AI’s changing the working world as we know it. As a brand or business leader, here’s what you need to know.

According to a Hunter Marketing report on artificial intelligence (AI), up to 61% of business leaders aged between 25 to 44 use AI tools in the workplace.

With chatbots like ChatGPT to image generation systems like DALL-E and DALL-E 2 already in use, these numbers will likely rise with global AI adoption.

Industries already experiencing the impact of AI include manufacturing, healthcare, marketing, and finance — with more to follow in the coming years.

Keen to utilise AI in your own brand right now? Check out three ways you can transform your brand with AI, below.

But first, a fun little experiment

If you haven’t already experimented with existing AI tools, we recommend you get started.

In the meantime, we went ahead and conducted a little experiment of our own. At a glance, here’s a glimpse into Open AI’s, ChatGPT, capabilities.

We asked ChatGPT to rewrite a paragraph from an article we recently wrote on designing in Web3, only, this time in the writing style of Stephen King.

Here’s the paragraph in its original form:

“It’s one thing to venture into a new industry, experimenting here and there. It’s another to uproot from years of familiarity as a design agency and move into a completely new realm. In 2022, that’s exactly what we did at Nicework when we officially transitioned into Web3.”

The results were… well, we’ll let you see for yourself.

Not only did the chatbot rewrite the paragraph as requested, but appeared to expand on the original content too.

If you want to learn more or go down your own AI-induced rabbit hole, we found this article on ChatGPT (with a list of examples) quite insightful. Plus, this article on AI art gives an overview of AI history and touches on some of the ethical implications of using AI technology.

But we digress. We explored the impact of AI on businesses and brands. And most importantly, how you, as a brand leader, can apply AI solutions to your own branding narrative. Check it out.

Three ways to transform your brand with AI

Here are three ways brands are turning to AI-powered technologies to create experiences that resonate with their customers on a personal level — and so can you.

From personalised recommendations to engaging storytelling, AI empowers you to connect with your audience in a more meaningful way, fostering stronger brand connections and driving business success.

• Creating tailored brand experiences through AI-driven personalisation

Stitch Fix

Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service that uses AI algorithms to recommend customised clothing items to its customers. By analysing customer preferences, feedback, and style profiles, Stitch Fix’s AI system suggests personalised fashion items that align with individual tastes and needs.

Koru Kids

This startup in the childcare industry utilises AI-powered chatbots on its website to provide personalised recommendations and information to parents seeking childcare services. The chatbot engages with visitors, asking questions about their specific needs, preferences, and requirements for childcare.

Based on the feedback, the chatbot tailors its responses to suggest suitable childcare options, showcasing how Koru Kids can meet the unique needs of each family. This AI-driven customisation enhances the user experience (UX), helping parents find the most suitable childcare solutions.

• Redefining brand narratives with automated content creation

Bloom & Wild

This UK-based online flower delivery service employs AI algorithms to curate custom-made flower arrangements based on user preferences.

By collecting data on customer occasions, flower types, and recipient preferences, Bloom & Wild’s AI system generates tailored recommendations, ensuring a unique and meaningful floral experience for each customer. And enhances their brand narrative of delivering thoughtful and personalised gifts.

The Washington Post

This renowned news publication used Heliograf, an AI-powered content creation system, to generate automated news articles.

Heliograf analyses structured data, such as sports scores or financial information, and produces personalised news stories in real-time — expanding the publication’s coverage capabilities.

• Improving data-driven insights to understand audiences

Pop & Bottle

Pop & Bottle is a small company that specialises in plant-based coffee beverages.

They use AI-driven social media analytics tools to understand their audience demographics, interests, and preferences. By analyzing data from platforms like Instagram, they’re able to create targeted and engaging social media content that resonates with their target market.

By embracing the power of AI, as a brand leader you can create personalised experiences for your community, redefine your brand narrative, and harness data-driven insights to connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Ultimately, leveraging AI can give you a competitive edge and unlock the latest tools and techniques to enhance your personal and professional branding efforts.

Interested in more Web3-related topics like AI? Check us out at Nicework, give our podcast OMQ a listen, or follow along with us on Twitter.

After a full year and a half of designing and branding in Web3, here are some of the key takeaways we’ve learned along the way.

Graphic design has come a long way from its print days. Now, things like artificial intelligence (AI) and Web3 (the newest version of the web) are pushing the design industry to new heights.

As an agency, we wanted to explore these new possibilities.

It’s one thing to venture into a new industry, experimenting here and there. It’s another to uproot from years of familiarity as a design agency and move into a completely new realm. In 2022, that’s exactly what we did at Nicework when we officially transitioned into Web3.

Thinking about doing the same? Wondering what it entails? We’re sharing all the valuable lessons we’ve learned with you below. Check it out.

Moving from traditional to Web3 design

Web3 requires a fresh approach to design. We got to chat with our talented design team about their personal experiences adjusting to this new era. Here’s what you need to know.

The good: There’s room to experiment

Web3 is undefined, meaning, we’re still exploring its use cases and potential impact on society. If you’re a designer, this opens up new opportunities to innovate and create.

It’s changing the way we think about creativity, from interactive installations to generative art. Essentially, Web3’s a playground for designers eager to push the boundaries of digital expression.

Plus, the open-source ethos of Web3 makes it an exciting environment for collaboration.

As a Web3 designer, this includes working with developers, entrepreneurs, and other creatives to build products or experiences that break free from traditional design and business models.

By embracing this spirit of experimentation, designers can drive innovation and shape the future of the digital landscape.

“The transition [to Web3] has mostly been a fun one for me. The space is still very undefined which gives us a huge amount of room to experiment and define it — or some of it anyway.” — William Rech, Nicework Senior Designer

The challenge: Timelines change quickly

Web3’s rapidly evolving landscape is a major challenge for designers and creators, who face things like fleeting attention spans and compressed timelines.

To succeed in this environment, you’ll need to find the balance between pursuing cutting-edge trends and technologies with ensuring the staying power of your work.

“Producing something before everything is irrelevant has been tricky. We’ve tried to overcome this by taking a more agile approach and being intentional about where we apply our time.” — William Rech, Nicework Senior Designer

The good: Web2’s a great starting point

When it comes to things like user experience (UX), Web2’s a good springboard to building in Web3. But as people and businesses rush into Web3, they’re often forgetting the valuable learnings we gained from Web1 and Web2 — including good UX.

“The space needs agencies like us who remind people that an articulated message, a brand, and user experience are important to keep Web3 from becoming a dysfunctional, oversaturated marketplace filled with failed projects.” — Robyn Salvador, Nicework Designer

As a design agency in this space, we have a clear imperative to first, assist Web3 brands with articulating their purpose. Then, support them by building a brand and visual language that reflects their purpose. The transition itself into Web3 doesn’t necessarily alter this process.

The idea remains the same. What does change, is the context in which the brand lives, and the audience it engages with. In this way, it’s important to retain the valuable lessons and knowledge we gained from Web1 and Web2 and apply these to the Web3 experience.

“There were some obvious learning gaps that needed to be addressed, due to the ever-evolving nature of the industry, but at the core, we are about producing work that moves people, that makes them care, and how we go about doing that, has not changed.” — Shannon Davis, Nicework Creative Director

The challenge: Web3 has no set rules

While some of the knowledge we’ve gained from previous iterations of the internet — like creating good UX — supports the Web3 evolution, the reality is, there really aren’t any set rules that define this space.

As we’ve mentioned above, Web3’s a new iteration of the internet that’s largely undefined.

The rules and best practices that informed Web2’s native brands aren’t necessarily applicable in Web3 which can feel like you’re starting from scratch.

This can be an overwhelming experience, especially when you’re first starting out.

“The space can feel overwhelming, especially once you realize how many possibilities and how many different use cases Web3 might afford us.” — Robyn Salvador, Nicework Designer

To navigate this, designers need to familiarise themselves with the space. Are you brand new to Web3? Check out these free resources to get you started.

Key principles for designing and marketing in Web3

To summarise, here are three key principles you’ll want to focus on when creating in Web3.

Storytelling

Building a compelling story around a brand has always been crucial. However, the rise of Web3 has made storytelling an even more important aspect of branding.

The most successful Web3 brands immerse their audiences in an overall fantasy or story. This means that all components of the brand, from the visual elements to the messaging, must fit into the larger narrative.

By doing so, these brands create a unique and engaging experience that captures and retains their audience’s attention.

As a designer, this is a fun way to experiment with different concepts and ideas.

UX

In some instances, Web3 seems to have neglected UX. And sure, while some successful projects have formed communities without necessarily prioritising user experience, it’s important to remember that the people who use the product are the most critical component.

By designing with the user in mind and building over time with their feedback, you can create successful and impactful projects in the Web3 space.

“With traditional branding, we start with research. With Web3 branding we need to start by reaching out [to users] and using that feedback.” — Robyn Salvador, Nicework Designer

Branding

In Web3, it’s not just about creating a visual identity, but also aligning company culture and building authentic relationships with customers.

Brands that are entering the Web3 space are looking to connect with their audience on a deeper level and to provide them with more meaningful ways to engage with their products and services.

By doing so, they hope to build stronger, longer-lasting relationships with their customers that are based on trust, transparency, and shared values.

In this way, branding in Web3 is not just a means of creating awareness, but a way of building a community and movement.

“Web3 has placed a magnifying glass on the importance of branding. Brand building is about aligning company culture and building genuine relationships with your customers.” — Shannon Davis, Nicework Creative Director

Dos and don’ts to remember from the Nicework team

Dos:

1. William: Consider how Web3 systems can be used to amplify your concept and how you can leverage the latest developments in technology. Make sure what you’re doing adds value to the project as a whole rather than being a tacked-on gimmick.
2. Robyn: Test the waters early. I think this sounds daunting and there is still space for failure with this process but consider putting out early iterations of design and letting people weigh in before building out a whole language or project.
3. Shannon: If you don’t have an engaged community, start building those relationships early and make sure you give those early relationships the time and energy to turn them into fans. These people will become brand ambassadors for life.

Don’ts:

1. William: Don’t fall into the trap of making everything whacky and colorful. There’s still a range of brands entering the space. While it’s fun to play with such unconventional art styles it’s easy to create a brand that looks like everything else out there. Adoption of this tech will need people to trust the brands in it and that isn’t always ones that are made from magenta pixel art.
2. Robyn: With regards to NFTs, don’t make NFTs just for the sake of making NFTs. Let intention guide the use case rather than releasing NFTs and then trying to think of the use case [after the fact]. The same principle applies to Web3 tech in general.
3. Shannon: It’s important to remember that Web3 and the metaverse are tools that can be leveraged to better connect with your customer. If the tech doesn’t help you form those deeper connections or if your audience won’t engage, consider if it’s really worth the investment.

Projects and clients in Web3

Want to know what working in Web3 looks like? Check out some of the recent Web3 projects we’ve worked on below.

yWhales

yWhales is a community of influential business leaders passionate about blockchain technology and Web3’s potential to revolutionise our lives.

The ecosystem comprises Communities, Solutions, Ventures, and Labs. To achieve their vision of onboarding Fortune 1000 companies into Web3, the team needed clarity, a cohesive brand identity, and to establish themselves as a trusted and progressive business utilising blockchain technology.

We worked with them to define their purpose, refine their iconic whale symbol, and build a sophisticated visual language representative of the yWhales ecosystem.

To learn more, read our full case study here.

Menches Brothers

Ohio-based Menches Brothers is a family-owned business. Their story began over 130 years ago, in 1885, when Frank and Charles Menches invented the hamburger. Now they delight in sharing the original recipe of the hamburger with their local communities.

Dani, their Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) realised an opportunity for the Menches Brothers to share their story with the rest of the world. NFTs would give the wider online community access to their hamburger and at the same time, propel them forward into Web3.

In partnership with Metaversal, we set out to build a brand strategy intersecting Web3, their history, and authentic community.

The lil Mench NFT collection stays true to the Menches Brothers’ roots as the first-ever original hamburger — in the Metaverse.

To learn more, read our full case study here.

So, are you ready to make the move?

Moving from traditional design to Web3 design can be a challenging but rewarding experience.

By applying key components for designing and marketing in Web3, familiarising yourself with the space, and retaining valuable knowledge learned from Web2 — you can create powerful, engaging, and memorable experiences in the Web3 space. And have fun while doing it.

If you’re a talented designer who shares these values, be sure to reach out — we’re always looking for great people to join our team.

For more insights into Web3 check us out at Nicework, give our podcast OMQ a listen, or follow along with us on Twitter.

Are you constantly curious? Seeking answers to a list of never-ending questions about branding, storytelling, or technology? Plug in your headphones, this is for you.

Did you know that there are currently over 464 million podcast listeners in the world? Evidently, people like podcasts. And for good reason. They’re a great medium for learning, entertainment, and connecting with like-minded people.

If you’re an inquisitive brand maven looking for industry insights, fresh professional and creative outlooks, and candid stories from industry leaders, then check out some of our top OMQ episodes below.

You’ll learn directly from the people who develop, launch, and sustain successful brands themselves.

1. DJ Stout: Logos are overrated

One More Question - EP48 - DJ Stout - Nicework

Renowned graphic designer, DJ Stout, began his design career in 1981 before going on to become an award-winning art director of the critically acclaimed Texas Monthly magazine.

As a partner at the international design studio, Pentagram, since 2000, he’s led various projects in publication design, identity, branding, packaging, exhibitions, and website design. He’s also frequently invited to judge awards and speak at design conferences and events worldwide.

🎧 Reasons to listen

• Get a first-hand glimpse into Stout’s design journey and how he developed his unique style.
• Gain insights into his process including the importance of research, collaboration, and taking risks in design. Plus a challenge to conventional design wisdom.
• Learn how and why you should find inspiration outside the design world, like in music, literature, and film.
• Explore thoughts on the future of design and how technology is changing the industry — including the importance of adapting to new trends and technologies.

“I’m always encouraging my clients to brag in a good way”

2. Natasha Jen: People vs. Design — how to ensure great brands survive handover

One More Question - EP50 - Natasha Jen - Nicework

Natasha Jen is an award-winning designer based in New York City. She’s worked for prestigious design firms including Base Design and Stone Yamashita Partners.

In 2010, she founded her own studio, Njenworks, and later became a partner at Pentagram’s New York office in 2012. Natasha’s work ranges from brand identities to multi-scale exhibitions, and she’s collaborated with notable clients such as Nike and Chanel.

🎧 Reasons to listen

• Get a breakdown from Natasha on balancing brand design with business strategy, and how to ensure the longevity of a brand beyond its initial creation.
• Explore the handover process from design to the client, with advice on how to communicate the value of design and maintain the integrity of the brand.
• Identify takeaways on branding, design, and the intersection of business and creativity.
• Obtain insights into global brand expansion and the importance of ensuring your designs are well-received in different markets.

“Part of it is creating the visual, but part of it is also convincing human beings to understand, to make the leap, or to communicate”

3. Rasmus Wängelin: Spotify — Global campaigns with local nuance

How Spotify creates global campaigns with local nuance (+ the story of Spotify Wrapped) - Nicework

Rasmus Wängelin is an award-winning Swedish designer and director based in New York. As Global Head of Brand Design at Spotify, he leads a team of designers and directors who’re driving Spotify’s global brand and marketing initiatives.

He’s worked for clients including Nike, Samsung, and Google. And his work has been globally recognised and awarded by the likes of Cannes Lions, One Show, Art Directors Club, and D&AD.

🎧 Reasons to listen

• Get insight from Rasmus on the importance of designing campaigns with local market nuance.
• Hear the story behind Spotify Wrapped, an interesting case study for anyone interested in marketing, branding, and personalisation in the digital age.
• Receive an inside look at the challenges of working as an in-house design team.
• Gain valuable insights into branding and marketing strategies from a company at the forefront of the music streaming industry.

“Start with guiding principles — What does your brand stand for? What are you trying to do? How does that come to life?”

4. Ana Andjelic: Brands are not just economic entities, they’re also social and cultural entities

One More Question - EP49 - Ana Andjelic - Nicework

Ana Andjelic is a brand and strategy executive. She currently works as the chief brand officer at Esprit, New York. Most notably she’s been named one of the World’s Most Influential CMOs by Forbes, twice.

Ana creates modern, brand-driven businesses and holds authorship of “The Business of Aspiration”. She also leads a weekly newsletter called “The Sociology of Business”.

🎧 Reasons to Listen

• Understand why you need to align business and brand objectives and how brands that build on existing communities are more likely to succeed.
• Gain insights into brands and how they go beyond being economic entities to social and cultural entities. And how this impacts the outcome of the brand.
• Learn the significance of being part of someone else’s story in achieving success and how you shouldn’t treat collaborations as brand extensions.
• Gain perspective from Ana on the importance of stories over products and why consistency should not be overvalued.

“As a brand, you have a responsibility to participate in culture. You’re not just an economic entity, you’re a social or cultural entity”

5. Michael Bierut: Should we be skeptical of brands?

Should we be sceptical of brands with Michael Bierut - Nicework

Michael Bierut is a graphic designer with over five decades of experience. He’s been a partner at Pentagram in New York for more than 32 years.

Michael is also an accomplished writer and a co-editor of the series “Looking Closer: Critical Writings on Graphic Design”, and co-founder of the Design Observer blog.

🎧 Reasons to listen

• Explore skepticism in design and advertising — including things like the role of ethics in design and the power dynamics between designers and clients.
• Gain practical tips and advice for designers and creatives from a highly experienced and respected graphic designer.

“My interest in the subject matter has a direct relationship to how good the work for it is”

If you’re a brand builder, marketer, or creative, then you know that staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends, insights, and strategies is essential. Podcasting is one of the easiest ways to achieve this.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, make sure to check out more of OMQ’s episodes here to learn from the best in the business.

For more brand insights check us out at Nicework, give our podcast OMQ a listen, or follow along with us on Twitter.

Investing in Web3 is more than a stake in new technology. It’s an investment in a better future.

It’s not often that a single technology has the potential to completely change the world — but that’s exactly what Web3’s doing.

With the rise of DeFi (decentralised finance), the power to disrupt industries and systems, a growing sentiment among users, and a potential for significant value appreciation — Web3 is the investment opportunity of a lifetime.

We’ll be breaking down four reasons why, as an investor, you should care about the development and success of Web3.

First, who’s investing in Web3 and why?

There’s a diverse range of investors backing Web3 and its development, from Silicon Valley titans to crypto venture capitalists. See who’s backing Web3 and why, below.

💰 Venture Capital (VC) Firms

They see the potential for high growth and returns in a nascent industry still in its early stages. Additionally, the emergence of DeFi protocols and the potential for liquidity in the market are factors that make Web3 an attractive investment opportunity.

🔍 Crypto Investment Firms

They see the potential for blockchain technology to disrupt traditional industries, unlock new opportunities for tokenisation, and drive growth in DeFi.

👼 Angel Investors

From its disruptive potential and decentralised trust to new business models and the creator economy — Web3 offers a wide range of opportunities for value creation and innovation that appeal to angel investors.

🏢 Corporations

Corporations are drawn to Web3’s potential for innovative business solutions. This includes increased transparency and trust which is especially beneficial in the supply chain management and finance industries. On top of this, they’re interested in creating new revenue streams, tapping into emerging markets, and leveraging NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and the creator economy to connect with consumers in newfound ways.

💱 Crypto Traders

They’re investing in Web3 for its potential to yield high returns on investment, the opportunity to trade inventive new assets, and the chance to participate in DeFi ecosystems that provide new ways to profit from digital assets. Web3’s decentralised nature also aligns with the values of the crypto community and offers an alternative to traditional financial systems.

❤️ Non-profit Organisations

Web3 tech offers new avenues for NGOs to promote social impact work and achieve their goals. It can be leveraged to create more transparent and decentralised systems for addressing issues like poverty, inequality, and corruption. Additionally, DeFi provides opportunities for fundraising and community building that can help non-profits engage with their supporters in more meaningful ways.

It’s clear that Web3 technology offers a wealth of opportunities for investors. Here are four key reasons why investing in Web3 could be a smart move for you.

4 Reasons to Invest in Web3

1. The rise of DeFi

At its core, DeFi is a harbinger of change, offering high yields and the potential for financial inclusion on a global scale. It’s a veritable revolution in the world of finance, one that promises to democratise financial systems and usher in a new era of financial empowerment.

For example, unlike traditional banking, DeFi doesn’t require a minimum balance. Or discriminate against things like someone’s location or socioeconomic status. The only requirement to access the ecosystem is an internet connection. This makes DeFi way more accessible to billions of people.

And because DeFi transactions are processed in real-time and require minimal mediation, they’re faster and more efficient than traditional financial transactions. For example, someone in the US can use a DeFi protocol to send funds to a person in Japan instantly, without third parties or the high fees associated with traditional cross-border payments.

Plus, DeFi smart contracts can be programmed with specific conditions that must be met before releasing funds.

This ensures companies fulfil their obligations and meet their milestones before receiving funding. If the conditions aren’t met, the funds can be returned to the investors automatically. This creates accountability and transparency difficult to achieve in traditional financial systems.

2. It’s an industry disruptor

Web3 has the potential to disrupt existing industries and create new ones, leading to significant value creation. It’s also paving new ways for brands to reach audiences.

In the PwC 2023 Metaverse Predictions report, they describe Web3 and the metaverse as something that will “redefine every business leader’s agenda.” In their survey, they claim that up to 82% of executives expect metaverse plans to be part of their business activities within three years.

Wondering how? Check out some of the services we offer brands looking to reach new audiences and move into Web3.

And we’re already seeing this disruption happen across industries. Here are a couple of instances of this in action.

Medrec, healthcare industry

MedRec is a blockchain-based platform that allows patients to securely access and control their medical records. Their services also include medication plans and pill reminders for users and an image diagnostics module for clinics.

Positive ways this impacts healthcare:

• It reduces the time required for medical staff to access and share patient data.
• It increases the security of patient data.
• Patients have autonomy and control over who accesses their records by granting permission to specific healthcare providers.

Overall, this improves the quality of care provided and saves both time and money for the clinic and patients.

And secondly, a recent Nicework client…

Zarp Stablecoin, fintech industry

Zarp is a cryptocurrency pegged to the South African Rand. With the use of Web3 technology, Zarp aims to solve the problem of hyperinflation and currency devaluation faced by many African countries.

Their impact?

By providing a stablecoin that’s not subject to the same volatility and inflationary pressures as traditional fiat currencies, Zarp Stablecoin can help individuals and businesses in these regions protect their wealth and conduct transactions with greater stability.

You can read more about this on our website.

3. Value appreciation and high returns

In the past, early investors in Web2 companies like Google and Facebook made massive returns on their investments.

Sequoia Capital reportedly invested $12.5 million in Google in 1999, which turned into a whopping $3 billion by 2004. Similarly, Peter Thiel invested $500,000 in Facebook in 2004, which later turned into over $1 billion.

Now, in Web3, we’re seeing a similar trend. Early investors in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have also experienced significant returns. For instance, Bitcoin’s price went from less than $1 in 2010 to over $60,000 in 2021, while Ethereum’s value surged from under $1 in 2015 to over $4,000 in 2021.

Moreover, token economics are at play in Web3.

Web3 projects often employ native tokens that represent ownership in the project or provide access to its services. These tokens’ value can increase as the project gains adoption and usage. For instance, the governance token for Uniswap, a decentralised exchange, has seen a massive increase in value as the platform gains more users.

Other factors to consider include outside returns, liquidity, and passive income.

4. It’s a force for good

Did you know that the first ever recorded charter of human rights — The Cyrus Cylinder — goes all the way back to ancient Roman times? Globally, we’ve been advocating and fighting for human rights ever since.

Despite this, human rights abuses continue to occur around the world. According to the UN, more than 89.3 million people are forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, and human rights violations.

Web3 has the potential to facilitate positive change in various domains, including human rights.

Here are some possible applications:

1. Financial inclusion: Web3 can provide access to financial services for marginalised communities, including refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
2. Decentralised governance: Web3 can enable decentralised decision-making processes, empowering individuals and communities to participate in governance and decision-making processes.
3. Environmental sustainability: Web3 can facilitate transparency and traceability in supply chains, ensuring ethical and sustainable practices.
4. Intellectual property rights (IPR): Web3 can provide a decentralised platform for artists and creators to protect and monetise their intellectual property rights.
5. Human rights: Web3 can help protect human rights by enabling secure and decentralised communication, facilitating the safe and anonymous reporting of human rights abuses, and providing a platform for the documentation and dissemination of evidence of human rights violations.

For NGOs, social enterprises, and grassroots and activist movements, Web3 could be the key to advancing their goals and missions to achieve a more equitable and just world.

“Blockchains have the potential to create a new layer of global social contracts, in which human peers, more than territorial governments, are the protagonists.” — NOEMA

Web3 technology is not just a new wave of innovation, it’s a revolutionary leap towards a more transparent, secure, and fair world.

By leveraging the power of blockchain technology, Web3 offers endless investment opportunities to build trust, enable decentralised decision-making processes, and promote social and environmental justice.

Interested in Web3? Need support? Build your business in Web3 with Nicework. Plus get all the latest brand and project news by following along with our Twitter and podcast, OMQ.

NFTs and crypto continue gaining traction among governments, brands, and communities. Are we on track to becoming a decentralised society?

Inventions and innovation. Since the beginning of human history, we’ve been inventing and innovating ways to change the world and revolutionize how we live our lives.

From humble culinary creations like the first recorded sandwich invented in 1962 to out-of-this-world innovations like building spaceships to land humans on the moon for the first time in 1969. Our capacity for invention and innovation has enabled us to achieve incredible feats and blaze a trail of progress that continues today. We’re in a golden age of innovation.

Technology is rapidly evolving. We’ve gone from flip phones and the internet to artificial intelligence (AI) and Web3 — the newest version of the World Wide Web. Now, we’re entering a new digital era.

But how exactly is Web3 being received around the world? And what does this mean for brands, businesses, and users entering this new space? Let’s explore.

Collectible NFTs

The global NFT phenomenon continues to gain traction worldwide.

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are unique, collectible, digital assets — like art, music, or videos — that can be traded and sold on blockchain-based marketplaces.

Currently, Asia has the most developers in this space and holds the leading five spots for top NFT countries in the world. Through a poll of 28,000 people across 20 countries, the Philippines ranked first with the most NFT owners, followed by Thailand, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.

Fintech company, Asia Financial, called the continent the “epicentre of the global NFT crypto craze”. While the magazine publisher, Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, labeled Asia as “the world’s gateway to Web3”.

Other countries exploring NFTs include Singapore, the United States, Iceland, Canada, and Hong Kong. The US is home to some of the world’s leading NFT marketplaces, such as OpenSea and Rarible, as well as many influential artists and collectors.

It’s also where some of the biggest NFT sales in history have taken place — from projects like CryptoPunk, BAYC (Bored Ape Yacht Club), and of course, the artist Beeple.

Why does this matter?

Brands and building community

While collectibles have always been popular worldwide across various industries — from toys and games to art, sport, and music memorabilia — NFT collectibles are transforming the brand-to-audience landscape.

For brands, NFTs provide a unique way to connect with customers, build brand loyalty, and create a lasting impression in a competitive market. For example, we’re seeing businesses using NFTs to reach global audiences that they may not have had access to before.

Take the luxury brand Louis Vuitton — in 2021 they partnered with digital artist Beeple to launch a video game called “Louis: The Game.” In the game, players explore a virtual world inspired by the brand’s heritage and iconic designs — including interactive elements such as mini-games and quests. Along the way, players collect NFT postcards that represent Louis Vuitton’s 200-year history as they travel to various locations.

Louis Vuitton’s journey into NFTs and gaming demonstrate the brand’s willingness to experiment with new technologies and engage a wider audience — in this case — young, tech-savvy consumers. Which it did successfully, with millions of game downloads.

Most importantly, the benefits of NFTs are twofold. Holders gain utility too.

For example, the musician, 3LAU, created a limited edition NFT album using the Koii Network where each track was represented by its own NFT. Fans who collected all 33 NFTs (tracks), were given access to a private online concert and other exclusive content.

Understanding the global development of this cross-continental phenomenon is a must when innovating and building your brand. Especially as NFTs continue to become more embedded in industries around the world. And specifically, as more people seek out and engage with brands in Web3.

Is Web3 regulated yet?

While Web3 is widely known for being unregulated (see the reported $119 million crypto stolen this year so far) we’re seeing significant global changes happening on this front. Firstly, Web3 is being recognised by many governments around the globe — not all, but many. This is a massive step forward.

Japan’s government recently green-lit a policy for Web3 adoption throughout the country — approving the use of cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs).

In Australia, Ghana, and Brazil the government has established blockchain and cryptocurrency task forces to explore the potential benefits and risks of the technology for the country.

On the other hand, cryptocurrency is completely banned in countries like Bangladesh and China — although Chinese governments are promoting the development of blockchain technology.

As this space continues to grow, we’re more likely to see increased regulations worldwide. For more on this, check out the Global Crypto Regulation Report from PwC.

In case you were wondering, this is a good thing! Remember that $119 million in theft we briefly mentioned before? Rug pulls and cybercrimes are massive obstacles to Web3 adoption.

But as governments begin legitimising crypto and putting regulations in place to protect and serve Web3 adoptees, we’ll begin seeing the potential of a fully realised decentralised digital society truly unfold.

What does this mean for your business?

Leaders in this space argue that businesses are the true catalyst for a Web3 realised world.

It’s where we’ll set standards and best practices for things like data privacy and ownership, licensing rights, and terms of services that, yes, protect products, but also users. For example, through the use of smart contracts, businesses can create more transparent and secure agreements with customers that enforce mutually agreed-upon terms and conditions.

And we’re actually seeing this unfold. Web3 adoption among brands and businesses is well underway. See some examples below.

Businesses and brands in Web3

Our very own, Nicework

In South Africa, our branding agency Nicework supports and onboards various brands and businesses into Web3. You can check out the range of services here.

As a Web3 brand, we’re proud to contribute to positive change both in the region and abroad. For example, at Nicework, we’re committed to showcasing and monetizing the work of both local and international artists on our platform.

If you’re curious about the impact we’ve made, we invite you to check out our case studies. See how we’ve supported businesses like yours to find success in the ever-evolving world of Web3.

Powerledger

Australian-based renewable energy trading platform — Powerledger — uses blockchain technology for peer-to-peer energy trading. This means that users can sell things like solar energy, to others through a secure platform.

The platform tracks the generation and consumption of renewable energy, allowing for a more efficient, transparent, and cost-effective energy market.

Meaning? By using the power of Web3 tech, the platform enables a more democratised and decentralised energy market less reliant on traditional energy companies. Secondly, it creates a more trust-based energy market. And lastly, contributes to the sustainability movement — this is critical for mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis.

Other types of industries include gaming with platforms like Decentral Games, and real estate companies, like RealtyReturns, which lets people invest in properties with cryptocurrency.

Brands already building in Web3 are establishing themselves as unique thought leaders and influencers in the industry. These are the brands that are shaping the future of the economy and society they operate in.

The future of brand building

Industry experts believe that Web3 will continue to grow in the coming years, here’s why.

1. Web3 offers decentralisation — a more democratic and fairer system compared to centralised systems (think big tech, wealth gaps, and uneven power structures).
2. It allows for greater transparency — increasing trust between the parties involved.
3. Web3 tech enables more efficient and cost-effective processes, reducing unnecessary middlemen and administrative costs.
4. It offers the potential for greater privacy and security, as well as data ownership and control (power to the people, right?).
5. Web3 provides a platform for innovation, allowing for the creation of new business models and opportunities that were previously impossible with centralised systems.

It’s clear that as a global society, Web3’s catching on — from government recognition and regulations to growing interests and investments in NFTs, and brands utilising Web3 technology.

We truly are on the path to becoming a decentralised society, in much the same way that things unfolded in Web1 and Web2. The only question is…when?

As a brand, if you haven’t already, now’s the time to establish a foothold in Web3. The next wave of branding is here. Transitioning your brand to Web3 and innovating in this space now could set you apart as a leader or changemaker in this space.

Interested in Web3? Check us out at Nicework, give our podcast OMQ a listen, or follow along with us on Twitter.

More brands are adopting blockchain technology, decentralised applications (dApps), and NFTs (non-fungible tokens) into their brand strategies — should you?

Since Web3’s origin, a lot has happened.

Between 2020 and 2021, the hype around crypto and NFTs skyrocketed. Partly from increased media reporting and celebrity by-ins — including the likes of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Paris Hilton. At its height, artist Beeple sold an NFT for $69 million.

Still, in its early stage, the space remains unregulated. As a result, concerns and fears over crypto and NFT scams persist. In 2022 alone, the Web3 ecosystem lost almost $4 billion due to crypto fraud.

But behind all the Web3 hype and cybercrime, many brands, like us here at Nicework, who believe in the potential and future of Web3 are making the move towards decentralisation.

And so should you. Here’s why.

The potential of Web3

Web3’s like the cool new kid in town, you know, the one with all the fancy gadgets and the latest tech. It’s the most exciting development in web technology since the internet itself. If you don’t want to get left behind, you need to get involved, you need to experiment with dApps, create NFTS, and educate yourself about the changing digital climate.

Why? Because early adopters are at a serious advantage.

In the world of Web3, brands are more than just products or services — they are building thriving global communities. These communities are not passive consumers, but active participants who are deeply invested in the success of the brand’s products and projects.

They care about the brand’s future because they have a stake in it, and Web3 technology makes it possible for them to actively participate in shaping its trajectory.

Some notable brands already making the move to Web3 include Gucci and Nike.

Fashion powerhouse Gucci now accepts crypto payments from more than ten digital currencies.

Nike’s CryptoKicks, digital NFT sneakers, will soon be available as physical sneakers to its holders IRL.

Web3 offers opportunities for growth and innovation. It’s also a chance to tell your brand’s story and connect with your audience in new and compelling ways.

Here’s how.

Better for business

Picture this — you’ve got a cutting-edge decentralised network of distributed ledgers that records transactions and safely transfers all kinds of assets like cryptocurrency and tokens. The best part? It’s extremely secure.

Unlike traditional networks, the blockchain is copied across multiple computers, called nodes. You’d have to hack all of them to gain access. That’s like trying to steal a car from a parking lot with a hundred cameras.

If you’re in the financial or software security industry, for example, this is a game changer.

On the one hand, using blockchain technology has enormous potential for your brand and business because it can significantly improve things like security, efficiency, and transparency in your operations.

Take TradeLens for example. It’s a blockchain-based solution for global trade that enables secure and transparent sharing of trade-related data across the supply chain.

These are things like:

• Custom documents — used for clearing goods across borders.
• Shipping manifests — for listing cargo carried by ships or airplanes.
• Payment data — such as invoices and payment receipts.

Traditionally, these are shared via paper-based documents like emails or phone calls. All of which can be time-consuming, error-prone, and difficult to track.

By implementing blockchain technology, TradeLens is not only able to save time, money, and serious effort for their own business but also for their customers — giving them a significant edge in the market.

People care about privacy

On the other hand, blockchain technology offers increased privacy to your customers. This can be a compelling reason for them to engage with your brand.

By using blockchain-based solutions, customers can have greater control over their personal data and transaction history, while still ensuring the security of their transactions.

For instance, imagine a blockchain-based platform for buying tickets online to a concert. Via the blockchain, you buy your tickets without revealing any personal information or financial details to pesky third parties.

It goes something like this:

• You create a wallet on the platform.
• You transfer the required cryptocurrency to it.
• The platform then uses blockchain technology to process the transaction and issue a unique digital ticket to your wallet.

Voilà! Since it’s blockchain-based, you don’t need to provide your name, address, phone number, or credit card details to complete the transaction. Your personal info isn’t getting stored on any centralised server that could be hacked or breached. Instead, it’s secure, tamper-proof, and transparent.

Overall, the privacy benefits of using blockchain technology can be a significant selling point for your brand and can help to build customer trust and loyalty, while also enhancing the security of your transactions.

Better rewards and incentives

Blockchain-based loyalty programs can provide users with more rewards and incentives than traditional programs. Because blockchain enables the use of digital tokens, loyalty points can be more easily exchanged for a wider range of rewards.

A great example of this is Singapore Airlines’ KrisPay. KrisPay is a blockchain-based loyalty program by Singapore Airlines that allows its customers to convert frequent flyer miles into digital tokens that can be used to pay for everyday expenses like groceries and fuel.

NFTs, ownership, purpose

Imagine owning a digital piece of history, like an NFT of Beyonce’s iconic Super Bowl performance outfit — it’s not just a collectible, it’s a piece of pop culture history. And most importantly — it’s yours, you own it.

This kind of value is a powerful incentive for people to invest in brands or projects using this technology. By providing ownership and authenticity, NFTs give people a stake in the brands they love. This creates a shared value that can be used to build strong communities around your brand and lead to new business opportunities and increased visibility.

Here are a couple of examples of this in action.

Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC)

BAYC gives its NFT owners full commercial rights to their tokens. As a result, holders have created a diversity of businesses using their unique Bored Ape NFTs. From restaurants like Bored & Hungry to beverage companies like Ape Beverages.

The benefits?

• Brand awareness
• Brand visibility

Every popular Bored Ape that exists in the world adds to the worth of the entire brand. This type of shared value is a powerful tool to consider when looking to leverage the potential of NFTs and Web3 in this way.

Moss

Another approach would be fractional ownership. It means that the ownership of an NFT is divided into smaller fractions. The brand, Moss, is a great example of this. They’re a climate tech using NFTs and crypto credits to fight the climate crisis.

Their Amazon rainforest preservation NFT project, Moss Amazon NFT, gives NFT holders a part of the preserved forest. Holders are able to digitally monitor their sections and receive an encrypted digital ownership certificate in return.

The benefits?

• Accessibility for users
• Visibility for the brand
• Achieving a shared goal together to positively impact the planet

Ultimately, fractionalisation reduces costs to holders which makes this type of ownership more accessible to everyone. And through this type of ownership approach, Moss was able to reach a larger audience and work towards achieving their goal — to preserve the Amazon rainforest.

Really, NFTs are a catalyst for brands in the impact space working to achieve various global solutions ranging from improving access to education to bridging the wage gap or addressing gender disparities.

Brands across industries can use Web3 technology to achieve their set goals while at the same time growing a community with shared values.

So should you make the move to Web3?

Yes. Web3 is transforming industries and changing how brands do business. If you want to be at the forefront of Web3 development and innovation — now’s the time to make the move.

Check out the brands below who’ve already made the leap.

Atari

Atari, the iconic video game company, has partnered with Decentral Games to launch a retro arcade in Decentraland. The DCL x ATARI partnership allows Atari to expand its reach into the cryptocurrency and blockchain communities, while also appealing to gamers who are interested in new and innovative gaming experiences.

This is what they’re saying about their transition into Web3:

“Atari is proud to be at the forefront of the Web3 revolution. We were early adopters in this space and are currently working on several ambitious projects. We anticipate that blockchain technology will play an increasingly vital role in our business, allowing us to form new partnerships, engage with our players and fans in new ways, and drive growth for our brand.”

Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction house

Both auction houses — Christie’s and Sotheby’s have tapped into the growing NFT market.

Christie’s launched their NFT department called Christie’s 3.0, where they’ve sold NFTs, including the digital artwork by Beeple that fetched over $69 million.

Whereas Sotheby’s has auctioned off several NFTs, including the first NFT ever created — “Quantum” by Kevin McCoy. They’ve also collaborated with artists to produce new NFT-based artworks including artists Charles Csuri and Tyler Hobbs.

Both auction houses are also exploring ways to use blockchain technology to track and authenticate physical artwork, which could help reduce the risk of fraud.

It’s clear that with the various benefits that come with blockchain technology, ownership and NFTs, and decentralisation — Web3 offers limitless potential for brands that are moving into this space.

In the words of several crypto leaders featured in the esteemed media brand review Fast Company Middle East…

“I think we’re going to see more massive brands enter the Web3 space in 2023. Even during the bear market, with Bitcoin and ETH [Ethereum] losing roughly 75% of [their] combined value, brands like Meta and Starbucks rolled out blockchain-based initiatives to billions of people around the world.” — Joe Lau, Cofounder and CTO, alchemy

“Over the past few years, a number of triple-A crypto games have been in development and will begin launching in 2023, which is the year when we will see gaming and culture boost Web3 adopters to well above 100 million.” — Yat Siu, Cofounder, Animoca Brands

There you have it, folks.

For more insights into Web3 check us out at Nicework, give our podcast OMQ a listen, or follow along with us on Twitter.

World-renowned artist Jason Naylor is painting the metaverse with positivity — and we got to speak to him all about it. Check it out.

Supporting artists and making people feel good in Web3 and IRL is what we do at Project Nice.

With a team of talented designers and a group of Nice Friends from all around the world, we work to spread random acts of niceness across the Web3 ecosystem. These are carefully tailored “hugs” that we offer artists. This could be anything from spotlighting them on social media, assisting them with growing their personal brands, or gift-giving.

Meeting Jason Naylor was incredibly exciting. He’s a prolifically gifted artist whose creative work carries important messages of genuine compassion and optimism for the world and people around him.

Nicework’s creative director, Shannon Davis, and designer and artist, Robyn Salvador recently interviewed him. They discussed his street art, NFTs, the challenges and benefits that come with creating art in Web3, and of course, Jason’s colorful and positive message for the world.

Meet Jason Naylor

Twitter: @jasonnaylornyc

Website: jasonnaylor.nyc/nfts

Award-winning artist, graphic designer, and creative director, Jason Naylor is on a mission to fill the world with light and colour. Known for his electric colour palette, his work contains messages of love and positivity. And he believes that kindness is the key to success.

“Being nice is fucking cool.”

Based in Brooklyn, New York Jason works in both digital and traditional media ranging from typography and illustration to products and large-scale murals. His work has received global recognition including the Golden Novum Design Award. And in 2018, Jason was named by Bumble as one of the 100 Most Inspiring New Yorkers.

“Treating other people with kindness or being nice has a ripple effect. It makes the receiver feel good, but it’s even better for the person who’s sincerely giving. That’s the power of kindness.”

As designers, we’re curious, how was the transition from working in the commercial world to working in the art world?

Jason: I went to school for graphic design and I think the education and the skill set played a really heavy role in my work as an artist. The transition was kind of difficult. I’ve always been an artist. I’ve always been creating. I have the mindset that if you’re an artist, you don’t really have a choice, you know? You’re an artist because you’re always creating things. And so choosing to be a professional artist — that could be a choice.

But learning how to make a living as an artist? That was difficult. I knew how to sit at my computer and do graphic design for a company, right? When I quit my job, I threw everything into the wind. I was young and broke for a while, trying to figure out what artists do to make money.

That took a couple of years for me to figure out. What am I making? Who is it for? Why should someone pay me for it? What enabled me to make money as an artist was using my design skill set and my design sensibility in the art I made for murals.

That’s what opened some doors for me. I realised that if I did graphic design-type work, like lettering or very simple graphics, and I put those on the street, then people were responding. It was resonating.

“You can quietly make work in your studio and not show anyone. But generally speaking, artists want their work to be seen.”

Getting into the NFT and Web3 space, how do you start gauging again how people are responding to your art?

Jason: There’s always an audience. You can quietly make work in your studio and not show anyone. But generally speaking, artists want their work to be seen. I need the response. I thrive on putting my work on the street and getting messages on social media telling me that my work brought happiness to their day or joy. Those things are so valuable and important to me.

In Web3, when you do digital work or take a picture of your mural and share or mint it, the social media response is part of it. In a way what you want is for someone to collect it. Right? And so the positive response comes in the form of people collecting.

I’m used to doing public art. Whether I’ve gotten paid for a commission or a commercial job, or whether I’m just putting work out there, the people on the street get to experience that for free. There’s no expectation.

That feeling is different from making a piece of work, minting it, and then sending it out into the world. I want someone to buy it. That’s a vulnerable thing. It’s asking someone to spend money on you. It’s very different than offering your work publicly and asking them to just appreciate it.

How did you get into Web3 and NFTs in the first place?

Jason: I’ve always been into technology. I bought some Bitcoin a couple of years ago. Then the pandemic happened. All of a sudden the world just stopped and Bitcoin plummeted. Then Ethereum tanked. So I spent all my money on Ethereum.

I was so hyped about Ethereum. Within a couple of weeks, things started to go back up and there was all this crypto hype because first of all, the crash had stirred up all this conversation about crypto. Then watching it slowly rise back up, everyone was excited.

Because I bought Ethereum at the very bottom, it was all gains for me. Long story short — in getting excited about Ethereum and reading and learning about it, I discovered NFTs.

I found SuperRare, applied, and got accepted. Now I was on this platform minting NFTs but I didn’t understand it. I didn’t really come back and try to do NFTs until early 2021. So I’ve kind of been on the same path and timeline as many other artists.

“I think the overall theme of positivity resonates with my audience, but it also empowers me.”

How did you decide that positivity was going to be your thing?

Jason: The graphics I was doing were messages that were uplifting. I painted one mural that said, “Live Life Colorfully”. And that’s been a pivotal piece in my career.

I’m into quotes, positive vibes, and motivational speaking. And I love the language that’s in fitness. It’s motivation, but it’s not cheesy. I’ve always really responded to that. I’ve always felt like being nice isn’t cheesy. Being nice is fucking cool. I have refrigerator magnets that say little positive things. So then I decided to paint this quote, it said, “When you live life colorfully people talk about you”.

And that got me so hard when I read it, because, what is “live life colorfully”? And do I want people talking about me? Yes. I do. So I paint this mural and just get flooded with social media. Everyone loves this mural.

That made me rethink what I was painting, not design-wise but in terms of the message. I started doing more positive statements, with very colourful designs, and that really picked up. Everybody has loved that in my work and I love doing it because I love those messages.

I think the overall theme of positivity resonates with my audience, but it also empowers me.

“Kindness is a confident, bold, and colourful thing”

A lot of your collaborations and endeavors give back in some way. Why is that important to you?

Jason: It relates to the concept of public art. You know, I like the gallery world. It has this attitude that all art has value — monetary value. But public art is free. And there’s something special about creating something and giving it to people.

I think it even just goes back to what it feels like to give a gift to somebody, right? Treating other people with kindness or being nice has a ripple effect. It makes the receiver feel good, but it’s even better for the person who’s sincerely giving. That’s the power of kindness.

I love that in the world, I think we need more of it, and that’s why I’m promoting it. And it’s not a passive thing. Kindness is a confident, bold, and colourful thing — that’s what I love. I ride a motorcycle, have tattoos, and the mouth of a sailor, but the point of my whole life is to treat people well and make the world a better place by doing so.

Giving back goes hand in hand with giving art away publicly and it goes hand in hand with making my life better by doing it.

I wanted to ask you about your murals. What is it about street art that you love so much?

Jason: Spray painting is a really cathartic process for me. The tool is this magical thing. People are enamored with spray paint. When I’m painting on the street, people want to stop and watch.

I think it’s the combination of the sound of the paint coming out of the can and then the fact that there’s no neutral position with the spray can. Once you press down on the cap, the paint comes out. You can’t just sit there hovering with the can otherwise the paint starts to drip.

So yeah, it’s this combination of the sound, the pressure of the can, and then this dance that you have to do to actually paint the wall. And you’re not just painting in a little 20-inch by 20-inch spot, depending on the size of the wall, it’s these big motions.

The whole process of that feels like this dance that is very cathartic for me. That’s my flow state. I get into this meditative place when I’m painting. To be able to have this meditative flow state that I can achieve every single time, it’s so special.

Then of course, as I mentioned before, the public art portion of it is huge. Knowing that something I’ve done that’s so gratifying and special to me, other people get to enjoy that for free — that’s amazing for me too. And I love the feedback that I get from it.

How was DesignerCon for you?

Jason: DesignerCon was so much fun. I was surrounded by artists and friends that I love. Shout out to Mumbot and Ghost Club for assembling so many beautiful people in one little space. My audience is so much stronger and bigger on the East Coast so being on the West Coast was good for my growth.

I also recently dropped this OPN HEART character, and a couple of people had brought the figure with them and they were waiting to come to the design console so I could sign it. That was really special for me. I was also able to do a little bit of live painting.

Then, the Dunny, if you’re into vinyl toys, the Dunny is a character that was created by Tristan Eaton for Kidrobot years ago. If you’re not familiar, it’s this funny little rabbit character that comes in varying sizes. The largest is four feet. I had one that I’d painted a couple of years ago, but I repainted it for this particular DesignerCon. The Dunny is available for sale if anyone wants it.

What are you currently working on? What are you excited about?

Jason: I’m really excited because Art Basel’s coming up next week and I leave on Saturday to go to Miami and begin painting. I have a couple of murals that are set up in Miami.

One of them is on one of the Goldman Properties in Wynwood, which is a big deal because the Goldman Properties are centered properties all around Wynwood Walls. And obviously, Wynwood is the Mecca of street art in Miami so to be painting on one of the Goldman walls is pretty major for me. I’m very excited about that.

I have a piece I’m calling “the ongoing battle”. That’s not the title of the piece, but the theme of the work is a derivative of the “spread love and kindness” message that you find in my work. I want to address the fact that we’re in a battle.

There’s hate and negativity and darkness in the world. And we’re fighting for love. We’re fighting for kindness. The piece shows this tension between dark and light and hate and love. So I’m very excited to paint this piece.

Then I have a collaboration happening with Zadig&Voltaire, which is exciting. We’re going to do an activation in their store in Miami Design District, and it will be a collaboration with Mumbot and myself.

Then after all the painting, I’ll be back in New York diving into some digital things including an NFT project called “Open Heart Eternal”. I can’t wait to share more about that.

What’s been your favorite part about building in Web3? What’s been the most challenging part?

Jason: It’s an interesting question. What’s tough about Web3 — like with any community or scene — there’s a tendency to have popularity contests. People in Web3 like to rally together and be like: Web3 is the best, we have ownership, we’re independent, and we do whatever we want. But really, as artists, we still have to consider collectors.

There are still collectors, patrons, and decisions that are not made strictly independently by the artists. I have to think about my collectors — existing and new — and utility. If I’m just in my studio by myself, creating for myself, that’s just pure expression, right? With art for Web3, there are layers to it that I have to consider.

On the other hand, that’s also a blessing. We have the power to use Web3 to add layers to our work. Like adding utility. The idea of adding utility to art is new, right? I don’t paint a mural and think about utility. The utility, I guess, is that people get to enjoy it for free.

With NFTs and Web3, I think about what I can make to attract new collectors or that would reward existing collectors. What are the layers I can add to my work that provide value using the technology? The challenge and the blessing kind of go hand in hand.

What I love about the community is that it’s an innovative community. People are experimenting with new things. There aren’t years of expectations and standards set in place. Things change every month. I think that’s amazing. We’re all figuring this shit out together.

And you know what else is cool? I can have a conversation with one of my collectors and say: here’s my idea for this project, you’ve purchased some of my things, and you own some of my work, what do you think? What’s your advice for me? Having this relationship with the people who support and own my work, that’s really huge. I don’t know if that happens IRL as much as in Web3.

For more on Jason’s latest projects and collections, check out his website, and be sure to follow along on Twitter for his most recent updates in this space. You can also listen to the full Twitter Spaces interview here.

For more artist interviews and Web3 news, keep up-to-date with us at Project Nice.

Industries worldwide are evolving, entering a new era of digital metamorphosis, brought on by the latest iteration of the internet — Web3. Including, the music industry.

From grand operas and travelling shows to sound recording, band culture, and digital streaming — the music industry’s come a long way.

In the 1990s, the rise of the internet changed the way we create and consume music. It altered how musicians get paid and compensated for their work. Now, once more, an industry disruptor, Web3, is influencing the future of music as we know it.

What does this mean for musicians and artists?

“I think the music industry is such an obvious use case for Web3 systems. I think it would really help artists and creators.” — William Rech

The music industry then and now

Today, the music industry’s global worth is over $25 billion. Despite its profitability, the industry has a questionable history when it comes to paying artists.

For example, traditional record labels keep up to 80% of earnings. Similar royalty woes have been documented across streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. In 2018, the late singer-songwriter, David Crosby shared his frustrations with poor compensation in this tweet.

While much has changed over the last 30 years, especially with technological advancements, outdated systems like these seem to remain. But why?

Historically, for music to go from its source to the ears of consumers, it involved multiple third parties and various production, distribution, promotion, and licensing processes.

Today, progressive technology and media-making apps have significantly lowered the barriers to entry. Anyone with a laptop and a software license can make and record music.

Great! Sort of. Remember those outdated systems we mentioned? While technology has widely democratised media-making, those antiquated systems have simply morphed with the times.

Here’s why that’s a problem.

Issues with copyright and ownership

Licensing mishaps and copyright issues are common among traditional recording labels and big music companies — often impacting the artists under them.

Here are some examples.

The Verve

You may be familiar with The Verve’s hit song “Bitter Sweet Symphony”.

The English rock band faced a royalty dispute in 1997, after sampling from the symphonic version of Rolling Stone’s “The Last Time”.

After a series of unfortunate events involving their late manager Allen Klein, The Verve lost all of their royalty rights and essentially millions of dollars for their song. It took 22 years before they finally regained their royalties.

Prince

In 1993, in response to a dispute with his record label Warner Bros., famous singer-songwriter Prince changed his name to a symbol.

In a statement, he said “Warner Bros took the name, trademarked it, and used it as the main marketing tool to promote all of the music I wrote. The company owns the name Prince and all related music marketed under Prince. I became merely a pawn used to produce more money for Warner Bros.”

It was only in 2000 after he’d signed with a new record label Arista Records, that he reverted back to his original name.

Enter Web3

Could Web3 hold solutions to some of the challenges artists face in the traditional music-making sphere? Yes! Blockchain technology has the potential to reshape the entire music industry.

Web3 technology offers musicians more control over their work, a direct connection to their fans, and better royalty processes.

Ledger technology can simplify the process of tracking, collecting, and distributing song royalties. Without the complexity of paper trails, there’s more transparency and accountability.

On top of this, music NFTs (non-fungible tokens) provide fans with the opportunity to participate and invest in the artists and music they love — while also receiving their own financial gains. This also allows artists to independently fund their projects.

There are a few decentralised Web3 platforms offering artists and fans alternatives to ownership and royalties. The streaming platform, Royal, allows fans to become invested partners and promises upfront royalty revenue to artists. Musicoin gives a 100% revenue return to musicians for each playback.

Beyond this, artists can tap into virtual platforms to gain new audiences. Rapper, Travis Scott’s record-breaking virtual concert event for his single “Astronomical” took place through Fortnight. It was a series of concerts in the game that included multiple dates and show times. Over 12 million players participated from all around the world.

Disrupting big agencies

While technology definitely has democratised music-making, record labels, and big music companies are still largely gatekeeping the industry, trying to centralise these systems.

For example, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly influential in the music industry. Streaming sites like Spotify use AI-powered algorithms to suggest tracks to you, personalise your recommendations, and create customised playlists. They essentially influence what you’re listening to.

To add to this, Google researchers recently introduced MusicLM — a model that generates music from text prompts. You can listen to some of the samples they’ve shared here. Much like with AI art generators, AI music generators are on the rise.

Only, now, artists have an opportunity to leverage these same types of technologies too. Web3 decentralisation may just be what independent artists need to begin disrupting the power structures within the traditional music machine.

What does this mean for musicians today?

Today, artists have access to a variety of tools made available to them through Web3. From ledger technology and virtual and decentralised music platforms to music NFTs and AI music generators.

They’re able to cut out third-party intermediaries and instead interact directly with their fans, and their projects, and build audiences across platforms both virtually and IRL.

With the evolution of Web3, artists are becoming better equipped today to successfully pursue a career in music.

Want to know more? We recently held a Twitter Spaces on music in Web3, give it a listen.

Interested in Web3’s potential to support artists? Keen to use blockchain technology to build your brand? Check out Nicework’s services.

Meet our phase 2 Nice NFT artists, Kate MacDonald, Art Base, and Magusz.

We’re partnering with artists from all around the world who’re creating art and NFTs in Web3, working across a multitude of platforms, and using a variety of styles. From psychedelics and surrealism to pixel art and abstract art.

It’s an exciting world for artists who’re seeking out like-minded communities and exploring new avenues for creativity.

We got to chat with Kate MacDonald, Art Base, and Magusz about their inspirations, styles, current collections, and Nice NFTs. See what they had to say below.

“I got hooked and saw how it is a paradigm shift in society that will change the world in many different areas… this would be a game changer for artists.” — Magusz

What led you to become an artist? How did you get into Web3 and NFTs?

Kate: I could never imagine not being an artist. As long as I can remember, I have been blessed with the urge to create, to make things. I first began exhibiting my paintings in 2005 and my digital art in 2010.

My long fascination with the world of cryptocurrency and my production of digital art led to my interest in NFTs. After a few months of research, I onboarded myself in February 2021.

Art Base: Art was always my passion, since an early age, but always as a side hobby. After years of different paths in life, this hobby became my life. I am a multidisciplinary artist, trying to fuse experience as an architect and filmmaker to produce many forms of art, ranging from pixel art to abstract and what’s in between.

My journey as an NFT and crypto artist started in August 2020. Since then, I never looked back. For me, crypto was an organic evolution, as I have been into computers since I was six years old and today I am 45!

Magusz: My mum was an artist. I grew up watching her make amazing things, painting with oil on canvas and ceramic. That, I guess, was my main inspiration since I was young — also a passion for drawing, practicing by looking at comic books and trying to replicate them. Especially Marvel heroes like Spider-Man. That led me to choose an art course in high school.

But life always brings amazing surprises, and during the period I was studying art, I found another passion in theatre and acting. So visual arts became a hobby while acting became my career for a long time.

After achieving some success with acting I followed other passions but I kept painting and drawing as a hobby, until the day that my girlfriend decided to buy an iPad and install Procreate. I quickly saw the potential of it and started using it all the time.

In October 2020 I decided to go full-time as an artist. That same year, my younger brother told me about cryptocurrencies and to invest in BTC (Bitcoin) and ETH (Ethereum) to start with. I did what he told me and started learning more about it and the potential of blockchain. I got hooked and saw how it is a paradigm shift in society that will change the world in many different areas.

My brother also told me to look into NFTs because it could be a way to sell my art. So I did a lot of research, joined Twitter, and started trying to absorb as much as possible. I had nobody to explain to me or support me, but I did learn fast and understood how this would be a game changer for artists.

“My Nice NFT was inspired by the idea of a fence, but one that was welcoming and which you knew would be a container for creation and joy. I hope everyone would feel welcome within its walls.” — Kate

What has your experience with Project Nice been like? What inspired your Nice NFT?

Kate: Project Nice has been a source of motivation and support to me. Meeting and interacting with so many wonderful (and kind) artists reminds you of the importance of collaboration, cross-promotion, and sharing.

My Nice NFT was inspired by the idea of a fence, but one that was welcoming and which you knew would be a container for creation and joy. I hope everyone would feel welcome within its walls.

Art Base: I got introduced to Project Nice via a friend on Twitter. The mission of the project got me interested, all members are nice and professionals. They are helpful and knowledgeable, when I was asked to create a piece for the project I didn’t hesitate.

Based on the general theme I’ve chosen the style to be pixel art, colorful and nice. It’s sorta pixelated, colorful, lightly-glitched graffiti.

Magusz: I like the concept and initiative and spreading positivity and supporting artists in different ways — like sending virtual hugs or collectively showing support under one tweet.

For my piece I wanted to do something animated, that will show being “nice” as a kind of magic, which it is for me. Being nice towards others makes people nice to you, it’s a kind of action equals reaction. And that is magical. It is a power that we have as humans and we can just conjure it to cast upon others.

“Being a multidisciplinary artist gives me the freedom to create without being limited by one style.” — Art Base

How would you describe your specific style? How has it evolved over the years?

Kate: I’ve often described my style as reality amplified — which is perhaps a pretentious way of saying I’m a bit of a surrealist.

I aspire to the realism of settings and things that will transcend ordinary experience and evolve into a new and magical world of the everyday. What sometimes looks to be one thing can be seen as something different on further reflection, but you also need to believe it to see it.

Art Base: Being a multidisciplinary artist gives me the freedom to create without being limited by one style (I get bored so fast). That’s why if you follow my tweets, you can see how diverse and random my shared WIPs or pieces are.

Magusz: My style can be considered a mix of visionary, psychedelic, surrealist, and spiritual art. I always struggle to label it. For a while, I considered myself only a visionary and psychedelic artist, since my art comes from visions of exploration of the self — with bright vibrant colors.

But now I’m also creating a new collection, more simplistic, that does not quite fit those labels and some animated pieces, drawn frame by frame. So maybe I can consider myself styleless, but with a common goal to pass a message of spirituality, self-discovery, positivity, and connection with the world. My tagline is “Creating art for the conscious explorer”.

“Creating art will always be at the centre of my life.” — Magusz

Is creating art your full-time job or a side hustle?

Kate: I’d call it my half-time hustle! I try to devote four days a week to my studio and artmaking — with the three other days to pay the bulk of my bills.

Art Base: The pivotal moment for my journey was when I sold ten editions of a 3D “exercise” on Rarible in less than five minutes. That’s when I had the financial freedom to mint my future work without being limited by the amount of crypto I have.

Magusz: A mix. I jumped into being a full-time artist back in October 2020. That’s what I always do in my life, I commit fully to something and I go forward no matter the risks.

I also keep myself open to other opportunities, and because of that, I can work in parallel on side projects, such as verifying and onboarding artists on the Ghostmarket platform for a few months and making a t-shirt design for Coin Bureau, among other things.

Now I’m also starting to do some curation work, developing a project to onboard recognised artists from the IRL art world into Web3 with Pinhead Gallery, going as a speaker to NFT Tallinn, and much more. But creating art will always be at the centre of my life.

“I stare at a white canvas if I want to start fresh, drop some random strokes, and keep adjusting and playing until I have the ‘eureka’ moment.” — Art Base

Can you tell us a little more about your process?

Kate: My paintings and digital collages often stem from a scene or found object I’ve encountered and photographed on my walks. I mix and match these images and refine the composition digitally — even for my more traditional oil paintings — before deciding on a final course of action.

Art Base: I start my day by checking Twitter. “Gm” is the first tweet to set the mood. It’s like a mic check. Sometimes, I share my sketches or drops in the same tweet.

Then, I open my main drawing apps, infinite painter or Pixel Studio, and browse unfinished work. I have tons of unfinished work. Or, I stare at a white canvas if I want to start fresh, drop some random strokes, and keep adjusting and playing until I have the “eureka” moment.

Magusz: My art comes together in two ways. The first comes from visions I have when in altered states of consciousness. And then I try to pass them into something concrete.

The second way is some ideas just come to my mind, some concepts, but without a clear definition or visual image of it.

In both ways, I usually start with a human figure — that’s the centre element of my pieces — and go from there, without thinking, without trying to understand what I’m doing. It’s a process of exploration and enjoyment of the process itself. A free flow, that sometimes seems that I am the one being guided rather than in control. I keep this until I reach a state of content with the piece, and I feel for a moment that I have nothing else to add.

What tools and software do you use to create your art?

Kate: Oh my! Paints, brushes, pastels, resin, paper, canvas, Yupo, as well as CorelDRAW and Photopaint, Procreate, Lightform, and various video editors depending on what device I’m working on. I also like to experiment with the possibilities of dead tech and have used all of my outdated cell phones over a variety of public installations and projections.

Art Base: In the beginning, I used my phone to create pixel art and even paintings, which sold out and allowed me to buy my tablet (my primary tool for now). My smartphone is still used to sketch on the go, sort of like a voice recorder for writers. I even created a collection on OpenSea called “Art base-Outtakes “ dedicated to these sketches.

Magusz: My main tool is iPad and the main software is Procreate. And then with some specific pieces, especially the animated ones, I use other software for iPad like Motionleap to animate parts of a piece.

Or for iMac, I use OpenToonz to make the composition of animated elements, GarageBand to create music and sound effects, and HitVideo for making the final composition of animated pieces with music. For now, these are the ones, but I’m always open to new tools and checking other possibilities to have fun with.

If you could collaborate with one artist who would it be? Why?

Kate: The hardest question of all — and I’d probably choose someone dead — which wouldn’t advance my career. There are so many amazing creators in the traditional and digital art spaces, I’m not sure I could ever choose one artist. I’ll let you know as soon as I figure it out myself!

Art Base: I am kind of a lone wolf, a NICE wolf that’s why my only collab was with my friend Remo Camero back in early 2021, a fantastic OG pop art graffiti artist. We created multiple 1/1 unique Punks, a fusion of my pixel art project WAVESPUNKS and his amazing graffiti paintings of the Japanese animation icon, Astro Boy.

Magusz: It would be Silvio Vieira. Firstly, because I feel his art is very related to myself and what I try to do. The quality of it is amazing and a true inspiration for me. Also, he was one of the first artists that I connected with when I entered the NFT space, and he is also Portuguese!

Share your art:

What are you currently working on?

Kate: I have an upcoming KnownOrigin drop that will expand on my previous drop — The Strawberry Thieves — with 1/1 renditions of works based on William Morris’s designs and other historic textile artists.

I’m super close to having it ready to go and am planning on a December 15th drop date which you’ll be able to find here. I’m also working on a new collage for my Makersplace collection that uses the chair as a symbol of human presence and absence. You can view the series here.

Art Base: I have tons of unfinished work, so I go back and forth between them, picking and choosing which one to finish based on the mood. I always try to learn new things, before crypto art, I used to make DIY robots, drones, and arcade machines.

It was my childhood dream. I used to be a violin, piano, and electric guitar player. I have some music work and minted two music NFTs.

Magusz: I’m working on several things at the same time and enjoying making complex animated pieces frame by frame — available at SuperRare. While continuing to develop some visionary and psychedelic pieces that I will direct to the PsyNFT world on Foundation.

And having fun exploring simplicity and the use of minimum details to portray a message, with a new collection that will be released on Curatio world on Foundation. And one special project is Pinhead Gallery, to onboard IRL artists into Web3.

For more on Project Nice follow our Twitter and mint your Nice NFT artworks here.

Last year’s Web3 ecosystem saw bad actors, lawsuits, bear markets, and crypto winters. Now, it’s all about rebuilding. Check out these Web3 trends to stay ahead of the curve.

2022 was rough. Despite it all, there were over 18,000 active developers and investors contributing tens of billions of dollars to Web3.

And while builders and creators in this space are familiar with the sometimes drastic ups and downs of the crypto world, there’s a collective feeling of relief and excitement that’s carried into the new year. It’s time to rebuild.

As an artist, collector, or brand, you’ll need to be prepared. Wondering what to expect in the year ahead? We scoured the internet to bring you the most anticipated trends in Web3, have a look.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

If you’ve been part of the debate around AI art, then you already know that this is a fast-developing technology and emerging trend in Web3 and the NFT community.

While there are valid concerns over copyright issues with AI generative art, some reports argue that AI is a tool that can be used to enhance the creative art-making process, and while it’s data-driven, it can’t actually replace artists themselves.

Additionally, AI and machine learning (ML) are being used as tools for storytelling, creating more user-friendly interfaces for web applications, and improving things like search engine results.

This is likely to become more prevalent as efforts continue to provide users with a more personalised experience in Web3.

Utility NFTs

NFTs themselves are typically collectible digital assets that exist on the blockchain, often presented and sold as visual representations of art. But, there’s so much more they can do — which is where utility comes in.

Recently, we’ve seen a rise in utility NFTs that offer a variety of advantages or services to their holders. This could be access to special events or activities, virtual real estate, ownership, or entertainment. For more, check out the various NFT use cases here.

As brands, utility is a great way to foster value and community in this space.

Decentralised social media platforms

Part of the objective for Web3 includes replacing centralised social media platforms like Instagram with decentralised ones like Minds or Web3 apps like Crew3.

The benefits include things like control over your data, resistance to censorship, and better monetisation systems for NFT creators.

Concerns include the lack of regulations around hate speech and potentially harmful content.

Either way, this is one to keep on your radar.

VR, AR, and 3D technology

User experience is becoming more important as the development of Web3 continues.

As more companies seek out experienced UI/UX designers, you can expect a heightened focus on personalised and interactive immersive experiences in Web3.

This means more virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 3D product visualisations.

According to Deloitte’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications Predictions 2023 report, the VR market is set to grow by 50% — $7 billion in revenue — in comparison to 2022.

Sustainability

With Ethereum’s successful Merge in 2022 from proof-of-work (PoW) to proof-of-stake (PoS), it’s now a greener blockchain with a 99% reduction in energy use and a minimised carbon footprint.

As the demand for greener Web3 and crypto technology continues to grow, we’re likely to see continued efforts focused on sustainability throughout 2023.

One such development is called Regenerative Finance (ReFi). It’s all about restoration and preservation through collaborative technology that can accelerate necessary climate mitigation and action.

ReFi encourages financial rewards for communities and projects that protect critical resources for the planet’s well-being. These projects largely promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Government regulation

With Web3 technology’s environmental, economic, and societal impact, governments are taking stock and stepping in.

In the US, Colorado accepts cryptocurrency as payment for taxes and state fees. In Dubai, economic programs are set up with the intention of attracting companies working in this space. It’s also positioned itself as an innovator in Web3-related technologies like AI and the metaverse.

You can expect to see more development around regulations and government oversight.

Interested in taking advantage of Web3 trends? Keen to learn more about how these can move your brand forward? Check out the services offered at Nicework and follow us on Twitter.