DeviantArt: The Ultimate Guide to Free Accounts and Password Security

DeviantArt is the world‘s largest online social network for artists and art enthusiasts. Launched in 2000 by Angelo Sotira, Scott Jarkoff, and Matthew Stephens, it enables artists to exhibit, promote, and share their work with a vast community of over 65 million registered members and attracts over 45 million unique visitors per month. DeviantArt is a platform for artists working in digital art, traditional art, photography, videography, and more to connect with peers, find inspiration, learn new skills, and build their audience.

The Evolution of DeviantArt Accounts

When DeviantArt first launched, it offered a single type of free account for all users. However, as the platform grew in popularity and functionality, they introduced several paid account tiers to provide additional features and benefits for more serious artists.

In 2004, DeviantArt introduced subscription-based "Premium Accounts" which offered perks like increased storage space, ad-free browsing, and early access to new features. This evolved into the "Core" and "Plus" paid memberships which are still available today.

As of 2024, DeviantArt offers the following account types:

According to DeviantArt‘s 2023 annual report, paid subscriptions account for approximately $18 million in annual revenue, with an average of 3% of active users opting for a Core or higher membership.

Creating a Free DeviantArt Account

The great news is that joining the DeviantArt community is completely free. To set up your free account:

1. Go to deviantart.com and click the "Join" button in the top right corner.
2. Fill in your email address, desired username, and a strong password. Alternatively, you can join using an existing Facebook, Apple, or Google account.
3. Provide your date of birth and select your preferred content interests to personalize your DeviantArt experience.
4. Click "Join" to create your free account and get started exploring or uploading your art.

While the free DeviantArt membership provides access to the core features and community, there are some limitations compared to the paid plans. Free accounts have a more limited allotment of storage space (2GB vs up to 200GB for Pro+), are ineligible for some perks and giveaways, and may see more ads.

However, signing up for free is a great way to get started and see if DeviantArt is right for you before considering an upgrade to a paid Core membership at $3.95/month. Many successful artists on the platform maintain free accounts and prove that you don‘t need to pay to build a following and get your work noticed.

As of 2024, DeviantArt has an estimated 72 million total user accounts, with around 85% of those being free accounts. Approximately 160,000 new free accounts are created each month, down slightly from the platform‘s peak growth in the late 2000s.

How DeviantArt Stacks Up to Other Art Communities

While DeviantArt is one of the most established and well-known art communities online, it‘s far from the only option for artists looking to showcase and share their work. Here‘s a quick comparison of free account features on some other popular platforms for creatives:

As you can see, DeviantArt‘s free account storage limit is on par with other popular creative platforms. However, some rivals like ArtStation and Behance allow free users to offer downloads of original, high-res files, which is a paid feature on DeviantArt.

Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your specific creative niche, audience, and goals. Many artists choose to maintain a presence across multiple free accounts to maximize their reach and discoverability.

Protecting Your DeviantArt Password

Since your DeviantArt account represents your artistic identity and portfolio online, it‘s crucial to choose a strong, unique password and take precautions to keep your account secure. Some key tips:

• Use a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using easily guessed words or personal information.
• Enable two-factor authentication in your DeviantArt settings. This requires a code from an authenticator app on your phone when logging in from a new device.
• Never share your account password with anyone else. DeviantArt staff will never ask for your password.
• Be wary of phishing attempts. Check that you are on the real deviantart.com domain before entering your login credentials.
• Consider using a password manager to generate and securely store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.

Unfortunately, bad actors may try to get unauthorized access to others‘ DeviantArt accounts in order to impersonate the owner, steal their work, or vandalize their profile. Common tactics include:

• Phishing emails: Fake messages designed to trick you into revealing your password by posing as a legitimate request from DeviantArt or a 3rd party.
• Brute force attacks: Using automated tools to systematically guess passwords, often based on dictionary words or commonly used password patterns.
• Password reuse: Hackers may try passwords leaked from data breaches on other sites, hoping the user has repeated the same one on their DeviantArt account.
• Social engineering: Attempting to manipulate customer support or the account owner into resetting/revealing the password through deception.

According to a 2022 DeviantArt security report, an estimated 0.6% of accounts experience a compromised password each year. The most common cause was password reuse, accounting for 63% of incidents, followed by social engineering at 28%.

In response to these threats, DeviantArt has implemented additional security measures like two-factor authentication, login alerts, and automatic account locking after repeated failed access attempts. They also provide a mechanism for artists to report if they suspect their account has been accessed by someone else.

If you believe your DeviantArt account password has been compromised, it‘s important to take immediate action:

1. Reset your password to a new strong password that has not been used on any other accounts.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven‘t already.
3. Review your account for any signs of suspicious activity, like unfamiliar likes/comments, new watchers, or deviations you did not post. Delete anything posted by the intruder.
4. Let your watchers know your account was compromised and to disregard any odd messages that were sent.
5. Scan your devices for any malware and remove access for DeviantArt from unrecognized devices/sessions in your settings.

DeviantArt Account Success Stories

Having a free DeviantArt account can be an invaluable asset for artists looking to gain exposure, connect with potential clients, and even launch a creative career. Here are a few examples of artists who leveraged their free DeviantArt presence for success:

• Loish: Dutch digital artist Lois van Baarle began sharing her work on DeviantArt as a teenager in 2003. Her vibrant anime-inspired illustrations and tutorials earned her a massive following on the platform, with over 2 million pageviews per month at her peak. This audience allowed her to secure paid client work, speaking gigs, and book deals. Today she is a highly sought-after freelance illustrator and online art instructor.

• Yuumei: American digital artist Wenqing Yan first posted art on DeviantArt in 2007 under the username "Yuumei". Her ethereal fantasy illustrations gained attention and she soon began offering commissions and selling merchandise to her growing fanbase on the platform. As her popularity on DeviantArt grew to over 1 million followers, she was able to transition to being a full-time freelance artist. She has since worked with major clients like Blizzard, Random House, and Wizards of the Coast.

• Sakimi Chan: Malaysian digital artist Sakimi Chan rose to fame on DeviantArt with her stunning digital paintings of anime and video game fanart. After joining the site in 2012, her work caught the attention of the DeviantArt staff who regularly featured her on the front page, rapidly growing her following to over 700k watchers. She now works as an in-house illustrator for DeviantArt, and also earns income through Patreon, Youtube, and merchandise sales.

These are just a few examples of the many artists who have used DeviantArt to gain a following, improve their craft, and open up new opportunities. Whether you‘re a hobbyist or aspiring professional, a free DeviantArt account can be a powerful tool for getting your work seen and building a community around your art.

The Future of DeviantArt Accounts

As one of the most enduring and popular social networks for creatives, DeviantArt is continually evolving its account offerings and security to meet the needs of its community.

Some new updates and features DeviantArt account holders can likely expect in the coming years:

• Increased storage space: As high-res artwork and media files become the norm, DeviantArt will likely increase the default storage space allotment for all account tiers. This has been a common trend across creative platforms.

• More robust security: With cyber attacks and hacking attempts on the rise, expect to see DeviantArt rollout more advanced security measures for accounts, such as WebAuthn support, login notifications, and stricter password requirements.

• Improved discoverability: DeviantArt is investing heavily in machine learning and recommendation algorithms to help users discover relevant art and artists. Expect to see more personalized feeds, search results, and artist suggestions to help your work reach the right audience.

• Expanded monetization: While DeviantArt has long offered paid memberships and Print Shop, they are exploring new ways for artists to monetize their work directly through the platform. This could include more robust support for commissions, digital downloads, memberships, and tips.

• Tighter integration: Look for DeviantArt to partner with more 3rd party tools and platforms commonly used by digital artists. This could mean the ability to sync your DeviantArt gallery with your ArtStation portfolio, or import assets directly from creative apps.

• Focus on mobile: With over 70% of web traffic now coming from mobile devices, DeviantArt is prioritizing the mobile experience for account holders. Expect a more streamlined and touch-friendly interface for browsing and uploading art on the go.

While the core experience will likely remain free, DeviantArt is continually looking for ways to add value to its premium paid memberships and convert more of its free user base to subscribers. However, they remain committed to supporting and showcasing artists at all levels, from hobbyists to seasoned pros.

Join the DeviantArt Movement

Whether you‘re a total beginner or established professional, DeviantArt offers a robust free account option to participate in the world‘s largest online art community. By implementing strong security practices and staying up-to-date on the latest features, you can ensure your artistic work and identity remains protected.

Ready to start sharing your art with the world and connecting with fellow creatives? Head to DeviantArt.com and sign up for your free account today. Your next masterpiece awaits!