A new platform called Darta has launched to turn running data into unique art pieces.
- Darta was created by Darren Hughes, who combines his passion for running and technology.
- The platform offers an alternative to traditional medals, creating art from personal running data.
- Darta utilises recent advancements in AI technology to offer diverse and creative styles.
- Users can choose how they want their art printed, making it a personal celebration of their efforts.
Today marks the launch of Darta, a creative platform aiming to transform running data into personalised art. Based in Manchester, this service allows runners to commemorate their accomplishments with distinctive pieces of art, providing a novel way to celebrate running milestones.
Darta is the brainchild of Darren Hughes, an enthusiast of both running and technology, who has previously sold his logo generator, Withoomph, to Canva. Over the past three years, Hughes has developed this concept amidst rapid advancements in AI technology, particularly in the last year. This timing has seen significant improvements in visual content creation, enabling a broader array of artistic styles.
The innovative Darta process involves three straightforward steps for creating an art piece. Users can select their desired style, input their running and personal data, and immediately receive multiple options of modern, artistic outputs. These options range from screen-printed and sophisticated to humorous interpretations.
Darta positions its creations as a sustainable substitute for the conventional medals and memorabilia associated with running events. Runners, as well as their loved ones, can now choose to have these artworks printed on items such as posters, mugs, and T-shirts.
Hughes highlights a gap in the market for a customised celebration of running achievements. He states, ‘I felt there was a gap in the market for a unique personalised contemporary celebration of running achievements. The medal has long been the favourite of awards, but we wanted to try to create something unique for each runner.'”Runners have unique stories, and Darta aims to capture and narrate these individual journeys through art, offering inspiration for others to take up running, which Hughes notes is accessible and beneficial for both physical and mental health.
With an extensive background in digital sports marketing with major brands like Nike and British Cycling, Hughes utilises his expertise to craft bespoke recognition of sporting achievements. According to Hughes, the simultaneous acceleration of Darta’s development and AI technology represents a fortuitous convergence, allowing Darta to start offering unique artistic tributes to runners of every skill level.
Darta offers a creative and sustainable approach to celebrating running achievements, merging art and personal data to honour individual stories.
