Mr. Whitacre Discusses Digital Art
The Crusader took some time to find out more about the elective Art courses taught by Mr. Whitacre.
CRUSADER: What’s some goals for this year?
Mr. Whitacre: My main goal this year (and every year) is for my students to make the kind of art that both makes them proud and matches their potential. Students have so many good ideas but are sometimes unsure of how to best execute them in Photoshop. I’d like to remove that obstacle so students are free to really make the kind of art that they want to make without making any sacrifices due to not understand the technology.
CRUSADER: Any projects that stand out? If so, why?
Mr. Whitacre: I don’t know that I have too many projects that stand out amongst the other at this point in time. In Digital Design I, they all tend to follow the same premise of teaching a new tool in Photoshop while allowing at least a little freedom for students to add their own creative flair. This little bit of agency in the student is what I always look forward to the most. I’m always wondering, what will they turn in that’s really going to take me by surprise?
CRUSADER: Your favorite project to give? Why?
Mr. Whitacre: One of my favorite projects to give is somewhat of a two-part project. When possible, I like to have students do a big unit on character design. Students study different character designs from video games, comics, movies, and cartoons. Then, after learning what kind of factors go into character design, the students create design their own unique character. Once the students create their characters, students are paired up to create a Comic Book Cover for the comic that tells the story of their two characters interacting.
Honestly, it’s my favorite project simply because it’s fun. I love seeing what characters students come up with. Even more than that, I love seeing the story they craft that puts two characters together – either as allies or as enemies. There’s always some interesting combinations between characters. Sometimes the characters fit together perfectly, and other times they fit together so poorly that it makes a much more interesting Comic Book Cover.
CRUSADER: Why should someone take this course?
Mr. Whitacre: If you’re referring to Digital Design I, I would say they should take it because it’s fun. We tend to have fun with the projects and t’s a great way to learn about how to use Photoshop which can be used for a lot of different features. Also, everyone can use Photoshop in different interesting ways. It is fun to learn about art and it’s fun to learn how to make it.
CRUSADER: Do you think digital art will take over or even be as popular as canvas/painting arts of that sort?
Mr. Whitacre: Honestly, digital art is probably more popular than you think depending on how you view the term “popular.” Museums will still have more traditional media with paint, paper, and canvas but in terms of working artists, many have switched to digital. Think of all the concept artists for movies, video games, and even many comic book artists. A lot of them are digital artists now. I think more art that is viewed on a daily basis is probably created digitally than art that is made traditionally. But traditional art might still fill up more museums.
CRUSADER: How did you come about teaching this course? Is it something you wanted to do?
Mr. Whitacre: I ended up teaching this class the first year I began teaching at Moeller. The class existed before me so I wasn’t a true pioneer of Digital Design but I have evolved the class over time. Digital Design is something that I was always interested in but did not get a great chance to play around with much. When I was at Moeller, we didn’t have tablets. We had laptops, but not ones we could draw on with a stylus. The year after me got the first tablet at Moeller and I was always a little salty about that. So, yes, it is something I’ve always been interested in and I’m glad I have been able to teach this class.
A big thanks to Mr. Whitacre for taking the time to talk with The Crusader!