The Blockchain & NFTs
Table of Contents
PART ONE
An Introduction to NFT Art.
As a programmable digital artwork connected to a blockchain, NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) have revolutionized the way we perceive and trade art in the digital age.
NFTs represent unique ownership of a digital asset, often art or collectibles, using blockchain technology to ensure authenticity, provenance, and scarcity.
Creating an NFT involves minting, a process where an artist converts their artwork into a one-of-a-kind digital token on a compatible blockchain platform like Ethereum.
This tokenization process imbues the artwork with a digital certificate of ownership, allowing artists to maintain control over their creations and establish a traceable history of ownership.
Why NFTs ?
NFTs can be bought, sold, and traded on NFT marketplaces, providing artists with an innovative channel for sharing and monetizing their work while ensuring the integrity and protection of their creative endeavors.
Understanding NFTs
For a better grasp of the practical possible uses of NFT Art and blockchain technology, it may require you to first try ignoring the association with currency (Just for a while).
Instead, think more about how to incorporate NFT Art into resolving real problems or finding better ways of doing things.
If you are already in the business of producing artwork, it is very likely that your business can benefit from the use of blockchain technology.
However, as I may have mentioned previously, the more you get into the world of NFTs, the more questions you have about the new things you discover.
Take the processing fees involved with minting artwork, domain names, and other Non-Fungible Token-ready digital assets, for example.
Gas Fees and The Environment
Now, when we use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, there’s something called “gas fees” that we pay to process transactions. So when minting NFT artwork you may also be asked to pay gas fees or maybe some other fee by the time you’ve read this.
These fees help keep the system running, but they use a lot of energy. Right now, people are worried about how much energy crypto mining uses and how it affects the environment. So, if we’re paying really high gas fees, it might be like we’re adding to the environmental problems.
PART ONE
Creating NFT Art from Scratch
Click-through insights by Software Folder:
Learn how we create vector artwork for the blockchain using our current software and workflow.
When I first set off with creating artwork for the consideration of NFTs, I had absolutely no idea where to start, how to start, and whether or not to start.
Confused by the popular NFT collections I would see everywhere online, like that Bored Ape project, something told me…
…creating an NFT Artwork collection is going to be a long and tedious slog…”
However, I soon discovered that NFT Artwork does not have to consist of a huge number of variants. And can be a one-off, or just a small collection. In fact, an NFT can also be attached to photography and even music. But for this page we‘ll just focus on vector artwork.
How we create Artwork for NFTs using our existing workflow and software
Using our usual workflow and vector graphics software. With the aid of layers for separating different items we are able to create and export variations of a drawing by simply switching the different layers on or off.
So, for example, the emoji on this page has been exported from a layered master (.afdesign) file created using Affinity Designer.
As with our emoji drawing on this page, Layers have allowed for easy adjusting; adding and removing of items such as the headphones, sunglasses, facial features and hands…
But what if like Bored Ape, you want to create 1000s of art versions?
Generate an NFT Art Collection
Well, apparently there is an easier way of quickly generating 1000s of versions of your layered artwork using Figma and its NFT generator plugin. After launching Figma, you will need to install the NFT Generator plugin from what is available.
So continue below if you are after that Bored Ape collection method….
Creating Collections with Figma NFT generator plugin.
In case you didn’t know Figma is a handy creative tool for planning; wire-framing, app design and prototyping.
Here is roughly how it works for generating artwork collections:
After creating your artwork and saving the different items as component sets. For example, you may want to create a profile avatar using different items such as hairstyles, hats and eyes, etc.
Well, save all the different item types together as component sets. And then allow the plugin to automatically generate artwork using all the possible combinations of the different items you have drawn.
In the meanwhile I am not sure exactly why you might want to create 1000 of variations of an artwork, but maybe you do?
Maybe, you think collections consisting of 10,000s of NFTs can be useful. Remember these are programmable digital artworks on a blockchain. Whatever you think, why not join our social media group on Facebook and share your thoughts, and work.
Okay, now let’s get back on track….
Fortunately, NFTs can be of any format and doesn’t have to consist of 100s to 10,000+ variations.
Continue below to discover more about the software we use.
PART TWO
NFTs & How They Work.
Buying, Selling
and Owning NFTs
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) have sparked a digital revolution by transforming the way we may buy, sell, and own digital art and collectibles.
These unique digital tokens are built on blockchain technology, which ensures their authenticity and scarcity. In essence, an NFT is a digital certificate of ownership that represents a specific digital asset, like artwork, music, videos, or even virtual real estate.
NFTs work by utilizing blockchain’s decentralized ledger, which records each transaction and ownership change, making it impossible to duplicate or counterfeit NFTs.
The value of NFTs comes from their uniqueness, demand, and the digital scarcity they represent.
Making Money
with NFTs
Investing in NFTs has garnered significant attention, with notable sales grabbing headlines.
However, like any investment, it comes with risks. The NFT market can be volatile and speculative, where prices fluctuate based on trends and demand. Some NFTs have appreciated dramatically in value, while others have seen a decline.
Therefore, careful research and consideration are essential before investing in NFTs. Understanding the market trends, the reputation of the artist or creator, and the potential long-term value of the NFT are crucial factors to assess.
PART THREE
The Significance of NFT Artwork and Music Explained
NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, are digital assets that represent ownership of unique items such as artwork, music, or other creative works.
NFTs are bought and sold on blockchain platforms, which makes them secure and allows artists to sell their work directly to collectors without the need for intermediaries such as galleries or auction houses.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why NFT Art and NFT Music have become such a popular topic of discussion lately and why artists find them to be a practical way to promote and sell their work.
What Makes NFTs So Appealing?
The scarcity of NFTs, along with demand and perception, gives them value, much like traditional works of art.
The blockchain technology underlying NFTs offers an additional layer of security and public proof of ownership, which is especially important when there are multiple permissible users of a piece of artwork.
Furthermore, NFT Art offers artists greater exposure and flexibility with how their art is sold or licensed over the long-term, which can be a significant benefit.
Why NFTs May be a Better Alternative to Banks?
One of the reasons why many people find crypto-currency appealing is that they can avoid high bank fees and lengthy processing times.
Conventional banks and financial services tend to have a lot of red tape and bureaucracy, which only stifles honest online businesses and individuals rather than helping them.
The peer-to-peer technology offered by the blockchain and crypto-currency provides a more efficient and affordable means for handling transactions, as it avoids unnecessary fees and bottlenecks inherent in the banking system.
How to Create NFT Art
Creating NFT Art is a simple process of tying your artwork to the Ethereum blockchain, which requires having a crypto-wallet and the necessary artwork files for uploading to your website or NFT platform.
Exploring NFT Music
Music is another form of art that can be ‘assigned’ and used as an NFT item. Once tied to a blockchain, musicians can more readily engage with selling complete songs or even just parts or samples of a song.
Some of the best emerging dedicated NFT Music platforms include Royal, Opulous, and Audious, though it’s important to note that the whole blockchain and NFT art movement is still in its infancy with a lot of speculation regarding the use of NFTs for selling music and music-related items or events.
Attach Artwork to the Blockchain
Although getting started with NFT Art is relatively simple, it’s not straightforward, and there are still fees to pay and a few unnecessary middlemen involved.
As with any new technology, there’s a learning curve, but most of the additional services and resources you’ll encounter along the way are optional, although they can provide you with more control and affordability for the long-term.
Is the Blockchain and Crypto-Technology Secure?
The practice of cryptography used for blockchain and crypto-currency technology is notably secure as it allows individuals to conduct transactions directly with each other through a network of machines rather than a single centralized server.
During a transaction, a record is made to a public ledger on a decentralized network, which makes the blockchain highly secure.
(download new tunes on the block -pdf )
Conclusion
NFT Art and NFT Music are rapidly becoming a popular way for artists to promote and sell their work, with blockchain technology offering an additional layer of security and public proof of ownership. Although there’s still much speculation around the use of NFTs for selling music and music-related items or events, dedicated NFT Music platforms such as Royal, Opulous, and Audious are emerging. Whether you’re interested in NFT Art or NFT Music, the blockchain technology underlying NFTs offers a more efficient and affordable means for handling transactions.
PART FOUR
Food for Thought
Practical NFT Possibilities
Whilst the speculation and steps towards web3 progresses we play around with the idea of NFTs being attached to both digital and physical (real world) items.
Of course, besides the convenience, there’ll also be inherent issues with NFT Artwork, so let’ s explore with a little Food for Thought…
Starting from the point of view that NFTs serve not only as an added layer for proof of ownership, but have many other possibilities that can behave as triggers for automating processes and providing unique experiences.
Why Banks May Gratify Blockchain
and Cryptocurrency Technology
Setting context in the form of an anecdote, the following scenario highlights some of the irritations…
Recently, I found myself in a frustrating situation when my websites went offline due to a lack of funds. It turned out to be a mix-up between two financial entities that I was dealing with. Even though the money I needed was available, things got complicated because two middlemen were vying for a small amount of £40.
This minor amount led to a back-and-forth struggle between the bank and the online payment service. What should have been a straightforward payment to my hosting service provider turned into a confusing and time-consuming ordeal.
With four parties involved—my bank, the online payment service, my hosting provider, and myself—the process became needlessly convoluted.
This experience got me thinking about why there might be such an enthusiastic appeal for cryptocurrency, amongst many legitimate businesses and individuals.
The Crypto Appeal
Unlike the traditional banking system, where multiple intermediaries can complicate even the simplest transactions, cryptocurrencies operate on decentralized platforms.
This means that transactions can occur directly between parties without the need for banks or other intermediaries.
Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin or Ethereum, utilize secure and transparent blockchain technology, which could potentially eliminate the kind of mix-up and confusion I faced.
Furthermore, cryptocurrency transactions are often faster and can occur 24/7, irrespective of banking hours or holidays. The absence of geographical boundaries in the cryptocurrency world means that transactions can be conducted globally without the delays associated with traditional cross-border transfers.
While the world of cryptocurrencies comes with its own learning curve and potential risks, the story of my frustrating experience highlights the potential advantages of using cryptocurrency for transactions.
The ability to send and receive funds directly, securely, and swiftly could make cryptocurrencies a compelling alternative to conventional banking systems, especially in situations where efficiency and simplicity are crucial.
Click-through insights by Software Folder:
Here are the Software Apps We Use for creating Artwork
Where it comes to artwork, and that includes photographic works, there are two main applications we currently use.
For vector illustrations we use Affinity Designer and Luminar Neo for photographic work.
You can see examples of the type of work you can achieve below using the software we recommend.
About Affinity Designer
Affinity Designer is the best vector drawing package I have personally encountered outside the realm of Adobe’s Creative Suite. Use Affinity Designer to create illustrations from your sketches or photos.
About Luminar Photo Editor
Above is an example of an edited photo we have saved to the blockchain. You can view it by clicking the image.
Luminar photo editing software is powered by AI technology and provides excellent convenience for creative photo editing.
With its sleek and uncluttered interface Luminar makes editing tasks such as masking easier than dragging a mouse.
Luminar is excellent for all types of photography and image processing, including; landscape, portrait, real estate, architecture, aerial, street…
Mint Your Art
For absolute beginners you may need to practice and familiarize yourself with using the drawing tools.(Let me know if these templates help).
Follow our Exploring NFT Artwork Project at www.softwarefolder.co.uk for more inspiration.
NFT DOMAINS
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