HOPE! Real Artists Can Triumph Despite the Rise of AI Art on Zazzle and Print-On-Demand - Here's How

[CreativeLeahG]

Hey there, fellow Zazzlepreneurs,

Having seen the wonderful 'organic' artworks of our recent contest winners I have been giving some thought to the rise of AI art on Zazzle and other platforms (there have been a few topics on Zazzle forum recently regarding AI Art), reflecting on the concerns of natural artists who create their own art with brush, pencil, chalk and pen. And I wanted to give some reassurance that this will come full-circle so that YOU once more hold the cards and have the greater value.

Before getting into it, let me emphasize that your concerns are valid, and they're shared by artists all over the world. There's a sense of unease, a feeling of 'will our art be overshadowed? Can our authenticity compete with AI?' These questions are entirely natural, and I hope to address them and provide some insights to help you navigate this evolving landscape.

Firstly, what is AI Art and why is it capturing the spotlight?

AI art, in simple terms, refers to artworks created with the assistance of artificial intelligence algorithms. These algorithms are programmed to analyze vast amounts of data, learn from it, and generate art based on the patterns and styles they've learned. This can range from creating entirely new pieces to imitating the styles of famous artists and lesser-known ones. The allure of AI art (for the buyer) is partly due to its novelty.

People are fascinated by the idea that a machine, a non-human entity, can produce something as deeply human as art. There's a curiosity to see what AI can create and how it mimics or deviates from human artistic expression.

BUT there is the flip side in that the buyer doesn't know (in all cases) that the art is NOT human-made. AI can now mimic watercolors which is one of the hardest (in my opinion) to recreate without it being a clear 'machine effort' and yet it is seemingly being accomplished.

A few key concerns

Competition with Machines: The very existence of AI-generated art raises the fear that you'll have to compete with machines for recognition and value in the art world. Will your art still be appreciated when AI art can be generated at the push of a button?

Devaluation of Creativity: There's a concern that AI art might lead to a devaluation of human creativity. If machines can replicate styles and techniques, what happens to the artistic uniqueness that has always been at the core of human-made art?

Loss of Artistic Identity: Artists often put a piece of their soul into their work. The worry is that as AI art gains prominence, you might feel a loss of identity or that your art no longer carries the same emotional depth.

Accessibility vs. Exclusivity: AI art, being digital, is incredibly accessible. It can be shared instantly, printed at will, and even modified with ease. In contrast, traditional art often carries an air of exclusivity, which might be jeopardized by the mass availability of AI-generated art.

Copyright and Authenticity: When AI generates derivative works, questions about copyright and authenticity arise. Who owns these new creations, and how do you prove the authenticity of the original work?

Artistic Integrity: Artists often have a vision and a message they wish to convey through their art. The fear is that derivative AI-generated art may not capture the essence and intention of the original piece.

Commercial Implications: If AI can create art that is similar to existing pieces, what happens to the value of the original art? Will it be perceived as less unique or less valuable?

It is a lot cheaper! Prices for graphics packs containing digitally generated art is ridiculously low. Thousands of images for under $10 and often with resale rights because the creator does not have the 'connection' to their AI art that a regular artist would due to it being created in seconds and they can recreate hundreds more in a single day. They themselves do not value their AI art.

These concerns are very real, and it's crucial to acknowledge them. AI's impact on the art world is undeniable, but it's also important to understand that there are ways to navigate this while retaining the essence of what makes your art unique.

Sounds impossible? It isn't!! Take a lesson from history!

One thing that has been a constant in the art world and how it holds the key to preserving the value of your art – scarcity.

The concept of scarcity is not new in the world of art. In fact, it's a principle that has been driving the value of artworks for centuries. The basic idea is that the rarer an artwork is, the more valuable it becomes.

Scarcity Facts

Historical Artifacts: Think about historical artifacts such as the Mona Lisa, the works of Vincent van Gogh, or Michelangelo's sculptures. Their value is immensely high not just because of their artistic excellence but also because they are one-of-a-kind pieces. There's only one original Mona Lisa, and that uniqueness adds to its mystique and value.

Precious Stones: Precious gemstones like diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds also operate on this principle. The rarer the stone, the more it's worth. Artificial diamonds may look the same, but they don't carry the same allure because they're not as scarce as natural diamonds.

Art Curation: Art curators have long known the power of scarcity. They limit the number of exhibitions, prints, or displays of a particular artwork to create a sense of exclusivity. This not only maintains the artwork's value but also builds excitement and anticipation among art enthusiasts.

So, how can you leverage the scarcity principle in the context of AI-generated art and derivative works?

One of the most significant advantages you have as artists and creators is the authenticity of your work. Make it a point to emphasize that your art is born from your personal experiences, emotions, and creative journey. Your customers will value the authenticity and uniqueness of your art.

You can do this via:

• Profile Bio
• Collection details
• Product description
• Craft a BIO-style Media image to accompany ALL your products! This is essential to let all your customers know that this art is hand generated and YOU are your own brand! Perhaps in the future Zazzle can implement a feature that will allow us to add a generic media image to ALL products or to those we select 'enmasse' to avoid the arduous task of trying to add retrospectively to thousands of products  @James ?
• Create Showcased Videos: Videos offer an intimate glimpse into your creative process. They allow your audience to connect with your art on a deeper level, seeing the passion and effort you put into every piece. It reinforces the idea that your art is organic and created with love and care.
• Add Your Signature: Your signature is not just a formality; it's a mark of authenticity. Sign your work, both physically and digitally. It's your personal stamp, a guarantee that each piece is a unique expression of your talent.  With the rise of AI art this is imperative! it will not devalue your art it will increase it's value.

In the face of AI-generated art and derivative works, remember that your originality is your greatest asset. Your art has a story, a depth of emotion, and a personal touch that AI cannot replicate. In an evolving art world, your work will continue to shine brighter, just as scarcity has always added value to artistic treasures. Your art will forever be a beacon of authenticity in a world of machines.

This might not seem the case now, BUT as AI increasingly begins to dominate Print-on-demand sites and every other corner of the art world, it will become the case, so hang in there!!! I am rooting for you.

Ps. With regard to photographers, you should also start to add signatures to your work and apply the same details as advised above to ensure your customers know that YOU and not AI (or public domain) are the origin of the art.

[Susang6]

AI doesn’t create slop people do, when they skip the training, and care that make it reflect real standards.

[Barbara]

And therein lies the problem: people. AI has been tossed out there into the wild to a huge number of people without knowledge nor good taste. Maybe it's people who are most in need of training.

[Bepina]

I have to chime regarding this film vs digital and painting vs photography - it's not comparable.

Taking photos with digital cameras didn't include scanning thousands of photographs taken on film to create new photographs based on them, without ever compensating people who took them. The thing that changed is the medium on which the taken photo was recorded, you still had to have skills and knowledge to take a good photo.

Photography also, it was not a product of looking at numerous pieces of art and based on that creating a device that reproduced them, without compensating painters, it was an invention that enabled real world to be recorded on a new medium, to record a frame of real life, and if you wanted to have a painting, you still had to be able to paint well.

AI on the other hand can only grow and get better and it will probably get so good relatively soon that we won't be able to discern it from human made art. And it will become like that only by scanning human work and using it to improve itself, and it will only be good because of countless artists who poured their time, effort and soul into creating something beautiful, without any compensation or copyright, and it is replacing humans in the very field they are working in. Without art created by humans, AI art would not be possible. Photography on the other hand would still be possible even if human race never painted a single thing.

It saddens me as I work in IT, I witness it every day - my colleague put it well, it's impossible to avoid it and every time we use it, we train it to replace us. That's how I feel by creating any art online now.

[Barbara]

@Bepina 

Bravo!!!

[Amanda23]

I’m very late to this “party,” but you have some awesome thoughts about personalizing one’s art and standing out. You always have great advice. I’m so glad you’re back, Leah. 😊

The idea of creating an artist bio that Zazzle could add to every one of our products is GENIUS!! This would really make me feel valued as a creator, and I think it would be a gesture that could go a long way to improve sentiments regarding the platform right now.