Crowdstudio: A Platform for Crowdfunding Art

Developed by Anton Magnusson and Vilhelm Melkstam

CrowdStudio brings together crowdfunding and the art world, offering a platform where artists can connect directly with fans to support the creation of their work. The goal was to build a space where art isn't just viewed, but where fans can actively contribute to the production of tangible pieces, such as posters, through community funding.

The Concept Behind CrowdStudio

The idea stemmed from seeing the potential in merging online art sales with crowdfunding. CrowdStudio was designed to allow artists to engage their audience more deeply, giving fans the opportunity to help bring digital artworks to life as physical products.

Technical Overview

  • Frontend: We used NextJS for server-side rendering, optimizing the user experience and improving SEO. TailwindCSS allowed for a custom, responsive design, enabling efficient styling and rapid development.

  • Backend: NextJS Page Routes streamlined the integration of frontend and backend processes. PostgreSQL, managed with Prisma, provided a structured approach to managing relational data.

  • Security: Auth0 was implemented to handle authentication, providing a secure and reliable login system that integrated smoothly with our overall architecture.

Development Approach

In developing CrowdStudio, we focused on clean, maintainable code and efficient workflows. TypeScript was chosen for its type safety and clarity, enhancing both the codebase and the development experience. We implemented strict linting rules and a structured Git workflow to ensure organization and consistency.

Testing was also a key aspect of development. We used Jest for unit testing to catch issues early, with plans for end-to-end testing using Cypress to ensure a smooth user experience under real-world conditions.

The Purpose of CrowdStudio

CrowdStudio was developed to explore how technology can facilitate new ways for artists and their communities to collaborate. By enabling fans to fund the production of physical art, the platform aimed to create a meaningful connection between artists and supporters, making the creative process more accessible.

Final Thoughts

CrowdStudio explored an innovative approach to how art can be funded and shared with a community. While the project has come to a close, it was a very fun and valuable experience for us as developers. We hope that the platform's concept will inspire further exploration of crowdfunding in the art world.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about CrowdStudio.

Additional Resources