Digital art is artwork that is made or shown using technology. This includes different types of art like digital painting, 3D modeling, digital photography, and generative art.
Unlike traditional art, which uses things like canvas, paper, or clay, digital art is created on computers and other digital devices. A survey from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2017 found that 54% of American artists used digital media in their work. This shows that a lot of artists are now using digital tools in their art.
Digital art started becoming popular in the mid-20th century when computers and technology began to emerge. Here’s a quick look at how it has developed over the years:
1950s - 1960s: Early tests in computer graphics took place. One of the pioneers was Ben Laposky, who made something called "Electronic Abstractions" using machines called oscilloscopes. This was when artists first started using computers for their art.
1970s: The first digital art show, called "Cybernetic Serendipity," was held in London in 1968. This event showed how art and technology could come together. Artists like Frieder Nake and Harold Cohen began creating algorithms—basic sets of instructions—for making visual art.
1980s: With personal computers and graphic programs becoming available, artists had new tools to work with. Programs like MacPaint and Adobe Photoshop (which started in 1988) made digital art easier for more people to create.
1990s: The internet opened up new ways for digital artists to share their work. New technologies for web design allowed for art to be shown online.
2000s: Digital art became more popular with better digital photography and image editing software. Websites like DeviantArt (started in 2000) allowed artists to display and sell their work online.
2010s to Now: The spread of smartphones and tablets changed how digital art is made. Apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco let artists create great artwork while on the go. Social media platforms like Instagram also gave artists a chance to show their work to a larger audience.
As of 2021, the global market for digital art was worth about 24.6 billion, which is a growth rate of about 20.5% each year.
A 2020 report found that 29% of collectors bought digital art in the year before.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) changed the game for digital art. In the first half of 2021, NFT sales hit 13.7 million in 2020.
Digital art has come a long way since it first started in the mid-20th century. With new technology, what digital art means and how it looks keeps changing. Nowadays, digital artists use advanced tools to create their art and find new ways to share and sell it. This has built a lively community that pushes creative limits and adds to the larger world of art. As technology continues to grow, digital art will remain an important and exciting way for people to express themselves creatively.
Digital art is artwork that is made or shown using technology. This includes different types of art like digital painting, 3D modeling, digital photography, and generative art.
Unlike traditional art, which uses things like canvas, paper, or clay, digital art is created on computers and other digital devices. A survey from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2017 found that 54% of American artists used digital media in their work. This shows that a lot of artists are now using digital tools in their art.
Digital art started becoming popular in the mid-20th century when computers and technology began to emerge. Here’s a quick look at how it has developed over the years:
1950s - 1960s: Early tests in computer graphics took place. One of the pioneers was Ben Laposky, who made something called "Electronic Abstractions" using machines called oscilloscopes. This was when artists first started using computers for their art.
1970s: The first digital art show, called "Cybernetic Serendipity," was held in London in 1968. This event showed how art and technology could come together. Artists like Frieder Nake and Harold Cohen began creating algorithms—basic sets of instructions—for making visual art.
1980s: With personal computers and graphic programs becoming available, artists had new tools to work with. Programs like MacPaint and Adobe Photoshop (which started in 1988) made digital art easier for more people to create.
1990s: The internet opened up new ways for digital artists to share their work. New technologies for web design allowed for art to be shown online.
2000s: Digital art became more popular with better digital photography and image editing software. Websites like DeviantArt (started in 2000) allowed artists to display and sell their work online.
2010s to Now: The spread of smartphones and tablets changed how digital art is made. Apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco let artists create great artwork while on the go. Social media platforms like Instagram also gave artists a chance to show their work to a larger audience.
As of 2021, the global market for digital art was worth about 24.6 billion, which is a growth rate of about 20.5% each year.
A 2020 report found that 29% of collectors bought digital art in the year before.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) changed the game for digital art. In the first half of 2021, NFT sales hit 13.7 million in 2020.
Digital art has come a long way since it first started in the mid-20th century. With new technology, what digital art means and how it looks keeps changing. Nowadays, digital artists use advanced tools to create their art and find new ways to share and sell it. This has built a lively community that pushes creative limits and adds to the larger world of art. As technology continues to grow, digital art will remain an important and exciting way for people to express themselves creatively.