Getting Started with Discord: A Beginner’s Guide for Artists
Discord has become a vital platform for artists and creators to build communities, share work, and connect with like-minded individuals. At first glance, Discord might seem overwhelming, but with a little guidance, you'll find it to be an invaluable tool. This guide will walk you through the basics, helping you navigate Discord and use it effectively for your art business.
What is Discord and Why Should Artists Use It?
Discord is a versatile communication platform that allows users to create or join servers—virtual spaces with channels for text, voice, and video interaction. For artists, Discord provides a centralized space to:
Showcase Artwork: Share and discuss your creations with peers.
Build a Community: Engage with followers and art enthusiasts.
Access Opportunities: Stay informed about collaborations, exhibitions, and more.
The first step is to create an account and join relevant servers, such as The Art of Selling Art (TASA) Discord, which caters specifically to artists.
Navigating Discord: The Basics
1. Setting Up Your Profile
Your Discord profile is essential for making connections.
At the bottom of the interface, you’ll find your username and handle (e.g., Artist#1234).
Click your handle to copy it for sharing.
Access User Settings to customize your profile with an avatar and bio. You can also set up different profiles for each server.
2. Privacy and Safety
To avoid spam or unwanted messages, adjust your privacy settings:
Go to Privacy & Safety and enable the “Keep Me Safe” option to scan all messages.
Disable “Allow Direct Messages from Server Members” to block unsolicited DMs.
This step ensures a secure and streamlined experience.
Interacting in a Server
Once you’ve joined a server, you’ll see a list of channels on the left-hand side. Each channel has a specific purpose, such as sharing work, chatting, or accessing announcements.
3. Posting Messages and Media
Use the message box to interact with others. To share a clickable link, ensure it starts with https://.
Upload images in sRGB format to maintain their quality. Discord compresses images, so exporting them correctly prevents pixelation.
4. Understanding Roles
Roles determine your access and visibility within a server.
Claim roles by reacting to prompts in designated channels. For example, in TASA Discord, you can identify yourself as a painter, photographer, or digital artist.
Roles also allow server admins to tag specific groups for announcements or opportunities.
Key Features to Explore
5. Verify Humanity
Many servers require a verification process to ensure users aren’t bots.
In TASA Discord, click the assigned emoji in the verification channel to gain access to the full server.
6. Notifications and Mentions
On the top right, the inbox icon shows all mentions and unread messages. Filter by server, roles, or specific mentions to stay organized.
Server icons on the left display notification bubbles for new activity.
7. Voice and Video Settings
Adjust Input Sensitivity under Voice & Video Settings to control background noise during calls.
This feature is especially useful when participating in live discussions or hosting virtual workshops.
Tips for Artists Using Discord
Create Your Own Server
Hosting a Discord server allows you to cultivate a dedicated community around your work. Share updates, organize events, and build relationships with fans and collectors.Join Relevant Communities
Participate in servers that align with your artistic goals, such as TASA Discord, to network and learn from peers.Leverage Channels
Use dedicated channels to showcase your portfolio, promote events, or seek feedback on your work.Stay Organized
With multiple servers and channels, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Utilize notifications and mentions to prioritize important interactions.
The Next Steps
If you’re ready to dive deeper, consider watching additional tutorials such as:
"How to Set Up Your Own Discord": Learn to create and customize your server.
"Discord for Artists": Explore best practices for engaging with the platform as a creative professional.
By mastering Discord, you’ll unlock a powerful tool to connect, collaborate, and grow your art business. Start by joining TASA Discord and engaging with its vibrant community of artists.
Join today and take the first step toward building your artistic network!
![Quarterly TASA Accountability Crew [closed]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60a81306d5abe22cec258fb1/1673391574653-AJN1IKJUV8SC3Z69VW3A/TASA-Q1ac.png)
There are four types of artist statements that every artist should have. These statements create clarity for the collector, the judge, and even for the artist. They are:
The artist statement - an academic statement about a specific body of work
The artist bio statement - an academic blurb about who you are and where you came from
The Story Bio - the story telling blend of who you are and why people should learn about you
The WHY statement - clarity on why you create art. This statement represents the core of your art. It’s your soul bare for the collector to connect with.
The module (60-minutes) walks you through creating each of these statements and provides examples of each. You can write you statements and share them in our discord and facebook groups for feedback and refining!
Links and details are in the Read Me file that accompanies your download.