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Art and Technology

Technology in its most primitive nature has produced an ample amount of inventions suited not only for practical applications but also for artistic innovation. Even before the invention of computers and the internet, technology has produced taken-for-granted inventions like the ingenious portable paint tube.[1] In the 21st century, technology has allowed for more advanced products that spur communication, collaboration, communities to form, creativity, and convergence.

New media in art and technology ranges from inventions of physical devices to cater to a different way of producing artwork and online platforms to create or post said artwork. An example of an online platform is programs catered for digital art; this includes Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Paint Tool Sai, FireAlpaca and more. Other online platforms catered to content-creators are sites like DeviantArt, ArtStation, CGSociety, Drawcrowd, Pixiv, etc., where users are given a place to post their artwork. Some popular social media sites not catered specifically to artists, like Twitter and Instagram, have also been used as a common platform for artists to express and market themselves for future companies interested.[2]

As modern technology has smartphones and computers, there's bound to be the technology that suits all kinds of needs. One of them being, technology expanded for art. One might think that art and technology are as different as day and night. On the contrary, they are nothing but roommates. Alice Gregory of the New York Times states that "software engineers and art dealers may pass one another on the High Line, the two worlds art and technology could not be any different in fact they are parallel universes that rarely intersect." Art along with technology gives you a different byproduct that art alone would not be able to ascend to. As a result, there's a whole new crowd that is now attracted by technology as an extension for their artistic talents. Art comes into play for every decision that has been made. Why would you choose a Ferrari over Toyota? Why choosing an iPhone over a flip phone? Well, I think it is simple. The artistic engineering approach when designing a Ferrari is simply better than a regular Toyota. Ellen Amerman of the Wall Street Journal reported in her February,2013 issue that New York mega-dealer Larry Gagosian said "Art comes between buying the Ferrari and getting the kids into college," who added that he sees "tremendous potential" from tech entrepreneurs as they grow older.[3][4]

Digital Art

Technology is an essential element to create digital art. Regular art such as digital art, drawing, painting, and sculpture is transformed into digital and virtual reality with the help of the technology used from new media. Like regular art, digital artists can also be as creative and abstract as possible. Digital art is more enhanced, and is often preferred, as technology is so essential to society today. Digital art is important to all the videos that can be seen, as visual effects are produced by digital art. This kind of art can be drawn from online softwares such as -vector graphics using a tablet, or a photograph can be scanned[5].

While Digital art is a type of art, there is a misconception that digital art isn't real art. While digital artists can "undo" their mistakes if any, real artists can't make any mistakes. Real artists on the other hand have to proficient in working with different art tools such as: mixing colors and pigments, pencils, and brushes. Another difference is that real artists will only have one original work piece, while digital artists can produce many copies of the same work piece[6].

Calligraphy

With more art styles taking on a digital form, hand lettering and calligraphy now have new tools and technology which allow calligraphers to use high tech mechanical pencils in combination with hand held devices to create the same artistic effects. The different pen pressures that can created with Apple Pencils combined with the simple drawing apps on the iPad Pro allow for unique flourishes or even an old time calligraphy effect that as used long ago. People can use this option to crate personalized cards, e-Vites, or digital images for posters and et cetera. Where calligraphy used to be used for hand written cards and labeling, it can now be used just about anywhere with its digitization. [7]

Artificial Intelligence and Art

Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence, or AI, can create art of its own. When Google fed its neural networks random noise, it produced beautiful art.

A beautiful piece of surrealist art created by Google's AI neural networks, when fed random noise with which to produce an image.
Another piece of art created by Google's AI. What do you see?

According to Business Insider, Google has named this form of art "inceptionism." Google also made its code open-source and has called it "DeepDream," so that others could make their own art using Google's code. The ability of AI to create beautiful works of art raises questions about the meaning of art, who and what can create it, and will also raise quandaries about the nature of creativity. If our computers can create art of increasingly complexity and beauty, where will human artists stand in a few short years? What will happen once the artistic capacity of AI surpasses that of humankind? Will there always be a market for human-created products, even as AI becomes more and more prevalent in our society? All these questions and more are increasingly relevant.

From Paper to Digital Art

Many people are still used to drawing with a pencil and paper, but now there are devices like the ISKN that can transform your paper drawn work into digital art as you draw. The digital platform enhances the work into a high-resolution image for easy sharing. The artwork can be transformed live and even recorded to your phone, tablet or computer. The digital platform of the ISKN app makes it really easy to share your artwork on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, and Instagram. The art communities online have grown since digitizing art, the ISKN helps artists get their content out for others to see with high quality. The ease of sharing has helped independent artists grow and expand with more views and clients due to social media sharing of the app and art enhancements.

The ISKN slate- Paper drawing conversion to digital art through the ISKN app and Slate

[8].

Illustration Programs

These art programs cater to creators who wish to paint, draw, or sketch some digital artwork. The programs offer various tools of convenience to the artist and allow them to foster creativity through the added accessories provided in said programs. One example is the symmetry tool, which allows the user to draw symmetrically by reflecting their strokes at different angles of their choosing. Another example is the gradient tool which recolors a picture using only a specific set of colors. It's important to note that not all these programs share the same features and therefore, artists lean towards certain programs better than others. For example, for artists who are just starting out or prefer a simpler interface, they may use the program Paint Tool SAI as its popularity comes from its sleek and user-friendly interface.




Microsoft Paint and Paint 3D

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Perhaps one of the most widely known and used painting programs, Microsoft Paint is one of the default programs installed on all Windows computers. The program's popularity comes from its default installation and its simplicity. This free-to-use program allows users to perform basic image manipulations with the use of the many simple tools it offers such as paintbrushes of different sizes, color picker, and various shape outlines.


In 2017, Microsoft released another drawing program, titled Paint 3D. Briefly meant to be a successor to the famous Microsoft Paint program, Paint 3D now coexists with Microsoft Paint as a second free-to-use program for Windows 10 users. It maintains the features of Microsoft Paint while also allowing users to further express their creativity through tools that allow them to create 3D content.[9]

Paint Tool SAI

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SAI or Easy Paint Tool Sai (ペイントツールSAI) is a high quality and lightweight painting software, with fully digitizer support, allowing for easy and stable operation and amazing anti-aliased paintings. For users who prefer a much simpler and less intimidating interface than Photoshop, SAI is certainly a best fit for beginners dabbling in digital art. It was developed by SYSTEMAX Inc. and it was officially released (v1.0.0) on February 25, 2008. The software is only available for Microsoft Windows from 98 to 10.[10]

Sai program.png


PaintTool SAI Ver.2 was later released, which added some significant upgrades to SAI, while still maintaining its simplicity. Some of its most notable changes involved the change in brush settings display, the addition of a ruler, and giving the user the ability to add text. Both programs cost 5400 JPY or approximately 48 USD and is a popular illustration program used by both beginners and experts.

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However, much like most software or digital products sold online, SAI is frequently pirated by other users and there are many sources a consumer can find online to download the program for free. No reputable sources have spoken about this issue, but it has become such a common phenomenon among users that it is not difficult to look up a quick example. There seems to be no immediate or direct consequence, considering most users feel they can easily share this product with others for free. Examples include other users offering links and tutorials for direct download or how to download the software without purchase.



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openCanvas

openCanvas is a painting software developed by Portalgraphics.net (PGN) from Japan.

Similar to Paint Tool SAI, openCanvas also uses analog-like brush strokes and a user-friendly interface. However, openCanvas also offers unique functions, such as the "Event" function that enables to record and replay your drawing procedure. There is a community through the portalgraphics website as well as the openCanvas mobile app that allows users to upload their recordings for people to comment and rate. [11]

When the original version of openCanvas came out, there was also a function to live-draw with a friend of yours through the program using the internet. However, depending on the internet provider, the function does not always work out and was eventually scrapped from the future versions.


Procreate

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Procreate is an iPad application that allows for the refined creativity of artists and illustrators in the digital age. Now compatible with the Apple Pencil, new media has made it possible for this conversion from the regular pencil and paper art combination to a more digitalized and technological capacity.

Examples of various brushes built-in with Procreate

Effectively utilizing Apple Pencil's palm-rest resistance and precision in strokes, the app allows for incredible resolutions of work with its 64-bit colors, numerous brushes, layering, and an overall more cohesive set of customizable tools for a more remarkably accurate translation of each artist's desired vision. [12]


These robust features make the app more suitable for illustrators who yearn for a dynamic set-up that pays attention to various tweaking effects, blur manipulation, and more. Currently, Procreate is available on the App Store for $9.99. Procreate also offers the ability to convert to psd files, providing an interwoven connection with Adobe products for more seamless design. Evidently, Procreate is a highly sought-after application when juxtaposed with the experience that can be gained with these advanced and curated updates to allow an illustrator's creativity to truly take shape.[13]

Procreate has come out with Procreate Pocket, a version of the design application for Iphone. It is half of the price of it's iPad version, at $4.99 on the App Store [14] allowing designers the ability to continue to work on their pieces on the go, from their handheld device.

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Neural Doodles

Neural Doodles is a new machine learning tool, which will transform your art draft (rough draft) into a fantastic masterpiece; it can be classified as an AI-illustration program. "Neural Patches lets the algorithm process images in a context-sensitive manner. Now, when style transfer techniques are extended with controls and annotations, they can process images in a meaningful way: reducing glitches and increasing user control."[15] This machine learning tool creates an algorithm (a model) based on Neural Network, which will detects deficiencies from your draft drawing, remove them and create a complete art piece.

Adobe Systems

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Adobe Systems Incorporated is an American multinational computer software company headquartered in San Jose, California, United States. It is a computer software company that specializes in creating art in digital form. Their most notable programs consist of Photoshop, the Portable Document Format (PDF), Adobe Creative Suite, and eventually Adobe Creative Cloud. [16]

The Adobe Creative Suite consists of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Flash player, and etc.

Adobe also has its own online portfolio destination called Behance. Adobe created Behance in 2006 to provide an online platform for creators to publish their work. The site attracts millions of project views per month, making it a leading website for people to showcase their talents.


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Adobe Illustrator

Somewhat similar to Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator is also a vector graphics editor that specializes in creating graphic imagery such as vector illustrations and logo designs. The files are saved in high definition such as 300 DPI file formats so it can be later used and be published in actual print production. A few disadvantages to using Adobe Illustrator is that it does not have a way to set up master pages the way that InDesign does, and they do not allow you to automate page numbers. Both of these disadvantages are allowed to be created on InDesign.


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Adobe Photoshop

Under the Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Photoshop is a raster-graphics editor software created by Adobe Systems Incorporated and is available on Windows and OSX. It was created in 1988 by Thomas and John Knoll.

Photoshop edits and creates raster images by allowing the user to create multiple "layers", and "masks", and various color models such as "RGB", "CMYK", "Grayscale", "spot duotone", and "duotone". [17] Since Photoshop is basically an all-in-one alternative for all other Adobe software, it includes basic features featured in Illustrator and InDesign; despite its impressive hub of tools, it is not as specialized as Adobe software tailored to specific hobbies. Since Photoshop is pixel or raster based, it is not ideal to create a logo on Photoshop. It is also to best not use Photoshop when creating a print because it should be vector based, as Photoshop uses pixels instead.


Adobe After Effects

After Effects is more complicated video creation tool. Unlike Premiere, users can create videos in 3D and use other tools. As Adobe's "heavier-lift" video editing software, After Effects can be used for more detail oriented video projects like kinetic type and 3D videos.


Adobe InDesign.png

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Indesign is a desktop publishing application created by Adobe Systems Incorporated. The main purpose is for designing print layouts such as brochures, books, magazines, ads, newsletters, business cards, etc. Many graphic designers use this program to help layout their publication before getting them printed. It is a good program for visualizing and laying out images and text easily with column grids. Another great option that InDesign provides is that by compiling files and artwork from Photoshop and Illustrator, due to the large files that are often put together, InDesign allows you to package everything together, fonts and images included. A limitation to InDesign is that it does not allow you to edit photos.


Art Devices

Graphics Tablet

A graphics tablet is a handheld computer device that allows the user to create hand-drawn images, graphics, and animations. Like how people would draw with pencils or paintbrushes onto paper. However, these hand-drawn images or graphics and animations end up in digital format instead of traditional paper. One notable company that creates graphics tablet is Wacom Co., Ltd. [18]

The pen that comes with the graphics tablet contains pressure sensitivity that works like a mouse for a computer. It can be used like a pen, pencil, and a paintbrush. Many illustrators use graphic tablets to illustrate their digital artwork through various digital programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Easy Paint Tool SAI, and openCanvas. Marvelous art work are drawn and painted through the use of these painting programs. Usually edited many times throughout a common feature of the programs called multiple layers. When artworks are completed, artists make use of social media art sites such as Deviant Art or Pixiv to upload their artwork for additional feedback from the artist and creative community. Which involves alot of sharing and providing feedback to other shared art. People have painted portraits, landscapes, and RPG characters with the tablets, but it may be a more eco-friendly alternative to painting and drawing on paper.

Apps and software like Inspire Pro and Adobe Illustrator Draw are meant for handheld devices like the new iPad Pro. With the new Apple pencil which is reported to have "4096, alongside a 12-gram activation force," the technology surrounding graphics tablets is expanding and creating a closer resemblance to real life pencil art but in digital form. The details on graphics tablets are even better when paired with layering devices like the Wacom Intuos4 Graphics Tablet mentioned in Digital Art. [19]

As a marketing tool from Portalgraphics, a software company that developed Open Canvas, they would upload speed paintings of people using Open Canvas onto Youtube. Chances are, all of these artists uses some kind of graphics tablet. [20]

3D Pens

Inventor of the first 3D printing pen, "Pete Dilworth, co-founder and inventor of 3Doodler", allowed users to use PLA or ABS plastics filaments to create their own unique objects without the hefty price of the massive printers. With a feed at one end and a nib at the other, all one has to do it insert the colored plastic filaments and create an object in the air. This can be used for practical purposes such as making a piece from a broken or misplaced object like a remote control battery cover or just for fun modeling projects. The 3Dooldler even had a rocket launch which was a rocket case made completely out of the PLA and ABS plastics. These plastics are very sturdy and hard to break which is why many people even make phone covers out of them. This item allows for a more practical, less expensive but also less accurate way of 3D printing at home. [21]

3D Printing

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3D printing has advanced the way we are able to create ideas and bring them into the physical world. When this revolution is combined with the artists skill and craft, the door to possibilities seem endless. Instead of sculpting, artists can design their ideas on a digital tablet and then let the 3D printer do the rest. But the artistic creativity doesn't have to stop there, the artist can then add his/her personal touch to the printed piece. They could modify it until they find it unique enough to call their own creation.[22]

Makerhub

Baruch offers their own 3D printing space through the Starr Career Development Center, called Makerhub. [23] Makerhub is a space where students can create their own 3D models, learn to code and design as well as integrate robotics into their work. This is a free workshop space that is made possible due to Baruch students' technology fees. [24]

Art Sites

DeviantArt

DeviantArt functions as a community and a gallery as well. Artists can upload their works for people around the world to view and comment on. There are currently over 250 million members worldwide and the website boasts a daily submission amount of over 100,000 images. Just as YouTube is for videos, and Instagram is for pictures, DeviantArt is for artists. Many artists are found through DeviantArt and many artists are also hired and recruited directly from the website. Many users take requests and there are always a need for something to be drawn. Whether it is an advertisement, a video game character, or a simple comic strip, artists from DeviantArt are abundant and available. Another great features if the website is that, it allows artist to sell their digital art work, this gives the artist an opportunity to continue on their passion. [25]


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ArtStation

ArtStation offers an option for artist to make their dream possible. This platform allows them to build a community around them, that supports and inspire. ArtStation website has an average of 3 million views per day, and has about 70 thousand unique viewers. This platform offers a membership options to artists who are interested in selling their art. There are two types of membership, the Plus plan and the Pro Plan. Plus plan allows the artist to do the basic things, such as creating a webpage to showcase your art works, enabling them to easily create a portfolio or share blogs. The Pro Plan, offers a 95% profit for the artist on any digital product and additional 5% for any print copy, on top of the Plus plan. All in all, ArtStation is very similar to DevianArt. However, the only main differences between the two is ArtStation tends to offer more 3D and 2D art work, people who is more into this niche tends to use this platform over DevianArt.

Modern Impacts

Dos

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Like most teens in NYC during the 1980’s Dos (an acronym for Department of Sanitation) was intrigued by all means of creating his own identity. Before entering the world of graffiti, Dos idolized graffiti writers who frequently tagged New York City trash trucks that were parked across the street from where he lived in Astoria, New York and gave birth to his name.

Over the years his passion for being different brought him to a direct focus on art with an emphasis on 3D printing. Dos taught himself 3D modeling and is considered a pioneer as the first graffiti artist to convert graffiti into 3D sculptures which can be found on display as street installations. As he continues his approach to brand the DOS stamp, his study and collaborations with artists of various disciplines steadily feeds his growth.[26]

References

  1. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/never-underestimate-the-power-of-a-paint-tube-36637764/
  2. https://influencedigest.com/lifestyle/20-talented-artists-who-using-social-media-express-work
  3. http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323384604578328121811415726
  4. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/04/fashion/art-and-techology-a-clash-of-cultures.html?_r=0
  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_art
  6. http://design.tutsplus.com/articles/is-digital-art-real-art-facts-and-myths-about-digital-creating--cms-22010
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6mVlIeBsVg
  8. http://iskn.co
  9. https://www.onmsft.com/news/microsoft-paint-app-windows-10
  10. http://systemax.jp/en/sai/
  11. http://www.portalgraphics.net/en/oc/
  12. https://designshack.net/articles/graphics/procreate-5-reasons-it-could-replace-photoshop/
  13. https://www.wired.com/story/sketching-drawing-apps-ipad-pro/
  14. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/procreate-pocket/id916366645?mt=8
  15. https://nucl.ai/blog/neural-doodles/
  16. http://www.adobe.com
  17. http://www.adobe.com
  18. http://www.wacom.com/en-us
  19. https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/5/15741104/new-apple-pencil-announced-faster-surface-pen-wwdc-2017
  20. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-_O9aGu7aT9htk6eZbSnew
  21. https://3dprint.com/45523/3doodled-rocket-launched/
  22. https://gizmodo.com/9-amazing-pieces-of-art-sculpted-entirely-by-3d-printer-1522196785
  23. http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/careers/students/
  24. https://blogs.baruch.cuny.edu/fieldcenter/3d-printing-and-arduino-workshops/
  25. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeviantArt
  26. https://www.instagram.com/becooldonttrip/