What is Microcommissioning?
I've been thinking about what we can do in tech land to address the fact that artists have been shafted by the rise of generative AI.
I'm exploring the concept of a microcommissioning platform: a place where people can commission small pieces of art from artists for £20 or less. That price is a starting point, not a rule.
General freelance marketplaces try to do everything. This one would handle small, clearly defined art requests, with as little admin as possible for artists and clients.
Artists would benefit from volume, and clients would get human-made work without breaking the bank - and without resorting to a plagiarism machine.
Is this a good idea?
Before I build anything, I'd love to hear from artists.
- Does this seem like a sensible way to short-circuit generative AI?
- Would this model work for you?
- Could a steady stream of small commissions be worthwhile?
- Would clear scope limitations and efficient workflows make these price points viable?
- What features would you need to make such a platform valuable?
- Is this meaningfully different from Fiverr?
- Are there any issues with Fiverr, which you think this might be able to do right?
- What would you consider an acceptable cut for the site to take?
One artist has raised the idea of NSFW artwork, too, which PayPal refuse to be involved in. It might be a bit tough to arrange, but adult sites accept payments - perhaps we could use their payment processors.
If you're an artist, please share your thoughts below. I need to hear from you to determine whether this concept has legs.
I'm not here to rinse artists, but this would be a profit-making venture. That's why I ask about what you would consider a fair cut.
Weigh in
I'd love to hear anything you have to say about the idea, not limited to the questions I've asked.