When we think of a master artist, what comes to mind? You probably think Van Gogh’s painting, Starry Night. Perhaps you remember Michelangelo’s the Creation of Adam. Picasso, Monet, Da Vinci, Dali, O’Keeffe… the list goes on and on. We can recall famous artists from around the world who pushed themselves to the absolute limit and mastered their art. However, there’s one thing in common with the greatest
artists that many people remember when the topic comes up. They all used a brush, canvas, paints, and pencils. These tools were the only way to go about painting, sketching, and drawing during the time when these artists practised their trade. However, digital art has become increasingly prevalent in the last few years. The tools for creating art on your computer have become more sophisticated and accessible as time has gone on. Now, young artists can access a digital representation of any tool just by clicking the mouse a few times. A graphic designer is more likely to be versed in Photoshop and Illustrator than paints and brushes. Toronto is filled with artists who are breaking all of the rules of the traditional mediums and taking up the digital path. What does this mean for a business? What format works better for your needs? Is a digital copy the same as the traditional foundation? This article takes a look at all of these questions to explain the difference between traditional and digital art.
Tangible Versus Abstract: How Real World Art Brings Pros and Cons to the Table
Painting on canvas, creating a wire structure, or carving a statue out of clay creates a tangible product. This is great for many of the “upscale” forms of displaying and discussing art. If you go to an artist’s exhibit at a gallery, many of the shows you will see are focused around actual physical pieces of art created with traditional methods. Digital art, by contrast, tends to be a file on a hard drive that can be passed around. There are pros and cons to either format. Digital art allows you to put the files on a USB stick, tuck it in your pocket and carry it around with you. While digital art can be printed out on a canvas, there’s high costs associated with professional printing and backing. However, art created on a computer can be transported instantly. No time is needed for ink or paint to dry. There are tradeoffs with either way of creating art. Therefore, it behooves your company to check and see what kind of art you need for your upcoming campaign. A physical structure certainly has its pros for campaigns, especially ones that need to draw attention in public. However, digital art is versatile, straightforward, and has less risk associated with it. A graphic designer is far more likely to know the ins and outs of digital art. Toronto is a big city with room for either mode of creation. Each style has its benefits and drawbacks.
Is Your Company Courting Risk By Choosing One Medium Over the Other?
Each style also has its own risks. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Ace of Cakes, or Cake Boss, you probably know that the most nail biting parts of every episode is when the cake itself needs to be moved. Whether it’s from the baking table onto a portable tray, or in a van across the city, dozens of precautions need to be taken to ensure the cake doesn’t take a spill and get everywhere. Physical art has many of the same issues. If you try to take a huge canvas painting or a sculpture across long distances, you could be courting disaster. Of course, digital art isn’t risk free. A graphic designer has probably had the heart stopping moment where the computer shuts off suddenly. You scramble to make sure you saved and you have a backup copy. Losing a hard drive or failing to back up your work can mean that hours of work just vanish into the ether. No matter which form you choose, be aware of each format’s risks.
How These Two Forms of Art Differ at a Glance
Many of the leading digital art programs like Photoshop and Manga Studio offer digital representations of popular art tools. Sketchbook Pro allows users access to a digital version of the entire Copic marker library, while Manga Studio 5 allows users to create virtual watercolours. Does this remove the barriers between art? Does everything look the same no matter where it came from? Not quite. There are some visual differences between the two mediums. Digital art, being created on a monitor without tangible materials, has a distinct look to it. A digital piece often looks “shinier” than it’s physical counterpart. A graphic designer is less limited by the physical properties of paint and canvas. Toronto streets are busy, and a piece of digital art might stand out better amongst the competition with the bright, flat look of virtual brushes. However, physical art allows for a more full experience. Seeing every brush stroke and layer of paint goes a long way for helping a viewer engage with a piece.
Which Piece Represents Your Brand Better?
A graphic designer knows that you should take a different approach depending on the public perception of your brand. Toronto is full of many different companies with their own visual styles. If Coca Cola released a gritty art campaign with heavy brush strokes and thick layers of paint, it would just feel wrong even if it had the signature red background and white swirl. Meanwhile, a smaller brand with a more defiant attitude releasing a sleek, glossy piece of marketing would feel out of character. Before you make a decision, remember to consider your brand’s existing image.
When you’re looking for a graphic designer for your next campaign, you’ll have no shortage of choices. Choosing someone in the city of Toronto will require you to sift through their portfolios and take a look at what they have to offer. While there are many different styles and artistic choices someone can make, one of the biggest divides is between digital and traditional art.
