In the age of total information overload, creating and sustaining a creative image or a personal brand is an art. Having your “piece” of the internet is an essential part of it – do you even exist if you aren’t online somehow? Despite all the user advantages offered by social media platforms, they come with significant concerns over user data privacy, copyright and a scenario that should never be discounted – a definitive shut down. There is also the simple issue of usage and search: unless the client knows your exact name or username, they will not be able to find you on a social network.  While social will always remain a great tool to reach your audience and get quick and direct feedback, your own website should be the entry point for your contacts, functioning as a sort of digital business card.

As the Coronavirus outbreak shows, it’s essential to build a strong digital presence. So, in times of instability and restricted movement, you can keep promoting your art and maintain contact with your audience.

Here are our five favourite examples of .ART domain owners who are successfully using their domain names to host websites that reflect their personal brand on the Internet – in a concise, informative and visually engaging way.

yaremchyshyna.art
Mariana Yaremchyshyna, pianist and researcher

Mariana Yaremchyshyna chooses a concise black and white layout to explain what her persona is all about, and that’s many things. She researches animal ethics, time and intimacy, is skilled in performance art and physical theater, and is a performance pianist whose last gigs included the Pavilion of Ukraine at the Venice Biennale. With a CV, biography, Vimeo links to performances, a press section and a contact page, this website is a great example of a digital business card for someone with multiple creative and career aspects.

janmaly.art
Jan Maly, artist and tattooist

A Slovakian relocated to Scotland, Jan Maly introduces himself on the main page as being “specialized in not being specialized in one style”, adding a humorous photo of himself. Jan’s website, which has a somewhat dualistic nature, offers the viewer to pick a style – dark imagery of video games and metal or colourful fairytale-like paintings of a fantasy world. The website is easy to navigate, has links to all of the artist’s social media accounts and an online store section with posters and prints.

lauradeangelis.art
Laura DeAngelis, multifaceted artist and yoga instructor

Laura DeAngelis is a Chicago-based yoga instructor, dancer, choreographer, videographer and photographer – with a website section dedicated to each of her creative trajectories. With a straightforward layout that’s easy to navigate, this personal webpage gives the visitor an ample overview of Laura’s skills and aspirations. And if you want to get in touch, it’s simple: there is an e-mail, phone number and an Instagram link at the end of the main page.

letzwrite.art
A duo of student writers

Behind the cool name of letzwrite.art is an equally cool idea. Two English Studies pals from Luxembourg share their personal writings and welcome posts for guest contributors, ranging all the way from classic poetry to haiku. Aiming to create “a conglomerate of artistic relief”, these two might still be searching for their style but have already established a functional creative partnership.

assembly.art

Simple but effective, the design of Assembly website tells you at first glance what they are all about. It is easy to navigate and filled with precious information. Furthermore, their hybrid format, as they aren’t just a gallery, or an agency or a studio, seems to one of the most interesting ways to support a diversity of artists and address how art can really shape our ethical landscape and contribute to a rich understanding of the world we live in.

While social networks simplify and universalize all your content, no matter how original, a website can be a true digital reflection of your style and preferences. Whether you work in one industry or several, can easily put a name on your services or are just searching for a niche, a personal website gives you endless freedom of expression. And when you use a .ART domain as a digital signpost for your personal brand, you firmly establish your belonging to the creative society. The benefits are countless: from having a single digital address that can be used on all kinds of marketing materials to a place where you can easily direct anyone interested and simply say: “This is what I do”.