In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword but a tangible force reshaping our world, creative professionals are navigating a new landscape. The introduction of AI into the realms of art, writing, and design has been akin to throwing a spark into a pile of dry kindling — igniting a fiery debate about the future of creativity. This article delves into the evolving universe where creativity intersects with AI, offering insights and strategies for creative professionals striving to not just survive but thrive.
We’ll explore how AI can be a collaborator rather than a competitor, the importance of uniquely human creativity, and the ways in which embracing technology can elevate your artistic journey. Whether you’re a digital artist, a writer, or a designer, this piece aims to arm you with the knowledge and tools to carve out your own space in the AI-augmented world of creativity.
Without futher ado, here’s the advice I’d give to an up-and-coming creative professional:
- Develop a personal relationship with your clients. People skills are incredibly important for any professional artist. I mainly work with local clients that I know IRL and get new clients through word of mouth. Being likeable leads to repeat customers, and AI can’t replace a human relationship.
- Quick and cheap usually beats slow and expensive. Most clients don’t need your work to be a perfect masterpiece. If, for instance, you’re designing an advertisement, the art just needs to be eye-catching to draw people in. After that, the most important thing is that the ad communicates its information in an easy-to-read manner. Nobody is going to be scrutinizing the art like like it’s a museum piece, so don’t worry about the tiny details. Respect your clients’ time and budget.
- Add AI to your workflow. This follows from the previous point. As a graphic designer, I used to work primarily with stock images, but I’ve switched to using AI. It saves time I used to spend scrolling through stock image sites, and the results are a lot more unique and closer to my original vision. I’d be hesitant to use AI images for serious passion projects until the technology improves, but a little bit of AI jank doesn’t matter if no one’s going to be looking too closely.
- Go high concept. I’ve avoided social media in the past because I found it too stressful, and it wasn’t helpful in finding clients, but I recently rejoined to Twitter to share my AI art creations. I’ve been having a lot of fun thinking up unique concepts and having AI bring them to life. (Currently, I’m making horror and fantasy reimaginings of popular Christmas characters.) Since I’ve started posting AI art regularly, I’ve been getting new followers every day. Since AI takes away a lot of the skill required to create art, having unique and interesting concepts is the best way to set your work apart.
- Think bigger. As AI programs become more advanced, it will become easier for independent creators to tackle larger and larger projects. Have you ever wanted to direct your own movie or create a game with AAA visuals? In a few years, you’ll realistically be able to. And remember that no matter how good AI gets, applying a layer of human polish and personalization to the final project will always be necessary if you want your work to stand out in a sea of AI-generated content. Let AI handle the tedious grunt work and focus on the elements you find most creatively fulfilling. Don’t chase trends or play to the peanut gallery. If you create work that is meaningful to you, chances are that other people will find it meaningful too.
- Diversify your skills and income streams. People who hyper-specialize in a single niche are the easiest to replace by advancing technology. Being a successful creative pro means learning how to use lots of different skillsets together so you can adapt to an everchanging artistic landscape. Among other things, I have experience with graphic design, illustration, audio/video editing, merch on demand, self-publishing, search-engine optimization, and online advertising. Being a jack of all trades and a quick learner helps you generate multiple income streams and form closer relationships with key clients.
- Become a teacher. Teachers are unlikely to be automated because most people prefer learning from a human instructor. See if there are any after-school programs in your area looking for skilled art teachers. Retirement homes often host arts and crafts classes for their residents as well. You might need to be an unpaid volunteer at first, but once you gain more experience, it will be easier to apply for paid positions. You can also try becoming a private tutor or creating online classes through sites like Skillshare. Teaching helps you develop your skills while giving back to the community, so it’s defintely something to look into.
There are still lots of opportunities for artists willing to operate outside their comfort zone and I don’t see AI changing that. Just be adaptable and creative and always try new things, and eventually you’ll figure it out.
