October 2023
We're living in an exciting era where technology is continually reshaping the way we approach creativity and… well, everything, really.
One remarkable trend sweeping the creative sector is the rise of Artificial Intelligence for image generation. AI is revolutionizing the way we create – or, more accurately, generate – stunning visuals.
Disclaimer: The following article was partially written by an AI, changed, added to then edited by a human, then things went haywire from there. The opinions expressed are that of an AI and a human and good luck working out which bit is which.
*All images purchased online from @an_improbable_future.
A.I. art
I’ve been following a couple of very talented individuals abroad, who create and publish AI-generated images as art, using tools such as Midjourney, which seems to be a common denominator for artists in my social media orbit.
To my surprise, there’s one individual called ‘Mx’ (anonymously so) using Midjourney, who's AI imagery I really like. A lot. That's @an_improbable_future.
"Midjourney is an independent research lab exploring new mediums of thought and expanding the imaginative powers of the human species. We are a small self-funded team focused on design, human infrastructure, and AI. We have 11 full-timestaff and an incredible set of advisors."
Incidentally, having stumbled across the @an_improbable_future project on Instagram, I only know the handle Mx because I read three sentences about it on Frankfurt’s stylepark.com - read it here.
Just like Banksy, anonymity seems to be working pretty well for Mx but what would Banksy say about the art?
To be fair, the fact that I like @an_improbable_future so much, is more likely to be because his work reminds me of several childhood passions, the UK-produced Supermarionation of Thunderbirds, and, no doubt predictably, Star Wars.
Yep, I was there in the movie theatre in 1978 when Star Wars was released and I can honestly say George Lucas blew my befuddled 12-year old mind.
But I digress.
A.I. is definitely changing design
It feels like only minutes ago that creating beautiful imagery meant hours of meticulously focused work, grinding away on a hot Macintosh loaded to the gunnels with all kinds of Adobe software, libraries, plug-ins and other mysterious technical wizardry.
Or so I have been told. I’ve never personally possessed the super-human powers required to operate such magical machines - as many of my super-friends have and do on a daily basis, to great effect (I’m looking at you Adam).
It seems AI is changing the game. “It's becoming the designer's best friend, making it faster and easier to explore ideas, streamline workflows, and even inspire new avenues of creativity”, says the AI itself. Hmmm.
AI is apparently blowing the doors off the traditional design techniques, allowing the great unskilled, like me, to crawl right into the design studio… figuratively speaking.
Perhaps there’s hope for me yet?
Here's what an A.I. says about...um... A.I.
Here’s some hopefully useful and interesting stuff the AI told me…. after I asked about using AI for image generation.
It’s fascinating on a number of levels. I learnt a few things and, assuming it's real and I expect it probably is accurate, I think it’s worth a quick read (said the human in this case) – quite the sales pitch.
AI-Powered Artistic Vision
AI-driven image generation tools are not just about automating tasks; they're about enhancing artistic vision. These systems are trained on vast datasets of artwork, enabling them to understand and replicate artistic styles or create new things. Whether you want a vintage oil painting look or a sleek, modern graphic, AI can help you achieve it with astonishing precision.
Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)
One of the keytechnologies driving AI in image generation is Generative Adversarial Networksor, GANs. GANs consist of two neural networks: a generator and a discriminator. The generator creates images, while the discriminator evaluates their quality. They work together in a cat-and-mouse game, improving with each iteration. This dynamic process results in highly realistic and creative outputs.
Time-Saving Efficiency
Imagine generating dozens of images for a project in a matter of minutes. In theory, AI makes it possible, at least to a point. Instead of starting from scratch every time, AIcan assist in producing variations and alternatives rapidly. This not only saves time but also allows designers to focus on the key creative aspects of their work.
Democratising Design
One could argue one of the benefits is that AI has a democratizing effect on design, making it accessible to more people. Perhaps you don't need to be a design guru to create striking visuals anymore. With user-friendly AI tools, individuals with minimal design experience can produce professional-quality images, as long as they possess the patience to manipulate...
Inspiring Creativity
AI doesn't just follow pre-set rules; it can also surprise us with new ideas. By combining elements, styles, and concepts from a broad range of sources, AI-generated images can inspire fresh and unconventional design choices. It's like having a digital muse that continually sparks your creative imagination.
......
Damn, it's not bad at selling the idea.
Back to the human
Let’s be honest. While AI is a powerful tool, it's not a replacement for human creativity and ingenuity. I’m relatively convinced that designers still play a pivotal role, guiding AI systems, infusing them with intention, and ensuring the final output aligns with the project's goals.
But then again, that guy from IBM slightly underestimated the computer market in 1943. Thomas Watson, president of IBM at the time, is reputed to have said: "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." Nup.
Let’s not hang our hat on anything just yet.
There’s no doubt AI image generation is transforming the creative sector, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
It's an exciting time to be a part of the design world, “with AI as a valuable ally on the journey of creative exploration”, it said - until, of course, machines take over the world.
We’ve all seen James Cameron’s documentary about Skynet!
So, as the AI suggested I say, “embrace the technology, let it complement our artistic flair, and together, let's see if we can create visuals that leave a lasting impression.”
And cross your bloody fingers too.
Arigatō.
