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.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Introduction to Digital Arts |
| Digital Arts & Design I |
| Digital Arts & Design II |
| Digital Arts Capstone |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Premiere Pro
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - After Effects
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Visual Design Specialist
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Video Design Specialist
- ✓Unity Certified User - Programmer
- ✓Unity Certified User - Artist
- ✓Unity Certified User - VR Developer
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Photoshop
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 LevelSalary range: $41,060 - $75,750
Adjusted for cost of living: $44,380
Digital Artist
Entry LevelAdjusted for cost of living: $41,072
UX/UI Designer
ExperiencedSalary range: $49,560 - $61,590
Adjusted for cost of living: $66,569
Creative Director
ExperiencedSalary range: $60,380 - $105,410
Adjusted for cost of living: $81,950
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students intern at design agencies, marketing firms, entertainment companies, and in-house design departments throughout Tennessee.
Career & Technical Student Organization
How Sage Helps Tennessee CTE Programs
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Tennessee Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Tennessee's CTE standards and frameworks
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, & CommunicationsDigital 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, & CommunicationsGraphic 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.
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