Trajectories in digital art illustration and design: A Zimbabwean perspective

Technology has impacted various sectors, and the field of art and design has witnessed notable changes due to these developments. In today’s world, digital art illustration has emerged as a prominent and popular form of artistic expression, revolutionizing graphic design, and visual communication, particularly with the rise of technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI). This study seeks to explore the development of digital art illustration in Zimbabwe through the lens of the technology acceptance framework. The study focused on artists, lecturers, and students familiar with both traditional art and new technologies. Data were collected through two focus group discussions with students from two higher education institutions. In addition, five lecturers and five practicing artists were purposively selected for in-depth interviews, based on their experience in digital art and their background in traditional art. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that digital art has not yet been fully integrated into the art and design curriculum. The study also highlights the critical role of early art and design education in fostering student interest in digital art illustration. Furthermore, digital art illustration can be viewed as an extension of traditional art; therefore, artists should find ways to embrace both forms to their advantage. This integration can be promoted through blended exhibitions, with support from established galleries. For the design field, the study emphasizes the impact of AI and suggests how various stakeholders can incorporate it into their practices to enhance success. The study concludes that investment in technological infrastructure by the government can help promote digital art illustration as a burgeoning sector, creating new job opportunities for the younger, technology-savvy generation.