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Traditional Arts: Getting into Multimedia Arts + Common Questions Answered

Trad Art

Everything is digital nowadays, and you might be wondering, “Do I still need to learn basic traditional skills for multimedia arts?” In my opinion, yes. While it’s totally up to you whether or not you want to learn the basics, having knowledge and skills in traditional art can definitely give you an advantage.

What is Traditional Art?

Traditional art is anything created by hand using traditional materials, like paint, charcoal, clay, canvas, and more. Basically uses any physical and non digital material to produce an art. This type of art has existed for centuries and until today. 

Different Types of Traditional ArtThere’s a ton of different types of traditional art out there! Here are a few examples that you may have heard before. 

Painting: oil paints, watercolor, acrylics—anything you can paint on a canvas or paper.

Sculpture: Creating 3D artwork out of materials like clay, stone, wood, or metal.

Drawing: Using pencils, charcoal, ink, or pastels to create images

Printmaking: This involves creating multiple copies of an artwork, usually by carving designs into surfaces like wood and then printing them.

Textile Arts: This includes weaving, embroidery, and quilting.

Each of these has its own unique techniques and materials that make them special!

Traditional Art vs. Digital Art

The main difference between traditional and digital art is the medium. Traditional art is made with physical tools and materials, while digital art is created using software on a computer or tablet. Traditional art is more hands-on, painting a canvas, sculpting with clay, and sketching on a paper. Digital art, on the other hand, involves using digital tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, or 3D modeling software. 

I personally had a hard time figuring out which medium was best for me. Digital or Traditional?? Both require similar techniques, and you need to have the skills to master either one. Like most artists, I started with traditional art. I mostly sketched on paper using graphite, but soon, I began exploring paints and colors. I really enjoyed it, but the main challenge was that the materials can be quite expensive, especially if you want high-quality materials. On the other hand, digital art drew me in with its convenience. I can take my iPad anywhere and create almost the same thing I would with pencil and paint on a canvas.

Both require tons of patience and practice. Who knows? You might master them both in no time! They’re both great outlets for expressing your art, it just comes down to your personal preference.

What is the Role of Traditional Art in Multimedia Arts?

Now, going back to our first question: is traditional art important in multimedia arts? Absolutely. Traditional art serves as the foundation of all artistic expression. It helps you understand the core techniques, like shading, composition, and color theory, which are essential regardless of the medium you prefer. Once you’ve honed these skills, you have the freedom to explore and experiment in the digital world. Digital tools may offer convenience and new possibilities, but the solid foundation of traditional art gives you the confidence and creativity to push boundaries. Whether you're creating digital illustrations or animations, the skills learned through traditional art will always enhance and enrich your overall artistic journey. 

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Animation: Getting into Multimedia Arts + Common Questions Answered

Want to get started with Animation? Animation allows you to convey your creative and complex concepts. Need some help getting in this field? Let’s chat about the world of Animation.

What is the role of animation in multimedia arts? Animation allows us to bring stories to life. Animation navigates almost everything and is seen everywhere, in TVs, video-games, educational videos, smartphones, and pretty much, permeating in everything we do. Some may even go through post-processing, producing it into films. You may need to draw and conceptualize, have an eye for camera compositions, all of that to create a creative sequence of moving illustrations, that’s why it’s part of multimedia arts. 

Is animation hard to learn? Short answer, yes but not it’s impossible. Animation may seem intimidating to some. It is undeniably time-consuming as you are drawing or moving objects for each frame. The most challenging part in animating are the technicalities and techniques you’ll need to learn. But don’t worry, you’ll be learning all the basics and principles of animation first before you dive into the most part of animation. Just remember to keep practicing the techniques!

2D animation vs 3D animation. 2D animation is simply drawn by hand, it often appears flat. Meanwhile 3D animation is done using softwares, it's realistic, and it requires a little more of technicalities because it has rigging, the weight and physics, and motion. In a sense, both have the same basics and principles, you’re still in control of the motion of your character or model. But which is harder? Neither, it depends on your own forte and strengths.

Do you need to be good at drawing to be an animator? Artistic skills are important but could only be a plus point! You’ll only need a good understanding of animation, for the most part, you need to look at the timing, emotions, and motion. But as soon as you reach an intermediate to advanced level, you may need to acquire a DECENT skill for drawing, because as you get there, some animation could get tricky to formulate sequences, especially working in every keyframe. And speaking of drawing, maybe you’re wondering if you need to be fluid in art styles. Personally, I recommend capturing and sketching poses and motion, facial expressions (basically gesture drawing), and art styles will come naturally when you practice a lot. 

What jobs can I get into with animation? There are a lot of opportunities for animation, here is a list of jobs you could get into:

2D/3D animator: responsible for animating characters and objects.

Storyboarder: creates the visual scenario in storyboard form.

3D modeler: designs the 3D models used in films and video games.

Computer graphics designer: takes care of graphic design and textures.

Animation director: oversees the project from start to finish.

Sound engineer: handles sound and sound effects for animation.

Where do I start? Excited already? Well, first which do you think you could work well in? 2D or 3D? There are other animation styles to explore as well, like clay animation and stop-motion - you could get into those to have a glimpse of the processes.

But before you get into your first animation project, remember to study the basics and principles of animation. I do recommend watching into this video about 12 principles of animation: https://youtu.be/uDqjIdI4bF4 

For 2D, you could start with a simple flipbook animation on paper then after some practice, you could dive into these softwares: 

OpenToonz and Krita (2D frame by frame animation)

Animate CC (paid - could also do a frame by frame animation)

Some traditional 2D animators use a lightbox for animating, it’s kind of a personal tool so that kind of depends on you and your learning comfortability.

For 3D, basic level software is Blender, try working on making simple models first. After some time you’ll be able to work on animating on Blender. On an advanced level, some use Maya to make more complex animations and rigging. For the tools you might need in 3D modelling, again could be a more of a personal tool: a drawing tablet (Wacom or Huion).

Animation is just everything combined in Multimedia Arts, it’s fun and dynamic. Once you get the hang of it you’ll be able to explore a lot more without any physical limit.

References: 

Lesson 5: ANIMATION and VIDEO. (2015, March 17). Multimedia System. https://maiaangel03.wordpress.com/lesson-5-animation-and-video/ 

InFocus Film School. (2022, June 30). What is the Difference Between 2D and 3D Animation? https://infocusfilmschool.com/difference-between-2d-and-3d-animation/ 

Creative Animation Studio:  Stunning animated Videos. (n.d.). https://komstudios.com/ 

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Photography: Getting into Multimedia Arts + Common Questions Answered

What is Photography’s Role in Multimedia Arts? Photography is everywhere in MMA—whether it’s for branding, advertising, film, or digital media. It’s all about storytelling, capturing moments, and creating visuals that stand out. In graphic design, good photography makes everything look better, and in filmmaking, it helps with framing and composition. If you mix it with digital editing or motion graphics, you can take it to the next level.

Do You Need Expensive Gear to Start? Nope! A fancy camera is great, but you don’t need one to get started. Many successful photographers began with budget cameras or even smartphones. What really matters is understanding lighting, composition, and storytelling. You can always upgrade your gear later when you’ve got more experience.

How Much Editing Do You Need to Know? Editing is a big deal in photography, but you don’t have to be a pro at Photoshop right away. Basic knowledge of Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop is useful, but good photography skills reduce the need for heavy editing. The key is to balance both—learning how to take great shots and enhancing them through editing.

What Kind of Photography Jobs Are There in MMA? Photography opens up so many career paths! Here are a few ideas:

Commercial Photography – Taking photos for ads, brands, and marketing.

Photojournalism – Capturing real-life events for news and media.

Fashion & Portrait Photography – Shooting models, clothing, and creative portraits.

Event Photography – Covering weddings, concerts, and corporate gigs.

Fine Art Photography – Creating artistic and experimental projects.

Multimedia Content Creator – Mixing photography with video, animation, and design for digital content. The field keeps growing, so there are always new ways to use photography in creative work.

Photography is an awesome part of Multimedia Arts, and you don’t need expensive gear or advanced editing skills to start. Focus on creativity, storytelling, and improving your technique. Keep learning and experimenting with different multimedia skills to find your unique style. With passion and practice, you’ll find your place in the creative industry!

Adobe Creative Team. (2020). Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book. Adobe Press. https://www.adobe.com/

Freeman, M. (2017). The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos. Focal Press. https://www.routledge.com/

Kelby, S. (2021). The Digital Photography Book: Part 1. Rocky Nook. https://rockynook.com/

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Graphic Design: Getting into Multimedia Arts + Common Questions Answered

What is Graphic Design in Multimedia Arts? Graphic design is a key part of the creative industry, playing a big role in branding, advertising, web design, and more. It’s all about creating visuals that communicate messages effectively. Good design makes ads memorable and websites easy to use. You don’t need expensive software to start just use free or affordable tools like GIMP, Inkscape, and Canva work just fine. Focus on learning design basics like color, typography, and layout. 

Build Skills: You don’t need to be an expert right away. Basic knowledge of design software is helpful, but strong design fundamentals are important.  Focus on creating good designs first, then enhance them with software. Online tutorials, courses, and practice can help you build your skills.

Job opportunities in Graphic Design as MMA

Branding & Identity Design - Creating logos, brand guidelines, and visual identities for companies.

Advertising Design - Designing ads for print, digital, and social media campaigns.

Web & UI/UX Design - Designing websites and user interfaces for apps and digital platforms.

Packaging Design - Creating packaging for products, from food to electronics.

Illustration - Producing custom illustrations for books, magazines, and digital media.

Motion Graphics Design - Combining graphic design with animation to create engaging videos and animations.

Graphic design is an exciting part of Multimedia Arts with lots of creative opportunities. Whether you're just starting or improving your skills, enjoy the learning process. Try different tools and techniques, and let your passion guide you. With dedication and practice, you'll find your unique style and place in the creative industry.

References: