The history of digital art is a relatively short one, dating back to 1950. It was at this time that scientists realized that by applying the rules of programming mathematics, it would allow a computer to output visual patterns of various types.
However, artists didn't begin using computers as tools until 1960. Within a few decades this genre would begin to revolutionize the digital world. The very first computer graphics competition was held in 1963. It was through the dedication and
hardwork of computer artists and programmers which has brought us the
diversity of the different software and programs we have today.
Digital art is very important to the way we perceive the world of computers. Because computers are no longer just curious mathematical oddities, it has become crucial for them to be expressive to the average user. While using computers in general challenges the logical part of our brain, Digital art stimulates the creative part of it.
Computers are a new way of communication, especially international communication. The ideas represented in art can be transferred globally in
any part of the world instantly. Digital art has become a crucial part of the film
industry, with computer animation creating dazzling special effects in many of todays films.
New jobs and industries have been created because of digital art. Highend animation programs, such as 3DS Max, Maya, and Softimage, did not exist 25 years ago. However, because of the exponential increase in processor speed, filmmakers, artists, and special effects houses have more power at their disposal to create more and more powerful digital effects, some of which have never been seen before.
Despite the rapid progress digital art has made, there some traditional physical artists who feel that the digital art is not really art at all. The problem with this is based on a purely aesthetic view. Most digital artists will disagree with this view. Art is the perception of the artists, and it doesn't matter whether or not it was created on a canvas or a computer screen.
What does the future of digital art hold? That is a question of which only time will tell. However I can
make a few predictions. With the increasing power of computers, artists will definitely have more at their disposal, and with the rise of video game technology and the increase of virtual reality, more digital artists will be needed than ever to create surreal digital worlds.
