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As a designer and artist, I’ve always found fulfillment in creativity. But in recent years, something unexpected reignited my passion and pushed the boundaries of my imagination: AI. Embracing AI in the design industry has the potential to transform not only how we create but also how we think about our creative process. While I don’t currently use AI in my professional design work, it has profoundly impacted me on a personal level, bringing me back to the joy of creating from my heart.
But as AI continues to develop, I see many designers worrying that this technology will make their skills obsolete, that they’ll be pushed aside by automated tools. I understand the fear, but I don’t share it. In fact, I believe that embracing AI in the design industry—learning it, understanding it, and deciding how it fits into your creative process—will only strengthen your place in the future of design.
AI Is Not the End of Creativity—It’s the Beginning of Something New
For me, AI has opened up new realms of imagination. It allows me to create art that comes directly from my heart, without the constraints of my professional work. Even though I don’t use AI in my design career, my work has been enriched by the creative fulfillment I find through AI. When I’m fulfilled as a person, my design work naturally benefits as well. The same is true for many of my peers—they may not use AI in their daily work, but the excitement and inspiration they find from exploring it have made them more creative overall.
That’s what I wish more designers could see: AI isn’t here to replace creativity—it’s here to enhance it. Much like the advent of Photoshop, Illustrator, and other design tools, AI is simply another resource. It’s not about AI versus humans; it’s about how we can use this new tool to expand what we’re capable of. Embracing AI in the design industry is an opportunity, not a threat.
Shutting AI Out Won’t Save Your Job
It’s understandable that some designers are wary of AI. The idea of automation encroaching on what has traditionally been a deeply human craft feels unsettling. But avoiding AI entirely isn’t a solution—it’s a way to make yourself obsolete. Technology moves forward whether we embrace it or not. The best way to future-proof your career as a designer is to understand the tools that are shaping the future of your industry.
Exploring AI doesn’t mean you have to love it or incorporate it into your daily workflow. Think of it like asking a painter to try sculpting. They may not love the process, but they’ll understand something new about their craft and the tools available to them. AI is no different. It’s a medium that may not resonate with everyone, but the more you understand it, the better prepared you’ll be for the future.
Even though I don’t use AI in my professional design work (because my client projects and personal art are very different), I love it for how it ignites my creative brain. The design world is evolving, and staying informed is essential to staying relevant. Embracing AI in the design industry is part of staying on the cutting edge of what’s possible.
We’re All Training the Future—One Prompt at a Time
One of the most important aspects of AI is that the more we use it, the better it becomes. Just like raising a child, the environment in which AI grows will shape how it develops. If we take a step back and let AI evolve without guidance, there’s no telling what it will learn. But if we, as creatives, engage with AI, contribute to its development, and train the dataset, we can help ensure that it grows into a tool that reflects the diversity and creativity of the global community.
In other words, every time you use AI, you’re contributing to its future. This technology is still in its infancy, and the voices shaping it today will have a profound impact on the kind of tool it becomes tomorrow. If we want AI to reflect a wide range of perspectives, cultures, and creative approaches, we need to be part of the process. It’s a responsibility, but it’s also an opportunity.
The Future Is Coming—Don’t Leave Your Voice Out
We are at the very beginning of what I believe will be a major shift in the creative industry. AI isn’t a passing trend; it’s the beginning of a new era in design and art. But here’s the important part: You get to decide how it fits into your creative life. By engaging with AI now, you’re not just future-proofing your career—you’re helping to shape the future of design itself.
To my fellow designers, I encourage you to explore AI. Don’t be afraid of it. Learn it, understand it, and see what it can bring to your creative process. You may find that it opens up new avenues of creativity, or you may decide it’s not for you. But either way, you’ll be better prepared for the future that is undoubtedly coming. And that, in my opinion, is what being a designer is all about.
If you’re curious about AI and want to experiment with tools like DALL-E 3 or Stable Diffusion via Replicate, feel free to tinker around on my Explore page, where you can see firsthand how these AI technologies can enhance the creative process.
