Creating the right mindset when embracing AI.
As an artist, creative, writer and filmmaker, I’ve been experimenting with AI for a number of years. I am now actively using AI tools in all of my professional projects.
I have always embraced tools as a means to help express my work and my art. There are no boundaries I see when creating by hand or on the computer. Most of time, the boundaries are becoming increasing blurred.
CULTIVATING A MINDSET FOR CONSTANT CREATING
The human species evolves, as do all aspects of life, from culture to technology, from sports to collective greater consciousness. Therefore, we should all adopt the mindset of being “evolutionary artists”. We should always be learning, always creating, and always pushing forward. Therefore, it is only natural that we attempt to harness more knowledge from different means and tools that are available to us. For example, I learnt how to use calligraphy pens as I wanted to improve my handwriting and express my writing in a more more unique way. We should continue to draw and paint and seek out new tools that challenge us and help us push into new directions. This perspective and way of thinking is for the betterment of our artistic journey, whether it is a personal or a professional journey. As designers, we are coming up with initial ideas and concepts when designing for a brand. We survey the scope of tools at our disposal. However, I will often use the tactile feel of pencil on paper as opposed to doodling on a tablet. This approach also helps to keep me grounded and balanced especially in the face on modern technology.
That said, we can utilize AI tools to enhance and aid the workflow of our projects. There are many reasons for us to do this. Sometimes it helps from a time factor, sometimes it is help increase productivity. Most often, it extends the boundaries of ideation and conceptualization.
Evolution. From original paintings to CG infused composites and then AI integrated composited in Photoshop.
For example, I was delivering a pitch for a client and brand. I would often have a hand drawn storyboards of the story, at the very least, some decent thumbnail sketches to start. I would include a small amount of ‘keyframe visuals’ too. The key visual frames, in this case, I created using a combination of drawings, paintings, photographs, that I had taken, along with CG created in Blender, stock assets and all combined in Photoshop or After Effects.
I have been able to use tools like Midjourney, with appropriate prompts, as an “executive“ stock search. This is more for reference and ideation though. This is proving to be such a time saver. In this case, I was trying to find and ‘generate’ the ideal reference image of a cherry blossom tree, in full bloom, at the right camera angle, at the right time of day and in the desired composition in frame. Things are evolving quickly though as, both Shutterstock and Getty now have their own AI licensed stock search tools too.
A composite of hand painted watercolors on paper and AI renders composited in Photoshop.
LEARNING SPECIFIC AI CREATIVE TOOLS
I used Vizcom, Midjourney and Runway, to further aid speedier ideation and create up to four times the amount of style frames. I also created an initial motion test.
I was blown away by unleashing this combination in conjunction with the Adobe set of tools. At this moment of seismic change, with the range of AI tools at our disposal, it felt I can truly elevate my own process.
As artists, creators and producers of art and design, especially for clients and brands, we always have a ‘mantra’ in the back of our brains – “the right tools, for the right jobs”. That is never truer. These new AI tools should be thought about in the same way. This is why I designate time to experiment with them, often in the evenings or at the weekend.
There are many times that we create ‘happy accidents’. In a blitz of conceptualizing, ideating, or the creation of characters and environments, we often create a result that is unexpected and excites us.
A CAUTIOUS NOTE
A note of caution though. I do struggle with that an infinite amount of images have been fed into these AI tools to enable them to generate the output. There are and will be further lawsuits on the horizon. This is why I currently believe that we should not be using any AI output for a final render for commercial purposes. I have be mentioning the concept and ideating process for the most part. This beginning phase is the playground in which I use these tools.
A LIFETIME OF LEARNING & EXPERIMENTATION
Maintaining a thirst for learning will stand you in good stead. Some AI tools are incredibly powerful and some are just terrible. But it is through experimentation with these tools and the extra time taken to devote to these experiments, that I will glean how I can execute my vision faster. Of course, nothing is perfect but I will often surprise myself with a greater level of quality than I could have not imagined. For now, we should all keep experimenting and keep challenging yourself with a complement of new and traditional tools that help elevate your own creative process.
AND FINALLY…
And finally, as a reminder, artists and creatives are and should always be hired for their imagination and their unique vision, not because of the tools they use!
