AI Won’t Take My Job But it will Change it
In my job, I use tools like MidJourney and ChatGPT which speed up my workflow immensely. The benefit of this is that it allows me to focus on the more exciting conceptual side of my job - the stuff I actually like.
I primarily use MidJourney, particularly in the early stages of a project in the sketching and concepting stage. When I’m planning a photoshoot, for example, I can generate images that closely resemble what I want to capture in real life. This makes my work process so much more efficient. It’s also really useful for lighting references, coloured backgrounds, and general mood boards. Instead of sifting through endless stock images or spending hours drafting ideas, I can input prompts and get high-quality references instantly. So it saves me a lot of time on that front.
Then more generally, I use ChatGPT to draft emails, write introductions in presentations and even name options for projects. Basically it helps channel the more practical side of my brain, which allows me to stay in the creative flow and let go of the more administrative tasks.
Personally, I’m not worried about the advancement of AI\ it rendering my creativity redundant. To use MidJourney effectively, you still need a creative brain. Knowing how to craft the right prompts, interpret the results, and refine the output is a skill in itself. AI is just a tool, and like any tool, its effectiveness depends on the user.
Right now, I would say I’m not stressed about AI replacing me as a designer. Mainly because I can’t see it doing anything without someone on the other side, or at least creating anything that’s near the same standard as a designer. Instead, I think it helps to enhance people’s work.
For instance, if I need a mock-up of a booth for an art fair, I can pull references that match the style and structure I’m envisioning. I then combine them in MidJourney, refining the output until I land on something that aligns with my vision. That iteration process takes time, but it’s also where the magic happens, sometimes blending two unexpected images leads to something I never would have thought of on my own. Once I have an image I’m happy with, I bring it into Photoshop for manual tweaks, adding or removing design elements to make it truly mine. The entire process is faster, but it still requires creative direction.
The main reason it excites me is that it frees up space for more projects, whilst still allowing me to do the part I enjoy most. It still needs my creative brain for creative exploration but it allows me to be using it for longer and not needing to divert it to the more mundane tasks.
That said, there are still areas where I’d love more clarity, especially around licensing and copyright. This feels like a particular grey area, for example, if you create something that resembles a specific artist’s work, what are the legal implications? AI is advancing rapidly, and these are the kinds of questions we need to navigate as creative professionals. I have to admit I’m not clued up on this.
At the end of the day, I see AI as an assistant rather than a replacement. It’s here to make life easier, help us work smarter, and push creative boundaries. And honestly? I’m excited to see where it takes us next.
