Fleksy, a sophisticated AI keyboard offering autocorrection and competing with established platforms like Google’s Gboard and Microsoft’s Swiftkey, is introducing a novel feature designed to attract users: customizable Art keyboards.

The company has recently launched FleksyArt, a digital marketplace where artists can sell their creations directly to Fleksy users, allowing for personalized keyboard aesthetics.

While Fleksy has previously offered keyboard themes, this new art marketplace represents a significant expansion, opening the platform to a diverse range of artists to distribute their work to the keyboard’s substantial user base – numbering in the “millions.” The company emphasizes that the keyboard is the second most frequently used app on smartphones, making it prime digital real estate.

Because this involves artwork displayed on a keyboard, the designs incorporate the letters of Fleksy’s keyboard. Therefore, the startup stresses the importance of maintaining readability. The success of each design will depend on its clarity, though the possibilities for artistic expression are extensive.

The platform is currently accepting applications from additional artists who can submit their portfolios for consideration here.

Victoria Gerchinhoren, Fleksy’s chief design officer, details the process: “Our design team reviews submitted portfolios to determine suitability for inclusion in our marketplace,” she explains, adding that Fleksy has proactively chosen several artists to initiate the program. “I then provide them with guidelines for asset preparation and finalize the specifications before publishing within the application.”

“There are established guidelines regarding the number of themes included in each pack – typically 2-4 – and artists are free to create as many packs as they wish. We encourage artists to create cohesive packs, where the individual pieces share a common theme or style,” she continues.

“We feature these packs in a dedicated section within the host app, which we recently redesigned specifically for this purpose, and promote them through our social media channels. We have also just launched a website section showcasing artist interviews, profiles, and biographies to provide them with a prominent platform.”

Fleksy has established a fixed price of €2.99 for all art packs to ensure equitable competition and consistent pricing for artists on the marketplace, as Gerchinhoren states.

The revenue generated from sales is split 50:50 between the artist and Fleksy, after accounting for Google’s 30% commission. This results in Google receiving €0.89 per sale, with the remaining amount divided between Fleksy and the artist.

Fleksy has also affirmed that artists will retain full copyright ownership of their artwork.

“We are structuring this collaboration as a revenue-sharing partnership,” the company notes on its website. “You will receive 50% of the revenue after Google’s 30% commission. We believe this is a fair arrangement, as you will provide the Artwork, and Fleksy will implement and distribute it. Payments will be made bi-annually, upon receipt of a valid invoice from you.”