Why Digital Goods Are Becoming Big Business For Creators

InnovationCreator EconomyWhy Digital Goods Are Becoming Big Business For CreatorsByIan Shepherd,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Ian Shepherd is an investor and host of the Business of CreatorsFollow AuthorApr 27, 2026, 12:02pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Teens in circle holding smart mobile phones - Multicultural young people using cellphones outside - Teenagers addicted to new technology conceptgettyAs creators look for new ways to grow beyond content, one area is drawing increasing attention: digital goods. From in-game skins to virtual fashion, digital items are emerging as a new layer of monetization, one that combines identity, scarcity and community. And increasingly, creators are bringing their own intellectual property into these environments.Pidgin Doll, created by artist Joshua David McKenney, offers a clear example of how that evolution is playing out.What began as a niche art project has grown into a multi-platform brand. Now, with its expansion into digital fashion through the virtual platform Highrise, it shows how creator-led IP can move beyond physical products and into interactive environments.From Physical Object To Digital IdentityIn Highrise, users create avatars and express themselves through clothing and accessories. For McKenney, the platform stood out for its creative freedom.“This is a world where anything goes,” he says. “People are incorporating their shadows into their outfits… it’s just so creative.”The Pidgin Doll collection translates his aesthetic, known for its exaggerated femininity and surreal details, into digital form. Users can mix and match items, creating their own interpretations of the brand. “There’s a finite amount of items that exist… so if you have something you’re not wearing anymore, you can resell it,” he explains.This begins to position digital fashion as something closer to...