Digital Artists

Level

Artistic Skills

Technical Computer Graphics

Portfolio

Software

Years

I

Basic digital retouching and color correction of photos. Can customize clip art, but may not be able to draw.

Object: Basic Bézier-curve (PostScript) drawing using manual (pen) tool, not just autotrace or freehand tool. Can use many features of drawing programs.

Bitmap: Basic Photoshop skills, working with preexisting materials.

Has created elements used in Web sites, presentations, or multimedia projects.

Object(“drawing”):
Illustrator
Corel Draw FreeHand
Canvas

Bitmap (“painting”):
Paint Shop Pro

1+





1+

II

Has basic drawing skills. Can create attractive new images, usually in mannered, iconic, or flat clip-art styles. Has some digital photo-montage experience. Can create realistic drop shadows, beveled buttons, and “warp” existing artwork in perspective. Understands lighting for three-dimensional objects and can maintain consistent lighting throughout a scene.

Object: Multilayered Bézier-curve drawing, optimized for printing.

Bitmap: Intermediate-level Photoshop skills include layers, ink modes, simple mask and channel operations, and filters. Understands all Unsharp Mask parameters in Photoshop.

Editorial illustrations in smaller publications. Advertising illustrations for smaller company campaigns.

Object (“drawing”):

Illustrator

FreeHand

Bitmap (“painting”):

Paintshop Pro

2+





2+

III

As above. Also, can create specific moods through lighting, shadows, and color. Can integrate object and bitmap elements seamlessly. Intermediate-level drawing skills. Can create numerous objects in several styles without looking at reference

Object: As above. Also, can troubleshoot problem files.

Bitmap: Advanced Photoshop skills include color separation, understanding of dot gain (for press) and gamma (for Web), real understanding of resolution, line-screen, and color-palette issues. Can perform a range of moderately complex channel and masking operations.

Editorial illustrations
for national publications. Advertising illustrations for Fortune 500 campaigns.

Object (“drawing”):

Illustrator

FreeHand

Bitmap (“painting”):

Paint Shop Pro

Painter

3+







4+

2+

IV

As above. Also, can create digital work from scratch that is indistinguishable from traditional illustration. Can alter photographs so well that only a forensic specialist could tell they have been altered. Work quality comparable to a Level IV traditional illustrator. Note: Level IV digital artists are much less common than Level IV traditional illustrators.

Can create stunning effects with the program(s) used, most likely a bitmap program (Painter or Photoshop). Has complete mastery of a wide range of computer graphics programs, operating
at the “unconscious skill” level (achieves desired effect rapidly without consciously thinking about how it’s being done). Mastery of issues and tradeoffs related to graphic file formats, compression algorithms, color management (calibration, etc.), advanced prepress, and much more.

Illustrations have been reproduced in much the same contexts as a Level IV traditional Illustrator; and / or in major CD-ROM games or TV animations, and top Web sites.

Object (“drawing”):
If any, possibly

Illustrator

FreeHand

Bitmap (“painting”):

Photoshop

Painter