In recent days, a new form of visual expression has taken over the internet: ordinary people and celebrities turning their photos into drawings, mangas, digital paintings or stylized movie covers. What once seemed exclusive to digital artists is now accessible to anyone with a smartphone.
This fever is not just a trend. It is a reflection of something greater: the human desire to see oneself differently, creative, powerful. In a world where attention is the scarcest commodity, transforming your image into art is a way to stand out in the feed — and this is pure visual marketing.
The technology behind the magic
The magic happens thanks to generative AI, a technology that learned to create new images from text commands or photos.
These models, like DALL·E (from OpenAI), Midjourney or Stable Diffusion, are trained with billions of images and artistic styles. When you send a photo, AI does not just "edit", she recreates you in another visual language — as if an artist were interpreting your essence in that style.
Today, platforms like ChatGPT itself with image feature, allow anyone to access this creative power easily, making the experience intuitive and accessible.
As a marketing professional, I see a turning point here: visual content is becoming increasingly customized and emotionally connected with the audience.
Why did this go viral so much?
There are strategic and emotional reasons behind this explosion
- Self-expression: People want to see themselves in a unique way.
- Nostalgia: Anime Aesthetics, comics, cartoons… all of this connects us with good memories.
- Ease of use: With just a few clicks, do you have something worthy of a gallery.
- High sharing potential: Perfect for those who want likes, comments and conversations.
In terms of digital engagement, these images break visual patterns and capture the gaze. It's the famous "Stop the Scroll", one of the greatest weapons of attention marketing.
Curiosities you didn't know
- Artists and designers are using AI to create quick drafts of projects, saving hours of work.
- Schools have integrated these tools into educational activities to spark children's creativity.
- Celebrities like Neymar, Billie Eilish and even regional influencers have already ridden this wave.
- Startups are creating businesses around this: physical boards, animated avatars, customized cards and even NFTs.
What we see here is a new type of creative economy — faster, accessible and scalable.
How to create your own art in minutes?
You can join this trend right now. Follow this step by step
- Choose a photo with good lighting and a visible face.
- Access a platform with generative image AI. Examples: ChatGPT with image, Lens, Remini, PicsArt etc.
- Select the desired style: Cartoon? Anime? Digital painting? HQ?
- Manage, edit if you want and share on social media.
Extra tip: use this as an avatar, profile picture, video cover, or to create a visual storytelling. It is a powerful tool for those who want to make their presence felt in the digital world.
And the future? Is this going to end or is it just beginning?
We are just at the beginning. This trend points to something much bigger
- Fashion, games, movies and advertising will incorporate avatars and digital identities.
- The advancement of metaverses and augmented reality will require more creative and personalized visual representations.
- Events, promotional gifts, brand experiences can be created based on AI-generated custom images.
- Professionals and brands will use this as emotional branding.
Whoever understands this trend now, will surf ahead and stand out in an increasingly visual market, dynamic and competitive.
Conclusion: the art of the present is digital
Art has always been about telling stories. Today, with artificial intelligence, this art is collaborative: you give the face, technology gives style. This opens up incredible possibilities — whether for having fun, to stand out, or build a stronger personal brand.
As a Marketing and Technology strategist, I believe that this type of innovation is not just aesthetic, it is a powerful positioning tool, identity and connection with the audience.
