Vander Zaag began working with computers and video early in her career. Shortly after completing her studies at the University of Western Ontario, she began working on a series of videotapes called the Digit Series (1977-1980). The tapes became a feature on The Gina Show, producer John Anderson's weekly cable television program in Vancouver for artists. This program featured an "anthropomorphic cartoon-like figure who had a series of digital (as opposed to analog) adventures."