2024 will mark a turning point in digital art, a year of unexpected and new fusion between natural and artificial intelligence. Artists at leading animation, digital art and special effects companies face unprecedented opportunities to explore new forms of creativity, challenging the boundaries between traditional art and emerging technologies.
Here are five trends we will see grow in the year ahead.
The return of 2D animation
In 2024, there will be a (re)evolution in 2D animation, driven by the emergence of innovative software such as ProcreateDreams. These tools, with their intuitive interfaces and advanced features, will expand animators' creative possibilities.
In addition to Procreate Dreams, a variety of other software will appear on the market, enriching the sector with new techniques and modes of expression. This trend to improve and accelerate production will mark the start of a return to the era of 2D shorts, which will also occupy more space in social networks, to give life to new and stimulating visual experiences.
3D animation with increasingly fluid characters
In 2024 the world of digital art and 3D animation will be profoundly influenced by the innovations brought forward by Wētā FX, one of the leaders in the visual effects industry. Their technology, which combines artificial intelligence and advanced rendering, will allow 3D artists to create ultra-realistic environments and characters with unprecedented speed and precision.
New AI tools will significantly reduce production times, thus allowing artists to focus on visual storytelling and creativity.
More and more “CGI-free” films
In 2024, the trend of films claiming not to use CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) will be even more popular. This phenomenon, strongly supported by many, seems destined to persist.
For those who are not aware of this specific topic: It's common for directors to boast about the absence of CGI in their works, often backing these claims with on-set videos showing actors in ultra-realistic costumes or complex action scenes. However, what is often missed is that these sequences are almost always digitally enhanced in some way. Often even in those cases the entire scene is computer generated, using the original footage as a reference. These details, published on sector websites, often remain unknown to the general public: for this reason I would coin the term "CGI-washing", apart from a few cases, but we will talk about it later.
The (obvious) truth? Thanks to the power of Unreal Engine and acolytes, the biggest productions of the year will be largely “virtual.”
Artificial intelligence will be a creative companion
In the coming year, AI will establish itself as an indispensable creative collaboration in the world of digital art. Artists will experience a revolution in their working methodology, thanks to AI tools that not only simplify complex processes, but also suggest changes and improvements inspired by personal styles.
This synergistic approach between man and machine opens new avenues in creativity: companies like Adobe e Autodesk they are already implementing these innovations, offering new possibilities for artistic expression.
Digital art: the explosion of “biodiversity”
In 2024, technology will profoundly transform the way digital art is perceived and appreciated. An increasingly wider audience will be able to experiment with new forms of expression. A real "movement" that will democratize art, making it no longer exclusive to professional artists, but within everyone's reach.
This evolution will bring out new talents and styles, enriching the artistic panorama with unprecedented diversity. And despite the many jobs that risk being lost due to AI, it will give "old and new artists" the chance to have new ways and sources of income.
2024 in summary for digital art: more, and for everyone
2024 is proving to be a pivotal year for digital art. With the advent of Procreate Dreams and the increased use of artificial intelligence, we are witnessing an era of extraordinary creativity and innovation. These trends not only redefine how art is created and shared, but also provide new opportunities for artists and enthusiasts around the world to express their unique vision. As we look to the future, it's clear that digital art will continue to surprise and inspire us in ways we can only imagine today.
