the independent
3d artist
A qualitative UX Research study exploring the nature of creative work in an online economy.
What does "freedom" actually look like for independent artists once it becomes their livelihood?
This central question was the driving component for the entire study. From this a number of secondary themes emerged; platform dependence, the emergence of AI, "impostor syndrome", and sustainability.
To answer this, interview questions were designed to feel open. Rather than leading participants to a presupposed narrative, these prompts focused on their lived experience.
Two separate interview formats were conducted to capture the picture on both a micro and macro level:
An extensive observational interview with visual artist "Oseanworld" (113K followers). Focuses on his journey into 3D art, motivations, and daily routine.
A series of 4 video calls with independent artists encompassing a broad range of backgrounds and niches. Financial stability, expectations, platform usability.
Theme Distribution
Across 8+ hours of interviews, several consistent themes emerged:
artist concerns by frequency
Artists describe the freedom provided through freelance as liberating, but acknowledge unpredictability and instability of financial status.
Impostor syndrome was a big theme throughout the interviews. Posting content makes you feel inferior, but that inferiority is only subsided through validation of that same content.
While Blender is celebrated for its capability and accessibility, tools like A.I. are seen as emotionally empty. A.I. is not seen as a large threat, and has the potential to be reformed into a tool.
freedom vs stability
technology perception
To better materialize these findings we can observe them using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, interpreted through the lens of creative labor.
Self-Actualization
Balancing pioneering one's own brand while simultaneously providing their audience with reliable art is key for artists to feel autonomy.
Self-Esteem
How artists fulfill self-esteem needs provokes a conversation about human's need for adversity. feeling inferior fuels their creative process.
Social
Socializing is a crucial part of daily life. constant collaboration and a network of artists create a safe space for healthy competition.
Safety
Feeling safe to create means feeling safe to live. Technology has additionally allowed artists more freedom in a creative space.
Physiological
Artists need a space/studio to exist in. New tech has allowed their work to become condensed to a single computer, allowing for additional mobility.
This study is an anchor in human continuity. The people behind the output and the platform. It demonstrates:
- Qualitative research planning
- Interview design
- Organization of large, unstructured data
- Translation of research into narrative