital art software until you work out your goals. This is because there are hundreds of photo editing apps software programs and design tools out there, all of which do slightly different things.
So, the right digital artist tools for you all comes down to your needs and goals. Ask yourself, what type of art do you want to create?
You might be interested in animation, photo editing, 3D graphics, NFTs, or video game design, just to name a few.
Also, think about whether you want to produce art on a professional level, or just as a fun hobby. Generally, professionals will use more high-end (and expensive) software programs, giving them more design abilities than an amateur would need.
Of course, your goals may change over time—that’s fine too! You can always change your software and tools as needed.
2. Think About Your Style
One of our top digital artist tips is to think about your style—with so many digital artists out there, how can you help your work get noticed?
All digital artists need to develop their own style, especially if they want their artwork to get noticed and sell for a profit.
However, the style of art you like will also help determine what software programs are best.
If you’re unsure of what style you like, look at other artists that you admire. Most artists will talk openly about how they create their work, so see what you can learn about what methods and programs other digital artists are working with.
3. Consider Your Educational Options
If you’re wondering how to be a digital artist, choosing the right digital art programs is only part of the process. If you want to work professionally in the field, consider a degree or college course in digital design.
You’ll learn everything you need to know to get started. However, your school will also have access to plenty of digital software programs that you can use and experiment with.
The cost will be included in your tuition, so it’s an ideal way to try out a range of programs and find out which ones suit your style.
Even if you don’t want to work as a professional artist, consider taking a community college or online course to help you get started and learn the basics.
Online classes, in particular, can be very affordable, so look on sites like Udemy and Linkedin to find educational courses on a budget.
4. Do Plenty of Research
Software programs can often be expensive, so you don’t want to purchase anything until you’re sure it’s what you want. Otherwise, you risk buying something you won’t lose and wasting your money.
To prevent this, do plenty of research before buying any programs. You’ll find plenty of free online forums and review sites where you can read what other artists had to say about each software program.
You’ll also want to look into each software program you’re thinking about buying, checking out factors such as:
- Price
- Differences between free and paid versions
- Hardware requirements
- Ease of use
- Functionality
- Limitations
- Any other features you need to create or share your art
5. Determine Your Budget
How much are you willing to spend on your software programs? While there are plenty of free apps and software programs out there, keep in mind that the majority of them are paid.
Some require a one-off fee, while others (like Adobe Creative Cloud) charge a monthly subscription fee. This means you’ll need to pay the monthly fee for as long as you want to use the software.
It helps to work out how much you can afford to spend before you do too much research, as you don’t want to consider software that’s well out of your budget.
However, keep in mind that if you need digital tools to complete your job, then your employer should cover the cost. Or, if you’re self-employed, the cost is likely tax-deductible as a business expense.
Keep in mind that there are other expenses associated with being a digital artist too, such as running your website to showcase your portfolio, professional memberships, high-powered computers, and ongoing education costs.
6. Review All of the Digital Art Programs Out There
Once you start Googling digital art tools, you might quickly become overwhelmed! There are plenty out there, but take the time to read and review all of the options, like Womp3d.com, that might suit your needs.
A top tip—while you can’t purchase every software program to try, remember that many will offer a one-week or 30-day free trial. Always take advantage of these before buying to make sure you’re getting the right software for your goals.
Digital art tools also work via smartphone apps, so some programs might include both an app and a software program. This is useful if you like to work on your phone or tablet, in addition to your computer.
7. Speak to Other Digital Artists
There are thousands of digital artists out there, so you can learn from their experiences. If you can, talk and network with other digital artists to find out what they think about various different software programs.
Most people are happy to give honest reviews of the good, the bad, and the ugly, so you can benefit from their mistakes. If you’re not able to connect with other artists online, there are plenty of sites like Reddit or online forums where you can talk with others.
8. Ensure Your Preferred Program Can Run On Your Computer
Before you buy a new software program for making art, ensure your desktop or laptop can handle it. Many digital art programs have extensive hardware requirements, so not all computers can run them.
Check to see how much free hard drive space and memory each program will run before purchasing. Otherwise, you’ll need to upgrade your computer specs to use the software you need.
9. Be Patient—Most Programs Have a Steep Learning Curve
Even experienced digital artists can get frustrated with new software programs, as some can take quite some time to master. However, be patient!
Complex technology isn’t something you can pick up in a few hours, so go easy on yourself. When you’re learning a new technology, like a type of digital art software, it helps to give yourself plenty of time, utilize educational resources, ask for help when needed, and allow for plenty of practice time.
If you feel yourself getting frustrated or struggling, it’s ok to walk away and come back to it the next day. Often, things seem easier after a good night’s sleep and with a fresh set of eyes. Also, almost all software prams have free video tutorials, so always use them when you’re learning.
Before you know it, you’ll be able to create amazing art with your new software, so it’s worth the time and effort.
Start Your Digital Art Career With These Helpful Tips
There’s certainly a lot to consider when it comes to digital art programs. With the help of this guide, start thinking about what you need to be successful as an artist, then take the steps to make it happen!
Whether digital art is a profession or a hobby, it’s an amazing way to express your creativity, create amazing art, and learn new skills. And you’ll be amazed at how the right software program can help you bring your artistic visions to life.
Get started today and find the ideal digital art software for your needs—we can’t wait to see what you create!
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