Abstract:
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.
