Podcast Summary
Exploring Travel Experiences with Viator and Mercury's Business Simplicity: Viator offers 300,000 travel experiences with free cancellation and 24-7 support, while Mercury simplifies financial workflows for businesses. Beeple, a digital artist, emphasizes dedication, the right tools, and community feedback in his creative process.
Creating a memorable travel experience goes beyond just booking flights and hotels. With the help of tools like Viator, travelers can now plan and book guided tours, excursions, and more in one place. Viator offers over 300,000 travel experiences and provides free cancellation and 24-7 customer support for a worry-free travel planning experience. Meanwhile, in the world of business, simplicity is key. Mercury, a financial company, powers financial workflows from the bank account to help ambitious companies perform at their best with precision, control, and focus. During this episode of the Waveform Podcast, hosts Marquez and Andrew interviewed Mike Winkleman, also known as Beeple, a digital artist who made headlines for selling an NFT for $69 million. But what's less known is that Beeple has been creating art daily for over 13 years and has a deep understanding of the tools and software required for his craft. He also emphasized the importance of paying attention to internet comments and being self-taught in today's digital age. Both Beeple and the hosts found common ground in their experiences as creators, highlighting the importance of dedication, the right tools, and embracing the feedback of the digital community.
The importance of passion and thoughtfulness in creating art: Start creating art with what you have, focusing on thought and care, and improve over time. Don't wait for better tools.
Passion and thoughtfulness are essential in creating art, and you don't necessarily need expensive tools to start. Mike, also known as Beeple, shares his experience of creating digital artwork every day for over 15 years, starting with the Every Days project. He emphasizes that the thought and care put into what he makes are crucial, not just the tools he uses. Beeple advises aspiring creators not to wait for better tools before starting, as they can begin with what they have and improve over time. This idea has significantly impacted both Mike's and the speaker's workflows and art. Additionally, the conversation touched on the simplicity of financial workflows for businesses, with Mercury being mentioned as a solution to streamline financial operations. The podcast also included a brief discussion about the complexity of financial operations for startups and the importance of simplifying these processes to perform at their best. Lastly, the podcast included a plug for Visible, a wireless company offering unlimited 5G data for $25 a month, emphasizing transparency and simplicity in their pricing.
The Power of Consistent Daily Practice: Dedication and daily practice can lead to mastery of a craft, even without a traditional education.
Dedication and consistent practice are key to mastering a craft, even if one doesn't follow the traditional educational path. The artist in question, who goes by the name "People," has spent the last 5,000 days creating art, starting as a self-taught graphic designer, and evolving into a digital artist. He began by doing a drawing or project every day to improve, and this daily practice has continued for over a decade. His work, which includes commentary on current events and a wide range of styles, has gained recognition, despite the fact that the toy that inspired his name is now overshadowed by his own reputation. The artist's story is a testament to the power of consistent effort and the belief that there is always room for growth.
Create something every day for consistent growth: Daily creation helps improve skills, finish projects, and eliminate anxiety from rough drafts
Consistency is key when it comes to creating videos or any creative project. The advice is to start today and create something every day, even if it's not perfect. By doing so, you'll learn more and develop the important skill of finishing projects. This approach also helps overcome the challenge of completing something and moving on. The person in the discussion has been creating a video every day for over 13 years and shares the experience of the anxiety that comes with missing a deadline. Consistency not only helps in learning and finishing projects but also eliminates the need to bank rough drafts as every day is a new start.
Artist's journey is about growth, not perfection: Embrace uncertainty and impermanence in artistic expression, focusing on growth and learning with each project
The artist's creative process is a continuous journey of exploration and improvement, rather than a pursuit of perfection. He emphasizes that each piece is unique and the outcome is not entirely within his control. While some works may stand out as particularly significant due to new techniques or concepts explored, there is no single piece that he considers his best or most satisfying. Instead, he focuses on the process itself, striving to learn and grow with each project. The artist's perspective underscores the importance of embracing the uncertainty and impermanence inherent in artistic expression.
Filtering feedback for artists: Artists should trust their own judgment and filter feedback from unhelpful or toxic comments, while valuing the opinions of trusted peers.
Artists and creators need to be selective about the feedback they receive on their work, especially on social media. The comments section can be filled with unfiltered opinions from people all over the world, some of whom may not have a deep understanding of the art or the artist. It's important for creators to trust their own judgment and internal barometer when it comes to their work. Additionally, having a trusted group of people whose feedback is valued can help filter out the toxic and unhelpful comments. Starting a new project often comes with a blank slate and an idea of what to make, but the final product may end up different due to the tools or resources used. Overall, it's crucial for creators to stay focused on their vision and not get too swayed by external opinions.
Exploring the Flexible Substance of Digital Art: Digital art creation is a continuous process of learning and adapting to new tools and techniques, with a focus on flexibility and creativity.
Creating digital art is a flexible and ever-evolving process. Artists often begin with a starting point but allow the tool and their own creativity to guide them in unexpected directions. Flexibility and a willingness to adapt are crucial. The tools used, such as Cinema 4D and Octane, continue to evolve, requiring artists to learn new workflows and techniques. The complexity of creating digital art is vast, with various aspects like modeling, texturing, UV mapping, animation, rigging, and lighting each requiring specialized knowledge. Despite the vast amount of time spent mastering these tools, there is always more to learn.
From scratch to pre-made models in 3D art: 3D artists now use pre-made models for quicker workflow and narrative projects, but powerful hardware is still necessary for efficient rendering
The way 3D artists approach their work has evolved significantly over the years. The artist in this conversation began by modeling every object from scratch when they started out. However, as they progressed and wanted to create more narrative work, they started using pre-made models from sites like TurboSquid. This new workflow feels like a playful and explorative process, where they're pulling in models like toys and posing them in a scene. However, working with such software requires a powerful setup, with multiple video cards and beefy hardware, especially when moving from stills to video. Render times can vary depending on the complexity of the image, with some elements taking longer than others. Overall, the evolution of technology and workflow in 3D art has shifted from building everything from scratch to using a vast collection of pre-made models, but the demand for powerful hardware remains constant.
Improving 3D image quality with software and hardware: Investing in powerful hardware and using 3D rendering software with post-processing in Photoshop can significantly improve 3D image quality.
Creating high-quality 3D images involves a combination of both 3D rendering software and post-processing in Photoshop. The artist shared that they typically spend around a half hour rendering an image in Cinema 4D, but the image will be grainy at first and will gradually become clearer over time. Having powerful graphics cards significantly speeds up the rendering process and allows for more complex projects. However, working on the go with less powerful equipment can significantly slow down the workflow and limit what's possible. The artist also mentioned that when dealing with large 8K raw video files, they prefer not to work with them on a laptop and instead opt for a different camera or video format. When it comes to hardware, the artist looks for the fastest GPUs available, with NVIDIA GPUs being the best option for their software. Essentially, investing in powerful hardware can greatly improve the efficiency and quality of 3D image creation.
Exploring NFTs with Limited Resources: Starting a creative project or exploring new tech like NFTs doesn't require expensive resources. Immerse yourself in the community and learn about its potential future applications.
Starting a creative project, such as digital art, does not require expensive hardware or equipment. You can begin with whatever resources you have on hand, even if it's a simple netbook or a smartphone. The same goes for exploring new technologies like NFTs. The artist's conversation reveals that they discovered NFTs only a few months ago and were amazed by their potential for selling digital art for significant amounts. They quickly became immersed in the NFT community, learning about its possibilities and future applications. NFTs can also be used to certify the authenticity of other documents, such as property titles or car deeds, and this could be a potential long-term future for the technology. The artist sees the NFT space as exciting and rapidly evolving, making it an intriguing area to explore further. Overall, the key takeaway is to not let a lack of resources or knowledge hold you back from starting a creative project or exploring new technologies.
Revolutionizing Industries with NFTs: NFTs, backed by blockchain, can revolutionize industries by connecting the physical world with the digital, despite speculative bubbles, lasting projects with real value exist, such as NBA Top Shot, and bridging the gap with physical items or tangible proofs of ownership can help.
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) represent a new form of digital ownership backed by blockchain technology, and they have the potential to revolutionize various industries by connecting the physical world with the digital. The speaker believes that the current excitement around NFTs is similar to the early days of the internet, and while there will be speculative bubbles, there will also be lasting projects with real value. NBA Top Shot, as an example, is a concept that may have staying power if people continue to care about the specific moments it represents in the future. However, understanding NFTs can be a challenge for some people due to their intangible nature, and bridging the gap with physical items or tangible proofs of ownership can help. Overall, NFTs are still in their infancy, but they offer exciting possibilities for the future.
Value of digital assets comes from cultural relevance and emotional connection: People pay large sums for digital assets due to emotional connection and cultural relevance, not physical properties. Consider environmental impact of technology behind these assets.
The value of digital assets, such as NFTs, doesn't come from their physical properties but rather from the cultural relevance and symbolism they represent. People are willing to pay large sums for these assets because of the emotional connection they have with them. The physical component, be it a piece of cardboard for a baseball card or a canvas for a painting, is just a medium for expressing that value. This concept applies not only to traditional collectibles but also to virtual items like blue checkmarks or even NFTs. However, it's essential to consider the environmental impact of the technology behind these assets, particularly the energy consumption associated with blockchain transactions. While improvements are being made, there's still room for significant progress in this area. Ultimately, the value of digital assets lies in the human experience and emotional connection they provide.
The future of NFTs and digital art: quicker computational processes and increased accessibility: Beeple emphasizes the importance of making NFTs more sustainable and accessible, plans to reinvest earnings, and push boundaries of digital art
The future of NFTs and digital art lies in improving energy efficiency and increasing accessibility. Mike Winkelmann, also known as Beeple, emphasized the need for quicker computational processes to make NFTs more sustainable and accessible to everyone. He also shared his plans to reinvest the $69 million he earned from selling an NFT into more ambitious art projects, giving back to the community, and potentially collaborating on live-action projects. Overall, Beeple sees his position in the NFT world as a fortunate one and wants to use it to push the boundaries of digital art and make a positive impact.
Investing in meaningful moments: Personal value lies in cherishing and investing in moments that hold significance, whether through collecting digital memorabilia or living life to the fullest.
While some trends, like NFTs and digital collectibles, may seem frivolous or overhyped, there is value to be found in moments and experiences that hold personal significance. During a recent podcast interview, the importance of attaching value to meaningful moments was discussed in relation to top shots and NFTs. The speaker argued that while some digital collectibles may lose value when the market crashes, those that represent significant memories or experiences will continue to hold value. This idea can be applied to various aspects of life, reminding us to cherish and invest in the moments that matter most. Whether it's through collecting digital memorabilia or simply living life to the fullest, focusing on personal value can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.
NFTs could revolutionize digital collecting like baseball cards: NFTs serve as digital certificates of authenticity, potentially connecting digital and physical collecting worlds, and their value comes from rarity and significance to collectors.
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) could revolutionize collecting in the digital world, much like how baseball cards, basketball cards, Pokemon cards, and even physical shoes hold value based on their significance and rarity to collectors. The comparison was drawn between the early days of the internet and the current NFT market, where there's hype and potential financial incentives, but also uncertainty and a risk of a bubble. However, the lasting impact of the internet on communication, sharing, and ownership was emphasized as a parallel. NFTs, as certificates of authenticity, could serve as proof of ownership for unique digital assets, making them valuable and desirable to collectors. The potential connection between NFTs and physical collections could further solidify their role in the future. The hype surrounding NFTs stems from their collectible nature, and as more bridges are built between the digital and physical collecting worlds, their significance is likely to grow.
Exploring the Future of NFTs with Beeple: Beeple, a pioneering artist in the NFT space, sees NFTs as a means to advance technology and build a better future, not just for monetary gain.
The artist Beeple, who gained fame through NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), is not only focused on the monetary aspect of this digital art trend but also on the technological advancements it brings. He sees NFTs as a means to build better technology for the future. Beeple's enthusiasm for technology and blockchain, combined with his artistic success, makes him a pioneer in this field. Despite the downsides and ethical considerations, his forward-thinking perspective is worth noting. This episode provided valuable insights into the potential of NFTs and the role they might play in our lives in the future. It was a fascinating discussion that highlighted the intersection of art, technology, and entrepreneurship.
