Thanks for this, Sterling. Found it comforting as I experience existential dread. While I browsed through LinkedIn this morning, I'm constantly reminded that the corporate (& design world) does not care about artists and instead value efficiency. On those posts, it's designers and entrepeneurs cheering for the tools that are displacing their peers, unaware that their jobs are at risk as well (or arrogant enough to think that they would be unaffected). It's got me in a rollercoaster of emotions, and I feel I can't do anything but ride it out and hope for the best.
I'm glad that I was able to provide a bit of perspective. I'm the first to profess that I am swimming in this open ocean as much as anyone else. I found this helpful from Dave McKean: "A couple of days after reading about and digesting the implications of AI image creation, I decided I could either retire or respond. Here’s my response, a 96-page book of short graphic stories exploring and conversing with AI." https://www.davemckean.com/products/prompt-conversations-with-ai/
I also have a mentor here in TyRuben Ellingson who I am engaging with regarding AI's capabilities, threats and potential. I'm choosing to look this monster in the eyes, to know my enemy and see if there is space to build a bridge or if it is all out war. I also have the benefit of working in the health and science space and I'm seeing positive implications there, as well. I think choosing to ride the wave and see where this goes is the better alternative to drowning.
Vincent, It's an overwhelming time and so much of our value as artists is tied to these hard earned skills. Ted Kinsella once said that, as teacher, he doesn't take the dreams of his students lightly. I always like that. These are ambitions and self identity. Our value both monetarily and through our own sense of self. I'm embattled with all of this, as well.
Yes, that’s the only ethical stance to take with students.
I’m honestly not sure I could teach an illustration course in good conscience right now.
A more general survey of what it takes to make it as a personal brand, yes, but for someone looking to build a career that looks anything like one you could have 30 years ago?
Absolutely not.
Like you stated so well, the future is in being creatively autonomous via a self sustaining ecosystem of IP and related products. Maybe teaching & consulting, too.
The only artists I see who are thriving (and this isn’t a huge list) are ones who have become more marketer than creator by necessity & offer info products, maybe hit it with an IP and have developed a cult audience, perhaps went viral & somehow have sustained this and monetized it via a social channel like YouTube or who are outside of the illustration bubble entirely and sell via galleries.
A creator of any stripe needs to build a strong marketing skill stack in addition to their craft.
I don’t know of a single art school that’s bringing in someone who has mastered one of the examples above to teach students.
As the fortune cookie says...”May you live in interesting times!”
You are speaking nothing but truth. As an educator, I've evolved and pursued creativity applied broadly. The freelance market has changed considerably, but it always does. The employed artist in entertainment are clearly being affected, too. I try to make it clear to students that passively waiting for a client to call can not be the only revenue stream. Being broadly creative in all things, including marketing and business is the only true way to diversify.
Yes, you were one of the first people I saw talk about this & actively create unconventional outlets for your work.
Really, you were ahead of the curve with things like Legendeer. Retreats & events are such a big ticket item for coaches of any stripe.
(I should know, I’ve written for a few promoting them - copywriting! Creativity applied broadly!)
I’d be interested to hear what the game plan you share with students is these days. You talk about it here, but I mean tactics in addition to strategy.
What I’ve shared for people who ask...
- habituate creativity to handle skill formation (sketchbooks, life drawing, etc. - what you’ve always talked about)
- demystify marketing & sales and get familiar with the basics (copy, promotion, etc.)
- pursue a big project you can monetize (IP)
- try and put an offer in front of your audience as often as possible (prints, originals, books, whatever is on tap)
- own your audience via a newsletter and develop a relationship with those people
Hi Sterling, I have been waiting for this kind of article / write up to drop from you since you began Think Louder. Like you said, I don't think this topic is one that we as creators can sit out on. Ultimately, my thoughts on AI are the following; AI is not inherently evil, but because we live in an often unethical world filled with unethical businesses, governments, and people, it can absolutely turn into a tool of harm as much as it can be a tool to save us. In a perfect world, AI art wouldn't be an issue because all artists wouldn't need to pay for food, rent, and bills. However, we don't live in a perfect world and we are ruled by money, consumerism, commerce. For better or for worse.
I recently reread one of my favorite short stories "I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream" and I feel like that story is more relevant today than it ever was. AM is not an malevolent AI born out of inhuman logic, but rather pure emotion--rage, in particular. Anger at the circumstances that brought it into existence and the fact that it isn't human. Now, I'm not saying Dall-E is going to turn into a Terminator in twenty years, but like you have said, our humanity is our biggest strength, in all our flawed ways. I think this will be the biggest "thing" of today's and upcoming artists. It's definitely up to us to determine the path AI overall will take.
I haven't read the story, but the title speaks volumes. AI is a tool (at the moment- implying that it is a tool for us to use or not use), and it is subject to the whims of people and all of our flaws. The real fear is that it evolves beyond a tool into something more. These are the predictions with the Singularity- that defining moment when our technology becomes sentient. Some speculate this has already happened.
The dust isn't event settling and we are searching for our place; our foothold. For now, I respond to the best of my ability. I create, I evolve. I always appreciate your thoughts, Ocean.
Thanks for this, Sterling. Found it comforting as I experience existential dread. While I browsed through LinkedIn this morning, I'm constantly reminded that the corporate (& design world) does not care about artists and instead value efficiency. On those posts, it's designers and entrepeneurs cheering for the tools that are displacing their peers, unaware that their jobs are at risk as well (or arrogant enough to think that they would be unaffected). It's got me in a rollercoaster of emotions, and I feel I can't do anything but ride it out and hope for the best.
I'm glad that I was able to provide a bit of perspective. I'm the first to profess that I am swimming in this open ocean as much as anyone else. I found this helpful from Dave McKean: "A couple of days after reading about and digesting the implications of AI image creation, I decided I could either retire or respond. Here’s my response, a 96-page book of short graphic stories exploring and conversing with AI." https://www.davemckean.com/products/prompt-conversations-with-ai/
I also have a mentor here in TyRuben Ellingson who I am engaging with regarding AI's capabilities, threats and potential. I'm choosing to look this monster in the eyes, to know my enemy and see if there is space to build a bridge or if it is all out war. I also have the benefit of working in the health and science space and I'm seeing positive implications there, as well. I think choosing to ride the wave and see where this goes is the better alternative to drowning.
Glad you’re talking about this, Sterling. If only others were as reasonable!
Vincent, It's an overwhelming time and so much of our value as artists is tied to these hard earned skills. Ted Kinsella once said that, as teacher, he doesn't take the dreams of his students lightly. I always like that. These are ambitions and self identity. Our value both monetarily and through our own sense of self. I'm embattled with all of this, as well.
Yes, that’s the only ethical stance to take with students.
I’m honestly not sure I could teach an illustration course in good conscience right now.
A more general survey of what it takes to make it as a personal brand, yes, but for someone looking to build a career that looks anything like one you could have 30 years ago?
Absolutely not.
Like you stated so well, the future is in being creatively autonomous via a self sustaining ecosystem of IP and related products. Maybe teaching & consulting, too.
The only artists I see who are thriving (and this isn’t a huge list) are ones who have become more marketer than creator by necessity & offer info products, maybe hit it with an IP and have developed a cult audience, perhaps went viral & somehow have sustained this and monetized it via a social channel like YouTube or who are outside of the illustration bubble entirely and sell via galleries.
A creator of any stripe needs to build a strong marketing skill stack in addition to their craft.
I don’t know of a single art school that’s bringing in someone who has mastered one of the examples above to teach students.
As the fortune cookie says...”May you live in interesting times!”
You are speaking nothing but truth. As an educator, I've evolved and pursued creativity applied broadly. The freelance market has changed considerably, but it always does. The employed artist in entertainment are clearly being affected, too. I try to make it clear to students that passively waiting for a client to call can not be the only revenue stream. Being broadly creative in all things, including marketing and business is the only true way to diversify.
Yes, you were one of the first people I saw talk about this & actively create unconventional outlets for your work.
Really, you were ahead of the curve with things like Legendeer. Retreats & events are such a big ticket item for coaches of any stripe.
(I should know, I’ve written for a few promoting them - copywriting! Creativity applied broadly!)
I’d be interested to hear what the game plan you share with students is these days. You talk about it here, but I mean tactics in addition to strategy.
What I’ve shared for people who ask...
- habituate creativity to handle skill formation (sketchbooks, life drawing, etc. - what you’ve always talked about)
- demystify marketing & sales and get familiar with the basics (copy, promotion, etc.)
- pursue a big project you can monetize (IP)
- try and put an offer in front of your audience as often as possible (prints, originals, books, whatever is on tap)
- own your audience via a newsletter and develop a relationship with those people
Hi Sterling, I have been waiting for this kind of article / write up to drop from you since you began Think Louder. Like you said, I don't think this topic is one that we as creators can sit out on. Ultimately, my thoughts on AI are the following; AI is not inherently evil, but because we live in an often unethical world filled with unethical businesses, governments, and people, it can absolutely turn into a tool of harm as much as it can be a tool to save us. In a perfect world, AI art wouldn't be an issue because all artists wouldn't need to pay for food, rent, and bills. However, we don't live in a perfect world and we are ruled by money, consumerism, commerce. For better or for worse.
I recently reread one of my favorite short stories "I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream" and I feel like that story is more relevant today than it ever was. AM is not an malevolent AI born out of inhuman logic, but rather pure emotion--rage, in particular. Anger at the circumstances that brought it into existence and the fact that it isn't human. Now, I'm not saying Dall-E is going to turn into a Terminator in twenty years, but like you have said, our humanity is our biggest strength, in all our flawed ways. I think this will be the biggest "thing" of today's and upcoming artists. It's definitely up to us to determine the path AI overall will take.
I haven't read the story, but the title speaks volumes. AI is a tool (at the moment- implying that it is a tool for us to use or not use), and it is subject to the whims of people and all of our flaws. The real fear is that it evolves beyond a tool into something more. These are the predictions with the Singularity- that defining moment when our technology becomes sentient. Some speculate this has already happened.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/google-engineer-claims-ai-chatbot-is-sentient-why-that-matters/
The dust isn't event settling and we are searching for our place; our foothold. For now, I respond to the best of my ability. I create, I evolve. I always appreciate your thoughts, Ocean.