Using AI to help tackle creative block
In recent times, artificial intelligence and creativity has become a focal point of discussion within the creative industry. As creatives, we navigate a dynamic landscape where staying ahead of technological advancements is not just beneficial, but increasingly necessary. One such technological marvel that’s leaving its mark on the creative process is AI.
I’ve been dedicating some of my personal development days to honing my illustration idea generation skills. When you’re tackling themes such as ‘control tax,’ ‘manage payroll,’ and ‘making tax digital,’ you have to think outside the box in order to craft original, simplistic, yet engaging ideas.
Recently, I stumbled upon a Skillshare course that claimed AI software can be a game-changer in overcoming creative blocks. The use of AI in the creative industry has raised concerns about job displacement and the potential replication of artists’ unique styles. However, it’s clear that AI is here to stay, and as creatives, we should aim to utilize this tool to make our creative processes smoother and more effective.
The first part of this course taught me how to discover creative prompts, which I found incredibly valuable. I needed to create an illustration related to sending emails or data. So, I turned to Chat GPT and asked, ‘I am creating an illustration about a character sending emails or messages. Can you help me brainstorm ideas for this?’ The response provided various inspiring ideas and prompts, one of which caught my attention: ‘Message in a Bottle.’ It suggested illustrating ‘a character placing a message in a whimsical digital bottle and tossing it into a vast sea of emails, with each bottle representing a sent message.’ While my final illustration wasn’t an exact match, this idea served as a fantastic starting point.
I also used Adobe Firefly to generate AI-generated reference imagery. This helped me to hone specific details and refine the character’s angle and pose, which was more specific and inspiring than a typical Google Image search. This approach encouraged me to create a more original composition.
While I’ve brainstormed ideas independently in the past, I found AI tools to be extremely helpful in generating additional ideas, especially when suffering from creative block or when dealing with less visually inspiring illustration briefs. As we navigate the creative industry, the relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence is becoming more prevalent. Instead of fearing job displacement, embracing AI as a complementary tool unlocks new dimensions of creativity. Befriending AI becomes synonymous with enhancing, not stifling, the creative process.
The ‘Send To Customer’ illustration now sits with the rest of our digital library and stands as a prime example of how AI can be utilized as a catalyst for creativity. The fusion of human and artificial intelligence that not only serves its practical function but also elevates the art of communication to new, imaginative heights.
