Traditional VS Digital In The Work Field

[t0po.inc]

Ok.
I'm not trying to start a debate about which is better and whathaveyou.
And maybe this has been asked before.
But I was thinking.
Since we're in the technology age,
and it seems digital art becomes more and more popular as the days go by,
how does that effect the job market?

I was thinking about large/popular companies such as Massive Black, and maybe I need to do more research about them and others, but for those who are out there in the work force, does it seem that a digital artist has a better chance of getting hired/commissioned than a traditional artist? By traditional, I mean pure old school. The only technology that touches the finished art is a scanner or a camera and maybe Photoshop for contrast or cropping adjustments.

This applies to concept, character design, illustration, and the like.

[DavePalumbo]

for concept, digital is industry standard and traditional can't compete with speed and revisions being such important aspects of this job.

for finished illustrations, whatever you can do well and on time, nobody really cares how you did it.

[Elwell]

What Dave said.

[Ilaekae]

I can't begin to tell you all how proud I am of all the courteous and polite people on this forum right at this moment...

...and what the two guys above me said.

[km]

for concept, digital is industry standard and traditional can't compete with speed and revisions being such important aspects of this job.

i'm assuming that these concept artists learned traditional first though right?

[Musselfarmstudios]

for concept, digital is industry standard and traditional can't compete with speed and revisions being such important aspects of this job.

for finished illustrations, whatever you can do well and on time, nobody really cares how you did it.

I have to defend the old techniques, true digital is quite popular but there will always be a place for people who want classically rendered concepts. Most artists who work mainly with older techniques should know how to adapt and overcome to solve issues dealing with revisions. It's all part of the learning process.

I could see Digital being standard for most Video Game Companies but Film is a mixed bag. You have artists at places like Pixar, Studio Ghibli and Disney still working in Pastels and doing gauches as well as digital.

"i'm assuming that these concept artists learned traditional first though right?"

This is true . . . all the same fundamentals apply only difference are the drawing tools are on the computer.

[Samari]

I'm a traditional guy. But unfortunately the traditional illustration industry is going down. That sucks because that's what I'm majoring in. I think I could always adapt to something else like animation, but...I'm all about classic drawing so that's why I chose what I did.

[Musselfarmstudios]

I'm a traditional guy. But unfortunately the traditional illustration industry is going down. That sucks because that's what I'm majoring in. I think I could always adapt to something else like animation, but...I'm all about classic drawing so that's why I chose what I did.

Dude . . . you shouldn't sound so down on your decision . . . it's not that the traditional industry is going down . . . if anything I would say it's going to make a resurgence. I understand that a few of the major animation studios are actually trying to expand. Especially if Wall-E makes it as this Years Best Picture.

Part the issue is that artists are getting that much more educated and creating better competition for the traditional positions.

I know an Art Director at a major studio and he encourages those that he mentors, as well as those who asks him about how to get into the industry, to draw and paint from life.

If traditional art is not a needed competitive comodity in the Concept Art Field then why would an Art Director, at a major studio, suggest and encourage "old school" techniques over Digital to students coming out of art school?

[~Faust~]

I read on Donato Giancola's website that due to the shift to the digital medium in illustration he gets to sell his paintings for a better price. I guess having an original you can sell and exibit is a huge advantage of the traditional medium, something that won't ever let it die out.

[Samari]

Dude . . . you shouldn't sound so down on your decision . . . it's not that the traditional industry is going down . . . if anything I would say it's going to make a resurgence. I understand that a few of the major animation studios are actually trying to expand. Especially if Wall-E makes it as this Years Best Picture.

Part the issue is that artists are getting that much more educated and creating better competition for the traditional positions.

I know an Art Director at a major studio and he encourages those that he mentors, as well as those who asks him about how to get into the industry, to draw and paint from life.

If traditional art is not a needed competitive comodity in the Concept Art Field then why would an Art Director, at a major studio, suggest and encourage "old school" techniques over Digital to students coming out of art school?

I'm not down on it. I enjoy what I do because I believe that it will make me a better artist and I like the concept of actually creating with a pencil instead of a mouse...figuratively speaking. I'm just saying that the illustration industry has gone down and things like animation is where the money is at.

[DavePalumbo]

I'm just saying that the illustration industry has gone down and things like animation is where the money is at.

Did you pick up this attitude from your teachers? I personally feel illustration is alive and very very well, and more diverse now than ever before. Don't listen to the negativity spreaders, that never got anyone anywhere.

[Ilaekae]

Keep in mind that a machine can't think, it can only do what you will it to. Without heavy-duty training in the "traditional" skills, the brainless computer ends up smarter than you. Not a good thing if you're into doing creative things.

[t0po.inc]

Thanks everyone, these are all really great points. :o

But there is a bit of truth to the "illustration industry going down" because you know, back in the day, you needed an illustrator to draw a scene or a picture for a book, article, etc. Now, we have stock images which are much cheaper, faster, and easier to get. D:
I think that's also why there's a large majority of freelance illustrators instead of those directly working at a desk job in a company.
This of course though, is from a book I read written by Steven Heller, a New York Times author, art director, Special Consultant to the President of SVA, etc...

Of course though, I could be totally wrong. I don't exactly consider myself educated on the current outside business world, but I know some things...I think. D:

[DavePalumbo]

back in the day, you needed an illustrator to draw a scene or a picture for a book, article, etc. Now, we have stock images which are much cheaper, faster, and easier to get. D:

though on the other hand, the world has never been more crammed with images than it is today. Certain aspects of the industry have declined, but many many new doors are opening.

[Elwell]

It's true that the editorial and advertising market for illustration has been hit hard in the last fifteen years by cheap, convenient stock. But as Dave said, new markets have opened. People have been talking about the death of illustration practically since it's birth.

[waranghira]

for concept, digital is industry standard and traditional can't compete with speed and revisions being such important aspects of this job.


eh?
but its more fun doodling or sketching on paper.