How Do You Cite Digital Art in Chicago Style?

The digital age has allowed for an unprecedented level of creativity, with artists able to create works of art that can be seen and appreciated around the world with the click of a mouse. However, as with any type of creative work, proper citation is essential in order to give credit where it is due and avoid plagiarism. So, how do you cite digital art in Chicago Style?

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) provides a comprehensive set of guidelines for citing digital artworks. When citing digital art in Chicago style, you should provide information such as the artist’s name, the title of the artwork (if available), the medium used to create it (e.g., software/programs used), and any relevant URL or other location where it can be viewed online.

For example, if you were to cite a 3D animation created by an artist using Maya software, your citation might look something like this:

Last Name, First Name. Title of Work (if available). Medium used (Maya). Date Accessed.

If you are citing an artwork that is not available online or for which no information is provided about its original creator or date created, you should simply provide as much information as possible about the artwork itself and its current location. For instance:

Title of Work (if available). Medium used (software/programs used).

Location where it can be viewed.

In addition to providing basic bibliographic information about a work, CMOS also recommends that authors include additional details such as identifying marks and/or distinguishing features when describing works of art such as sculptures and paintings. For example: “The bronze sculpture depicts a woman holding a staff in her left hand.”

It is important to remember that all citations should be consistent and formatted correctly in order to be valid sources of information. If you are unsure how to properly cite digital art in Chicago style, consult your instructor or other reliable sources for guidance before submitting your work.

Conclusion: Citing digital art in Chicago style requires providing basic bibliographic information such as the artist’s name and title of the artwork (if available), along with details about its medium and location where it can be viewed online. Additional details such as identifying marks or distinguishing features may also need to be included when describing works such as sculptures or paintings. It is important to ensure all citations are consistent and formatted correctly in order to avoid plagiarism so it is best practice to seek guidance from reliable sources before submitting your work.