Creativity, Design & AI

Synergy across authenticity and genAI

Last year, I had moved back to SF on May 1st and was by myself for my birthday (5/21) and I made a wish. And this year, I am feeling loved and cherished with mi gente in lovely San Francisco.

I got to be with my creative community and explore the world of creativity, design and AI at the Upscale conference on May 20-21 at the SF Jazz ❣️

Thanks ADPList for the opportunity 🤗
adplist.org

Upscale conf is for creatives, innovators and curious minds!
upscaleconf.com

Sharing my aha moments with y’all.

A beautiful start to the day with this lovely reminder and sign at the Muni train station - Smile San Francisco!

+ Wonderful healthy food, turmeric chai and company :)

Pixelpusher ❣️ the visual imagery blend through SF Jazz + techno music

Here are the key things that resonated with me. Here is Google Gemini AI summarizing my highlights from my notes and ideas… truly human assisted AI :)

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AI as a Creative Partner

Folks talked about AI as a "sparring partner" for creativity. It’s not about AI replacing our work, but about it freeing and sparking creative thinking. Instead of just producing more, we can use AI to explore more and find those "fun" discoveries.

Think of it like this: AI handles the heavy lifting, so we can get to the cool, creative stuff. Henry Daubrez really hit this home, showing how AI helps bring stories to life for cancer patients – adding real meaning where time is of the essence.

• If we could do anything what would we do?
  
  Work with people we want to work with, support each other to achieve goals together and do good creative work!
  ❤️ Love what you do ❤️

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Democratizing Design

The big idea from Google Cloud AI's Tomas Moreno was "democratizing creativity". With generative AI, making video, music, or voice-over is becoming easier for everyone. This means more folks can bring creative ideas to life, which is exciting.

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Curiosity and Reflection

Even with all the tech, the human side was a huge focus. Linus Ekenstam and Julie Zhuo talked about being vulnerable and present, and how important feedback is in design leadership.

It's not just about what we make, but how we do it and how we feel.
And a big one for me: don't let small issues build up; address them head-on.

• Hit send now and don’t wait for small things to grow into resentment.

• Don't see conflict as a bad thing.
  

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Embracing the "Weird" and the Future

Claudio Guglieri urged us to "get weird" with AI. He sees AI as the "engine," and we are the "drivers".

This means moving from a place of "creative scarcity" to "creative abundance". It’s about using AI to push boundaries and find new ways to create.

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My Authentic Voice in the AI Age

A big question that kept coming up, and one I think about a lot, is: "How do we ensure our artistic voice and authenticity isn't lost... when you collaborate with AI?" It's a valid concern.

My takeaway is that AI is a tool to amplify my unique style, not dilute it. It's about clear direction and knowing what I want to achieve.

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Finding Joy

Finally, a quote from Jony Ive resonated: "In our industry, joy has been missing."

This resonated deeply. All tech and innovation is great, but ultimately, it should help us rediscover the pure fun and excitement of creating.

Find your inner child who is curious and in awe with the miracles of the world.

Wondering, what were the 2 days like?

We will go from the end to the beginning with photos and notes - are you ready?
Here is my snapshot. What did I miss?

Day 2 - May 21, 2025

• Henry Daubrez
  Coming of A(I)GE
  

  

  
  Stories coming to life through AI artistry for cancer patients added meaning

• A quest to find your spark ❣️
  Heart, story and visuals - find the right balance

  

• Tomas Moreno
  Google cloud AI
  
  Democratize creativity with gen AI
  Video, music, voice over...
  

  

• Brooke Hopper, David Montero, Stefanie Hutka

  • AI as a sparring partner and support storytelling and communication

  • Expectations have been raised by leaders.. speed of production va time to explore..
    .. churn quickly.. in design we need to sit with it
    .. use the free time with using AI to explore creativity not just produce more

  • Serendipitous discovery - fun and weird

  • vibe coding, prototyping are helpful to test ideas

  • using spell check is AI
    

• Bradley G Munkwotiz (Gmunk)

  

  
  

• Linus Ekenstam & Julie Zhuo

  

  
  

  • Leadership myth: you don't need to know all the answers

  • self awareness and perception - ask for feedback
    - give feedback with intention

  • lead with vulnerability
    - be in a place of understanding
    

  • be present fully in the moment
    - focus on how we do things and feel
    

  • be open and honest.
    Hit send now and don’t wait for small things to grow into resentment.
    Don't see conflict as a bad thing.
    
    If we could do anything what would we do?
    
    Work with people we want to work with, support each other to achieve goals together and do good creative work! Love what you do ❤️
    

• John Maeda, Design Microsoft
  Design report 2025

  • Thinking is like 2 blades of scissor - cognition & context

Day 1 - May 20, 2025

• Andrea Trabucco Campos
  Pentagram
  
  In order to meaningfully contribute something new, you must first understand where things came from.

  

  • Creativity is driven by mistakes

  • Creativity and colors in typography

  • New tools, same creative process

    

    
    

    

• Lightricks Corbett Drummey
  Generative AI will produce 30% world content by 2027 - Gartner

  

• Claudio Guglieri
  Photography | Music | Art
  It's time to get weird

  

• Breakthrough creates new opportunities
  AI is the engine. We are the drivers

• Kathryn Han, Meta AI
  From canvas to camera
  From creative scarcity to creative abundance

  

  Meta AI n Creativity 🤔

  Wait ... is this still me?

  • We got to test Meta AI in Instagram app - first the interface was different to find the option.

  • and this top photo is not me… that’s a failed test in my view. How do you go from my short haircut to invent your own hair style after 3 attempts?

  • and Meta AI missed the ask of the prompt - it was floral garden and ranunculus pastel colors. Not a vase of random flowers in a park..

    

• When Anything Is Possible, What's Worth Creating?
  
  SOFÍA LÓPEZ MARTÍN + JESÚS TERRADA
  Freepik

  

  • Artistic Identity - Your Voice in the Age of Al

    • Beyond Style: If Al can mimic any artist's style on demand, what defines your artistic identity or signature?

    • Finding Your Voice: Your identity comes from your ideas. themes, and the choices you make

    • Evolving Roles: Are we becoming curators or directors of Al outputs, and how does that change our creative self-image?

      
      

  • Love this Question:
    How do you ensure your artistic voice isn't lost or overshadowed when you collaborate with AI?

    

    

    
    

• Ben Barry nonlinear
  OpenAI logo design

  

  
  OpenAI design
  Human and flower bloom - love it ❤️

• Leonardo de la Rocha
  
  Top genAI use cases
  #1 in 2025 - therapy and companionship

  

• John Maeda | Rachel Kobets | Mustafa Suleyman

  

• Chad Nelson OpenAI

  

  
  Simulated memories
  
  Fantasia Magic and Animation ✨
  I ❣️ Walt Disney
  

  

  In our industry, joy is missing - Jony Ive

  

• Joaquin Cuenca Abela
  Help anyone create great design faster
  Freepik

  

The End … (rolling credits…)