Sunday, February 22, 2015

Digital Gallery

Social media today has revolutionized the many ways people interact and receive data. It can be used for just about anything and everything.  One of the major things that social media has helped people in the last decade are self-promotions. This being people or artists, who use social media to promote his/her own ideas and work, such as photography, music, videos, and even artwork.
Today there are many different social sharing networks, specializing in aiding artists. These include sites like DeviantArt, Tumblr, YouTube, and even Instagram.  Due to the popularity of these Medias, artists are now able to upload the work onto digital galleries to display to the world.  An artist is now able to receive comments and feedbacks on his/her work quicker than ever.


How exactly has social media really helped artists?
Well to put in simply, it has changed how artist can share and get obtain art. Due to the social media, artist now have a wider audience to display their work for. Unlike before, many artists had a harder time trying to share their work and it was even harder to become a popular artist at that. Networking has become a big part of becoming an artist. But, now just by going on social media, artists can find millions of other artists. There artists can easily interact with other artists, who share common interests and styles. Artist can also attract more curators and other people who want to help display their work.

How is an artist’s work displayed on social media?
DeviantArt search gallery
                Social media gives artists many options on how they can display their work virtually. Artists can use places like DeviantArt and Instagram that uses a gallery style. This format is most common and is very easy to use. An artist can just upload their work and write a quick description of the piece. It easily displays all of the artist’s work and can be easily accessed to a wide audience.
Tumblr dashboard
Another form an artist can use is blogging. An artist can set up an art blog, much like their own website just to display their artwork. Artists can use sites such as Tumblr and Blogger. Blogging is a can become a little more difficult, because it can take a little more time to set up. Artists have more options as how they want the artwork to be displayed. Essentially, the artist has the opportunity to set up a customizable gallery.

Example of Tumblr blog, various layouts
One last way, an artist can display their art is using a digital portfolio. Much like a traditional portfolio, artists organize their work virtually into folders of their different type of styles. By having a digital portfolio, an artist can easily submit it for career opportunities, and applying for art programs and/or schools via email or other forms online. Artists who are freelance can also use it when commissioning jobs.

What else can an artist do with social media?

Well, for starters with there being so many social medias, an artist can now become more aware of more opportunities. Artists can find listings calling for entries, art competitions, art scholarships, exhibitions, and other art events. They can also keep up to date with art news and other happenings. With just a simple search, an artist can find many web links and attachments that can help them spread out into the world.