The Case for the Human Hand

It’s a wild time to be alive for so many different reasons, depending on where or who you are in the world. But I think the one globally shared uncertainty at the moment is AI. Everyone seems to have some level of fear about its rapid rise, and no one really seems to know what to do or how our future looks. Myself included (obviously). But I do have my own theories (mostly unfounded and purely based on wishful thinking but here they are)...

Throughout history, periods of great change have often been followed by cultural whiplash. The birth of Naturalism as a reaction to Romanticism. The Roaring Twenties as a reaction to the rigid Edwardian era. Dadaism as a rejection of the establishment and the "rational" society that had created the horrors of trench warfare during World War I.

I believe we're in a similarly pivotal moment, and with it will come another major reaction. I can't speak to the timeline, but I think that as art and design move toward the increasingly digital and polished nature of AI, there will be a renewed appreciation for the opposite: evidence of the human hand. Human error. Things that remind us we're living beings. I believe organic, imperfect work created by hand will once again be deeply valued, and there will always be brands seeking it out to stand apart in the market. I just think that demand will become even stronger in the years to come.

While I plan to stay up to date with AI—like any other skill worth learning to remain relevant—I also plan to invest a huge amount of energy into my art practice. I think that will become an increasingly valuable skill in itself.

And maybe I'll get it wrong. Maybe I'll throw those balls up in the air and they'll never land. But I have to believe they will.

Career choices always come with risk, and that can be incredibly anxiety-inducing, especially when you're well entrenched in freelancing and wake up each day with that familiar gnawing uncertainty. But I also feel like choosing this kind of career was already a big risk. Living as a creative has always been uncertain, but I'm willing to bet it's going to continue being worth it.

Alongside strengthening our art skills, I think it's important to find our own hand—our own aesthetic—and embrace what makes us unique as designers. Most textile and print designers have learned to be versatile throughout their careers, and many have mastered that. But in doing so, I think our individuality has often been neglected.

What is it that makes your work different?

If you don't know, maybe it's worth finding out. Spend a little time each day creating simply for the sake of creating. See what emerges and what it makes you feel. Artists create constantly. They evolve their style over time, discovering what resonates most deeply and what they truly want to put out into the world. To me, design is no different, in any of its forms, even if it's appealing to a commercial fashion market. 

Maybe you’re not a painter or drawer and really only feel safe in Procreate. I’m definitely not discounting the value in digitally created artwork but I think even these people can find ways to make their work stand out from the sea of digitally painted prints in the commercial market. Asking yourself with every print you design - does this have a point of interest? Does it have something unique about it? 

Quick commercial work might bring in quick money, but is it worth investing more time and care into creating work that offers something beyond that? Maybe not for everyone. But for me, I think it is (provided I don’t completely run out of money in the process and have to move back in with my parents in rural QLD at the age of 37).

I also think that constantly feeding yourself inspiration is just as important. Go out into nature. Research artists, vintage prints, architecture, photography, street style, branding, signage—everything can be a source of inspiration, not just what's on the runways. Keep your eyes open and be ready to take note.

I truly believe our work will continue to improve the more we do this. It will evolve into something more unique, more personal, and ultimately more impactful. Because in the end, we're creating FOR humans—living beings with minds that appreciate all kinds of visual experiences—not bots.