Digital art: what it is and how it is present in today's world

What is digital art and how did this form of expression emerge

The first experiments date back to the 1960s, when artists such as Vera Molnár and Harold Cohen began using computers as a creative tool. Over time, the tools became more accessible and the field expanded significantly.

The concept of what is digital art rests on a simple idea: any work created or presented through digital means falls into this category. To better understand its boundaries, it is worth looking at some milestones in its evolution:

• 1960s — first experiments with algorithms and computers as a creative tool.
• 1990s — arrival of Adobe Photoshop and the democratisation of graphic tools.
• 2000s — expansion of digital illustration and motion design in the commercial market.
• 2010s — growth of online communities and digital art sharing platforms.
• 2020s — entry of artificial intelligence as an artistic creation tool.

What are the most relevant types of digital art today

The variety within digital art is greater than many imagine. Some create detailed illustrations, others programme algorithms to generate images, and others combine photography with virtual elements. Each approach has its own language and its own audience. The most relevant types today are organised as follows.

• Digital illustration
• Generative art
• Motion design and animation
• Digitally manipulated photography
• Art created with artificial intelligence

Digital illustration

Digital illustration is the most present type in everyday life. Book covers, video game characters, content for social media — all of this passes through the hands of digital illustrators. Among the most recognisable digital art examples are the visual productions of Pixar and the illustrations of artists such as Loish, with millions of followers online. The market for digital illustrators has grown considerably with the increased consumption of visual content on digital platforms.

Generative art

In this field, the artist creates a system — normally a piece of code — which in turn generates the work. The result can vary with each execution, making each piece unique. Discussing the types of digital art without mentioning generative art would be to ignore one of the most innovative strands of contemporary creation. Platforms such as Art Blocks have democratised access to this type of work, allowing collectors to acquire algorithmically generated pieces.

Motion design and animation

Motion design is everywhere: animated logos, application interfaces, series and films. It is a type of digital art with strong professional demand, particularly in advertising and audiovisual production. Tools such as After Effects and Cinema 4D have become the standard in this field. Many independent studios work exclusively in this format, producing content for brands and streaming platforms.

Digitally manipulated photography

Digital photography has evolved beyond the simple recording of reality. Through composition and manipulation, artists create scenes that never physically existed. Understanding what types of digital art are there means recognising that this strand carries weight both in the commercial and artistic markets. Some photographic composition works are even exhibited in galleries alongside traditional painting and sculpture.

Art created with artificial intelligence

Digital art generated by artificial intelligence raises serious questions about authorship and originality. Tools such as Midjourney or Stable Diffusion can produce images from text descriptions. In 2022, a work generated by AI won an art competition in the United States, sparking intense debate within the creative community. This debate remains open and will continue to shape the future of the field.

Digital art is not a passing trend. It is an established language, with decades of history and a diversity of forms that continues to grow. Understanding what are the types of digital art helps develop a more informed eye for the visual environment around us. Whether in illustration, animation, or algorithmically generated art, what unites all these forms is the creative intention behind them. The tool changes. The need to express something does not.