The art world is a fickle beast, and it’s often difficult for artists to make a living. That’s why we love the NFT (non-fungible token) market. Instead of selling their art on a centralized platform that takes a cut, artists can use blockchain technology to create items that are truly unique.
And because they’re digital, they can be traded and sold over the internet as quickly as sending an email—without any middlemen or third parties involved.
NFTs are an amazing way to make art that can’t be copied.
NFTs are a great way to make art that can’t be copied. They’re digital assets that exist on the blockchain, and they’re unique, non-fungible tokens. This means that each NFT is completely different from all the others in existence: no two NFTs are identical.
NFTs can be bought and sold like any other cryptocurrency or token.
Unlike stocks or bonds, NFTs can be collected just as easily. It’s enjoyable to buy and sell them…but it’s also fun to just add them to your collection.
Here are our top five favorite NFT collections.
Bored Ape Yacht Club
The Bored Ape Yacht Club is a collection of 10,000 unique digital collectibles that exist on the Ethereum blockchain.
The collection features profile pictures of cartoon apes generated by an algorithm.
Your Bored Ape doubles as your Yacht Club membership card, granting access to members-only benefits like THE BATHROOM—a collaborative graffiti board.
The future areas of the platform and its associated perks will be unlocked as the community reaches certain benchmarks described in their roadmap.
Art Blocks
Art Blocks Curated is the most selective collection in the Art Blocks product suite. Submissions are made by individual artists or collaborations and are approved by a board before going live. These groundbreaking releases by renowned artists reflect staggering beauty and technical innovation.
Art Blocks Playground is the place where artists who have previously been approved for curated drops are encouraged to experiment and innovate. Like all Art Blocks releases, these projects must meet a quality standard. However, this playground allows them to express themselves freely while on the platform.
Art Blocks Factory is a place for artists to launch their generative artworks without having to wait for approval by the Curation Board. Although Factory releases are somewhat less strict than those in Curated, they will still reflect the innovation and artistic beauty associated with Art Blocks.
CryptoPunks
CryptoPunks are one of the most popular crypto collectibles. They were the inspiration for the ERC-721 standard, and they have been featured in places like The New York Times, Christie’s of London, Art|Basel Miami, and The PBS NewsHour.
There are 10,000 unique CryptoPunks (6,039 male and 3,840 female), all of which are made digitally scarce through the use of blockchain technology. Each one was algorithmically generated through computer code, so no two characters are exactly alike, with some traits being rarer than others.
They were originally released for free and could be claimed by anyone with an Ethereum wallet.
Azuki
Azuki’s 10,000-strong collection of avatars gives you membership to The Garden — a corner of the internet where artists, builders, and web3 enthusiasts meet to create a decentralized future.
Azuki holders receive access to exclusive drops, experiences, and more. Visit azuki.com for more details on how they’re rising together as a community.
Doodles
The Doodles Project is a community-driven collectible program featuring art by ‘Burnt Toast’. The doodles come in a joyful range of colors, traits, and sizes with a collection size of 10,000—each Doodle allows its owner to vote for experiences paid for from funds held in the Community Treasury.
The company has also announced plans to become an entertainment empire. The founders are planning to install artwork, sell concert merchandise, and host other events in the future.
Their ultimate goal is to “bridge web3 with reality” by creating a digital space where Doodle holders can interact with one another.
Make art that can’t be copied.
Each of these artists has a unique vision, and their NFT-based works reflect that. They are attempting to move the blockchain art genre in new directions—and succeeding admirably.
NFTs are an incredible tool for creating unique works of art. Because they’re a great way to create scarcity and reward the owners of NFT collectibles, we think they’ll continue to be popular for years to come.