Arts, A/V Technology, & CommunicationsTennessee

Digital Arts & Design in Tennessee

See How It Works

Tennessee's Digital Arts & Design pathway prepares students for creative careers in digital media, graphic design, and visual communication. Nashville's growing creative and entertainment industries—beyond music to include film, television, and digital media—create opportunities for skilled designers.

Students develop proficiency in design software (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma), digital illustration, layout principles, color theory, and typography. Projects include designing digital assets, creating visual identities, and developing portfolios.

Graduates work as graphic designers, digital artists, user experience designers, or in-house designers for companies and agencies. Many freelance or start creative businesses. Salaries range from $30,000 entry-level to $65,000+ for experienced designers.

Digital Arts & Design at a Glance

4

Courses

8

Credentials

4

Career Paths

State Standards & Framework

Tennessee's digital arts standards emphasize design thinking, software proficiency, and visual communication principles. The state integrates industry-standard tools and contemporary design practices.

Students develop portfolios demonstrating design competency and participate in design competitions. Assessment includes design projects, portfolio reviews, and industry certifications in creative software.

View Tennessee CTE Framework →

Typical Course Sequence

Course
Introduction to Digital Arts
Digital Arts & Design I
Digital Arts & Design II
Digital Arts Capstone

View Tennessee course standards →

Industry Certifications & Credentials

Career Opportunities

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.

Graphic Designer

Entry Level
$41,060in Tennessee
National: $47,200-13%

Salary range: $41,060 - $75,750

Adjusted for cost of living: $44,380

-0.1% growth2,000 openings/yr
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Digital Artist

Entry Level
$38,000in Tennessee

Adjusted for cost of living: $41,072

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UX/UI Designer

Experienced
$61,590in Tennessee
National: $98,090-37%

Salary range: $49,560 - $61,590

Adjusted for cost of living: $66,569

+3.2% growth700 openings/yr
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Creative Director

Experienced
$75,820in Tennessee
National: $111,040-32%

Salary range: $60,380 - $105,410

Adjusted for cost of living: $81,950

+2.8% growth200 openings/yr
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Work-Based Learning Opportunities

Students intern at design agencies, marketing firms, entertainment companies, and in-house design departments throughout Tennessee.

Career & Technical Student Organization

Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, DECA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.

How Sage Helps Tennessee CTE Programs

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Tennessee Standards Built In

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Teacher Customization

Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment

Ongoing Updates

Curriculum stays current as Tennessee standards and industry needs evolve

Related Pathways in Tennessee

Audio/Visual Production

Tennessee's Audio/Visual Production pathway prepares students for careers in video production, audio engineering, and media production. Nashville's music industry heritage expands into film, television, podcasting, and streaming media, creating strong demand for production professionals. Students learn camera operation, audio recording and mixing, video editing, lighting design, and production management. Projects include producing short films, documentaries, music videos, and podcast episodes using professional equipment and software. Graduates work as videographers, audio engineers, production assistants, or technical directors with production companies, television stations, music studios, and corporate media departments. Growing opportunities exist in streaming, YouTube, and independent production.

Arts, A/V Technology, & Communications

Digital Communications

Tennessee's Digital Communications pathway prepares students for careers in online content creation, social media management, and digital journalism. Tennessee's media landscape—from traditional news organizations to digital-native publishers—values skilled digital communicators. Students develop competencies in content strategy, social media management, digital writing, multimedia storytelling, and audience analytics. Hands-on work includes creating content for multiple platforms, managing social media accounts, and analyzing audience engagement. Graduates work as content creators, social media managers, digital journalists, or communications specialists. Opportunities span news organizations, marketing departments, nonprofits, and independent content creation.

Arts, A/V Technology, & Communications

Graphic Design

Tennessee's Graphic Design pathway develops specialized skills in visual communication, branding, and design for digital and print media. With growing creative industries in Nashville and other Tennessee cities, graphic designers find employment across diverse sectors. Students master design software, layout principles, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy. Projects range from logo design and brand identity development to website design and marketing materials. Graduates work as graphic designers, brand designers, web designers, or marketing specialists. Many establish freelance design practices or specialize in areas like packaging, advertising, or web design.

Arts, A/V Technology, & Communications

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