In a world that revolves around technology, technological arts in digital environments are emerging as new forms of artistic expression that inspire new generations. These disciplines, which arise from the interaction of electronic technologies with art, are not only becoming increasingly relevant as digital media expands but, unlike other artistic revolutions, also present themselves as a career path with great potential and as a field of academic study.
Just like memes and GIFs, other forms of digital art include sculptures created through 3D printing, video mapping, and the creations of video jockeys (VJs), virtual reality, and interactive installations, among others.
The development of these works requires skills from many disciplines and the collaborative effort of professionals in computer science, technology, design, and communication. Furthermore, their application is not limited to the realm of pure artistic expression but is also valued in the creative and cultural industries, the entertainment industry, advertising, contemporary museography, and communication.
The development of social media as a means of communication provided fertile ground for memes, which today include not only traditional images with short captions but also GIFs, text, videos, and other forms of content that spread virally across the Internet.
A labor market that is constantly growing
In all these disciplines of digital art, the creation of works does not stem from a single artist but requires contributions from various fields and talents, ranging from screenwriters, audiovisual technicians, software engineers, sound engineers, musicians, visual artists, electricians, and communications professionals. Fabián Barros, Ph.D., professor of Multimedia and Digital Arts in the School of Communication and Design, creative director in advertising, multimedia artist, and academic director of the new bachelor’s degree program, stated that:
It's a vast world, and the possibilities are still evolving. More and more opportunities for digital artists will continue to emerge in the traditional market.
In fact, one distinctive feature of digital art today is that it is not limited to the realm of fine art but has gradually found its place in the job market.
In the field of video mapping, for example, there is corporate mapping , which is used by companies and advertising agencies to showcase brands or products. The backdrop for these original campaigns can be buildings or other urban settings that give the presentation high visibility.
The same is true for VJs—who are hired as stars at electronic music clubs but also work in advertising, at public events, and on TV shows—or for those who create digital installations, who may work at cultural centers, museums, and theater companies to develop multisensory exhibitions.
A new career
With an eye toward these opportunities in the job market, Universidad ORT Uruguay a degree program that combines its strong track record in digital technologies, its pioneering role in design, and its expertise in the field of communication—particularly in the audiovisual sector.
Drawing on knowledge from these three areas, the curriculum is structured around concentric layers of learning that become increasingly in-depth each year throughout the four-year bachelor’s degree program.
- "In the first year, students will be introduced to drawing, painting, the fundamentals of design, form, color, and photography, to begin understanding how these tools work in the digital arts," Barros explained.
- In their second year, they will begin studying moving images, video art, experimental animation, NetArt, and sound art.
- In the third year , they will study the performing arts as they relate to digital environments, video manipulation, the world of VJs, robotics, and interactive installations; and in the fourth year, they will analyze trends such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, among other areas that are still in their infancy.
For the students, Barros said, it will be “a journey of experimentation” that will introduce them to different disciplines and allow them to find their preferred field and path into the workforce.