Chat GPT and Art: How I Use AI in My Creative Process (Without Losing My Soul)

Expanding on my previous post about the unlikely sidekick that is Artificial Intelligence - AI in art and design is a weird, ever-evolving thing. Some people swear by it, some fear it’ll replace creative jobs, and others just ignore it entirely. For me, AI is neither a crutch nor a threat—it’s a tool. The way I use AI isn’t about taking shortcuts or generating work at the push of a button. Instead, I see it as a creative assistant that helps me streamline research, organize ideas, and optimize my workflow—all while keeping the actual art-making in my hands.

 Here’s some gpt tips for you- how I integrate AI into my creative process without letting it override my artistic identity-

 1. Concept Development & Brainstorming

One of the biggest struggles in creative work is that blank page moment—when ideas are floating around but won’t quite settle into something actionable. AI helps me structure those early thoughts by refining themes, generating prompts, and organizing aesthetic directions. Whether I’m working on a concert poster, a merch design, or a branding project, I use AI to explore different angles before committing to a concept.

 It’s not about letting AI decide for me—it’s about speeding up my mental process so I can focus more on making, less on second-guessing. The ability to offload logistical mental space has been crucial to getting my creative flow more consistent.

2. Research & Inspiration Without the Rabbit Holes

I love digging into design history, typography trends, and visual storytelling, but research can become a black hole and timesuck if I am not already hyperfocused on something. AI helps me cut through the noise by giving me quick overviews of styles, movements, and artist aesthetics so I can absorb what I need without losing hours to research loops.

If I’m designing for a band, for example, I might use AI to summarize their existing visual identity, pull references to similar artists, or even suggest typography styles that match their sound. It’s like having a research assistant that keeps me from overcomplicating things.

From there, it’s taking the base level of information I get as a jumping off point for further research. For example, with my Detour Wichita series, I am focusing not only on the visual aesthetics, but I am interested in accurate historical details for the posters I am making. Using GPT to determine average ticket prices, various websites to sift through on potential vintage merch for visual inspiration, or a snap shot of pop culture I can use as a basis for theme design has been incredibly helpful with finding a direction quicly.

 3. SEO & Content Strategy (Because the Internet Matters)

As much as I’d love for my work to just speak for itself, I know that discoverability matters—especially online. AI helps me structure SEO-rich blog posts, social media descriptions, and metadata so that my work actually shows up when people are looking for it.

 I use AI to:

• Optimize my blog titles and keywords for better visibility.

• Format content in a way that’s easier to read and index.

• Find better phrasing for things I struggle to word concisely.

It’s not about writing for an algorithm—it’s about making sure the work I put time into actually reaches people.

 4. Productivity & Workflow Optimization

I juggle a full-time job, freelance projects, and personal creative work, which means time management is something I have had to get good at. In fact, time management is everything with the direction I am trying to take my art towards Chat GPT helps me set structured timelines, automate reminders, and break down projects into manageable steps.

 I use it to:

• Create better pricing structures for my freelance work. Prompting to get average price points for anything within a specific theme or region is really helpful. The last thing I want to do is price myself in a way that reads like I don’t value my own work or think to highly of my skillset

• Establish project boundaries so I don’t overcommit. Hashing out my stream of consciousness in a converstation style chat has helped me figure out what actually energizes me.

• Streamline client communication without getting lost in email chains. As a creative writer, my default is to get overly wordy when that isn’t always necessary. Especially when dealing with clients effectively.

Having AI assist with the business side of things frees up more space for me to focus on the creative side.

 5. AI-Assisted Experimentation (Not AI Art)

 I want to be clear: AI doesn’t make art—I do. What I do use AI for is testing ideas quickly. Sometimes, I’ll input a rough prompt to see how AI visualizes a concept, and that might spark a different approach I wouldn’t have thought of. Other times, I use AI for color palette suggestions, composition layouts, or brainstorming textures.

It’s like using a digital sketchbook to explore ideas—but at the end of the day, the final work is always my own.

6. Strategic Marketing & Audience Engagement

Social media is a necessary evil, and AI helps me make it a little less painful. I use it to:

• Structure Instagram captions that don’t feel forced.

• Test different ways to phrase posts for engagement.

• Plan content so I’m not scrambling to post last-minute.

I’m still figuring out the best ways to balance authenticity with strategy, but AI at least helps take some of the guesswork out of it.

7. Ethical & Critical Thinking About AI in Art

There’s a lot of debate about AI in creative industries, and I get it—there are valid concerns about originality, plagiarism, and automation replacing human jobs. That’s why I’m intentional about how I use AI.

For me, AI isn’t a replacement for creative work—it’s a tool that helps me work smarter, stay organized (where are my neurodivergent folks at??), and refine my ideas faster. I’m still drawing, illustrating, and designing by hand, and I’ll always believe that the best art comes from real human expression.

Final Thoughts: Use AI as an Assistant, Not an Artist

I think the key to using AI without losing your creative identity is knowing where to draw the line. AI helps me structure, research, and optimize, but it doesn’t define my work. The heart of what I do—the weird ideas, the hands-on design process, the little imperfections that make things feel real—will always come from me.

AI can be a powerful tool, but it’s just that—a tool.

It’s up to us as creatives to make sure we’re still the ones calling the shots.

While you’re here, take a look around, see what catches your eye.

If you think we’d make something cool together, let’s talk.

Or, if you just want to browse check out my creative portfolio.