Vector vs. Raster: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter for Digital Artists?

If you’re new to digital art, or even if you’ve been at it a while, you’ve probably heard the terms vector and raster thrown around. Maybe someone said, “That’s a vector file” or “Oops, it’s too pixelated — it must be raster.” And you were like... okay cool... but what does that mean, exactly? Honestly, same. I had no idea what the difference was before I sat down and did my research. In this guide, I’ll break down everything I learned about vector and raster art, when to use each one, what tools to try, and how it affects the way you create, share, and sell your work.