Design x AI A Hopeful Outlook On The Future For Creatives
Important note: this blog was not written by AI
Written by Natalie Bloom
13 December 2023
Ever since I got my degree in web design and development, the general sentiment of those who like to project their anxieties onto others has been, “AI is going to take your job.”
The reality is that the people who use AI will take my job if I don’t learn how to use it, but AI cannot do what I do as a visual creative.
Machine learning is based on the analysis of data, it is a science. Design is in part a science in that there are rules that need to be followed to produce a “good design”, but design is also an art- derived from creativity which can’t be bottled ….or manufactured by a computer.
AI doesn’t have new ideas, its output is an amalgamation of data pulled from existing ideas.
If you have ever played with AI tools that help generate visuals, you know the output all looks pretty uniform and templated. It is only a matter of time before companies will want to differentiate their branding, as design like any other industry follows a trend cycle, and this manufactured look created by a computer won’t always be seen as the goal. Designers who maintained a shred of humanity will step into the light ready to bring the people what they crave- something new.
Now I know it is expensive to live and most of us who sit at computers will have jobs that will require us to incorporate AI into our work flow. Capitalism rewards efficiency. That’s reality, I’ll learn what I have to learn to excel at work but what I won’t do is lose sight of the fact that creativity is my most valuable asset and a muscle that must be exercised or it will atrophy. The only way to generate creativity is by engaging in creative pursuits.
Having a creative outlet outside of work is one way to maintain the creative muscle.
If your creativity is valued at work- I am so thrilled for you! But if not, go back to the basics- practice the art form you practiced before you had to monetize your passions to survive. Value process over output, and do it often, even if only for a few minutes. Every second spent making something from nothing keeps you tapped into a creative energy flow transferable to any medium you focus it on in the future, plus your work in traditional art will indirectly inform your design work.
I call this visual intuition having “the eye” for aesthetics. While it may exist naturally, the more you challenge your eye, the stronger your eye gets. If you know what looks good intuitively, the rules for how to execute a specific visual in the proper context can be learned. My career transition comes from this same logic, I said to myself, “I am good at and love painting, I will be good at and love making websites” and guess what else I learned I love making: logos, layouts, blog posts, style guides, illustrations, templates, banners… the common denominator is the making. Getting good at it comes from learning execution skills and relevant rules.
So yes, I am taking the time to master front-end development and Adobe software in the face of AI because I believe these are the tools I will need to create impactful visuals that will sustain a lifetime of creating. And also because this is fun for me, and anything you do for 40 hours + a week should be a little fun.
I have been fortunate that the network I established through 5 years of selling my paintings has supported my transition to offering digital design (I love you if you are reading this). As I job hunt, I am sharpening my skills and strengthening my foundation in design through freelance. My network is saving me from accepting a social media manager role just because it’s more available; I already put in my time as a social media manager for my own work, and it led me here. When the right role is in front of me, I will be ready.
And yes, I did check this blog post for grammar with Grammarly, but no, I didn’t copy and paste from ChatGPT. I know where the line is between creativity and convenience, and I want to show you I can write original blogs for your brand’s website, too 😉
To view my copywriting skills in action, head over to artist Carol Fetty’s Website, where I interpret her art through product listings that are not only optimized for SEO but aim to connect Carol’s art with her audience.
