Great piece....I think all fields are perpetually ripe for reinvention due to technology. Just this time, the pace is more rapid. And I think it was James Brown who might have said "stay ready so you don't have to get ready first"...I could be wrong.
This is the BEST breakdown I've read so far on the impact of AI on creatives (and beyond) AND you have takeaways + actionable items?! Thank you so much. I'm pivoting from graphic design to art direction and it's comforting to know that taste and discretion are things that will still be valued.
As much as I want to resist the AI movement, it's happening and I feel like using it in the ways you have outlined is a matter of survival at this point. I'm embracing it slowly, in my craft and at my job. Here's to the future?
Also, (opening Pandora's box here) have you seen any discussion around freelancers being asked to edit AI designs? Could there be a market (small potatoes) where clients are AI illiterate and will hire a designer to give them what they want?
Juni! Thank you on many levels - for the kind words but also your insights.
I honestly feel your stance — wanting to resist but embracing it slowly — could be one of the wisest. Many of us are embracing AI (and its impacts) out of hand, rushing to learn as many tools as possible.
What we sacrifice with that move is critical thinking, I'm afraid. Yo, these people keep making newer, wilder stuff every week! Why not truly set ourselves apart and develop an in-depth, point of view?
About Pandora's Box. Love where your head's at! I've heard of cases in which a full-time W2 employee is laid off, to have their role backfilled by a skilled freelancer. Most people in the creative industry know well that AI designs alone don't cut it, so wouldn't be surprised if the market exists! It's delightfully scrappy to think this way. If you explore it, please let me know how it goes!
Now it's time to research the ways that are open for artists who work on an authoral perspective. Because work for companies is not the main path of art, whatever capitalism made you think
Hi Nauno! So great to hear from you. It's true, most of this article was geared toward creative professionals who either work for companies or for themselves (their own companies, in that case).
I didn't spend as much time addressing full time visual artists who either have gallery representation or self-represent.
If you have any ideas of the pathways for artists, please let me know! :)
Hi Laura! Thank you for reading; I hope it helps you and your team make a decision or two :)
UGH it's painfully true. Rather than fixate on AI, we need to start talking about how much our standards are eroding in the name of saving time and money.
This is awesome! I was planning a quick glance but got pulled in. Super helpful and interesting to read your perspective (woven in with lots of data). It’s already helping me think of my own business and what changes would help.
Michelle!! Aww miss being in gyms with you, hope you're doing great. I feel happy it was helpful, thank you :)
Oo would love to know what AI specific changes you're thinking. I periodically think of your visually-striking Gumroad page — from when you first launched your writing coaching.
Hi Christine! So good to hear from you. I do too, because getting good at AI is not why a lot of us got into the game of being creative.
I don't know that I'm saying that, because I don't think an "us vs. AI/tech" attitude is going to lead to a thriving, creative life. In fact, I know it won't, and I'm guessing you probably know that too.
This piece is a roundup of the most reputable news about AI x creatives, based on my query. I'm going to be expanding on this a ton in coming newsletters. Hopefully we can keep chatting it out!
…the a.i. bot comment above ^^^ kind of sums it all up lol…
My thoughts exactly. Kind of brilliant and yet...
…it truly caught my attention…
Great piece....I think all fields are perpetually ripe for reinvention due to technology. Just this time, the pace is more rapid. And I think it was James Brown who might have said "stay ready so you don't have to get ready first"...I could be wrong.
Hi Candace! Great to hear from you. I agree, we're undergoing the reinvention and quickly. Quicker than we're ready for, probably.
Good to know re: James Brown, you're right!
The takeaway lands as both warning and direction: “Feel it all, make a plan, then stress-test it.”
Hi Ethan. Yes. There are very real upsides to AI for creatives. But given the reality, warnings are necessary. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This is the BEST breakdown I've read so far on the impact of AI on creatives (and beyond) AND you have takeaways + actionable items?! Thank you so much. I'm pivoting from graphic design to art direction and it's comforting to know that taste and discretion are things that will still be valued.
As much as I want to resist the AI movement, it's happening and I feel like using it in the ways you have outlined is a matter of survival at this point. I'm embracing it slowly, in my craft and at my job. Here's to the future?
Also, (opening Pandora's box here) have you seen any discussion around freelancers being asked to edit AI designs? Could there be a market (small potatoes) where clients are AI illiterate and will hire a designer to give them what they want?
Juni! Thank you on many levels - for the kind words but also your insights.
I honestly feel your stance — wanting to resist but embracing it slowly — could be one of the wisest. Many of us are embracing AI (and its impacts) out of hand, rushing to learn as many tools as possible.
What we sacrifice with that move is critical thinking, I'm afraid. Yo, these people keep making newer, wilder stuff every week! Why not truly set ourselves apart and develop an in-depth, point of view?
About Pandora's Box. Love where your head's at! I've heard of cases in which a full-time W2 employee is laid off, to have their role backfilled by a skilled freelancer. Most people in the creative industry know well that AI designs alone don't cut it, so wouldn't be surprised if the market exists! It's delightfully scrappy to think this way. If you explore it, please let me know how it goes!
Now it's time to research the ways that are open for artists who work on an authoral perspective. Because work for companies is not the main path of art, whatever capitalism made you think
Hi Nauno! So great to hear from you. It's true, most of this article was geared toward creative professionals who either work for companies or for themselves (their own companies, in that case).
I didn't spend as much time addressing full time visual artists who either have gallery representation or self-represent.
If you have any ideas of the pathways for artists, please let me know! :)
This is an excellent deep dive, and I'm sharing it with my team. Thank you for the very human effort you put into it.
This is the line that resonated the most:
The “good enough” bar is what kills — not AI quality exceeding humans, but clients accepting AI quality as sufficient
Hi Laura! Thank you for reading; I hope it helps you and your team make a decision or two :)
UGH it's painfully true. Rather than fixate on AI, we need to start talking about how much our standards are eroding in the name of saving time and money.
This is awesome! I was planning a quick glance but got pulled in. Super helpful and interesting to read your perspective (woven in with lots of data). It’s already helping me think of my own business and what changes would help.
Michelle!! Aww miss being in gyms with you, hope you're doing great. I feel happy it was helpful, thank you :)
Oo would love to know what AI specific changes you're thinking. I periodically think of your visually-striking Gumroad page — from when you first launched your writing coaching.
basically you're saying if you can't beat 'em, join 'em? wish there was a solution other than becoming ai fluent
Hi Christine! So good to hear from you. I do too, because getting good at AI is not why a lot of us got into the game of being creative.
I don't know that I'm saying that, because I don't think an "us vs. AI/tech" attitude is going to lead to a thriving, creative life. In fact, I know it won't, and I'm guessing you probably know that too.
This piece is a roundup of the most reputable news about AI x creatives, based on my query. I'm going to be expanding on this a ton in coming newsletters. Hopefully we can keep chatting it out!