Digital Arts Education Director Shares Top Tips For Aspiring Designers
by Abby Stassen
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Holly Tharp, Full Sail University’s Digital Arts Education Director, knows a thing or two about getting started in the design industry. She earned her bachelor’s in Art Education from Florida State University and has a master’s in Arts Education from the University of Florida. She’s also a working artist who has participated in more than 50 exhibits and was selected by the City of Orlando to create original paintings for visiting musicians at the Kia Center; plus, she leads workshops and maintains an art studio in downtown Orlando. In addition, she has more than 25 years of experience in arts education. Holly joined Full Sail University in 2002. Since then, she’s helped design curriculum for numerous courses and served as a Department Chair for the university’s Computer Animation and Game Art programs; she also spent two years as the Program Director for Graphic Design Online at the Los Angeles Film School. Today, she’s Full Sail’s Digital Arts Education Director, and her experiences in the professional art world as well as academia make her a prime candidate to give advice to up-and-coming designers.
What are some of the most important technical skills someone should have if they want to be successful in the design industry?
If you’re aiming to build a future in design, you’ll need more than just the fundamentals. Figma is now standard for collaboration, and motion design is increasingly key because movement communicates. AI tools aren’t a gimmick; they’re changing how we ideate, iterate, and prototype. Learning to use them effectively will keep your process sharp and competitive. It’s also worth building some fluency in code – not to become a developer, but to better bridge the gap between design and development. And as 3D experiences move into mainstream industries from marketing to product design, tools like Blender or Unreal are becoming increasingly relevant.
What soft skills are important to have?
Technical skills might get you in the door, but it’s your soft skills that keep you there. Being able to clearly explain your ideas, especially through strong storytelling, can make all the difference when you’re pitching concepts or collaborating with a team. Emotional intelligence helps you navigate feedback and work with diverse teams, especially across generations or disciplines. Adaptability, collaboration without ego, and active listening aren’t just buzzwords – they’re how real projects get built and refined. And often, listening carefully is what helps you figure out what a client needs even when they’re not entirely sure themselves.
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What’s your advice for maintaining work/life balance in the industry?
Design culture is shifting away from “hustle-at-all-costs,” and that’s a good thing. Your work should support your life, not overtake it. Setting boundaries isn’t unprofessional; it’s how you protect your focus and energy. Even silencing notifications matters. Make time for screen-free sketching, walking, reading, whatever helps you recharge. Those breaks often fuel your creativity more than nonstop effort ever could. Most importantly, mental health is creative health. Burnout doesn’t just slow you down; it blocks clarity, emotion, and problem-solving. Protect your capacity, not just your output.
Do you have any tips for new designers who are looking for freelance work?
Freelance work today takes more than just a polished portfolio. Show your process, not just the outcome, especially if you’re using tools like AI. Add motion to make your work dynamic, and write a bio that feels human, not generic. Build work that only you can make and focus on real community over clout. The creatives gaining traction now aren’t hiding their process, they’re sharing it. Today’s market favors personality and transparency. If you lead with authenticity and purpose, you won’t just land freelance gigs – you’ll build a career that lasts.
What’s something you wish you’d known when you were first breaking into the design industry?
When I was starting out, I wish someone had told me that my time had value. Exposure doesn’t pay the rent, so be selective with unpaid work – do it only if it genuinely helps you grow. Imposter syndrome? Totally normal. Most people are figuring it out as they go. Great designers aren’t just flashy; they solve real problems and create emotional impact. And while design trends will come and go, it’s the fundamentals that will carry you the farthest.
To learn more about Full Sail University and its Graphic Design degree program, visit fullsail.edu.
