Lately, I’ve been asked more and more: how do we integrate AI into our creative work? Will AI replace creative roles? Is the design industry under threat? My answer is simple—I embrace this technology with joy and excitement, finding ways to incorporate it into the design process rather than replace anything or anyone. Just as the digital era introduced tools like Photoshop and digital photography—enhancing creativity and giving rise to new artistic genres—AI offers a new set of possibilities that, when used wisely, can enrich rather than diminish our creative work.

The integration of AI into design is often met with scepticism, particularly from those who fear it stifles creativity. However, my recent experience using image-generating software for a project in Battersea proves the opposite—AI, when used thoughtfully, can be a powerful creative tool rather than a creator in itself.

For this project, I worked closely with image-generating software to develop custom imagery that would form the foundation of unique, meaningful artwork. The process was incredibly engaging—prompting the software with descriptions inspired by our design schemes and surrounding Battersea landmarks, feeding it with textures, colours, and mood references to see how it would reinterpret the essence of the space. It felt like a conversation between designer and algorithm, a back-and-forth exploration of possibilities rather than a simple output from a machine.

A key idea behind the artwork was to create pieces that would almost mirror the views from the windows, reimagined into abstract compositions that reflected the surrounding cityscape in a new way. This approach tied the interior to its external environment, making the artwork feel like an extension of the space rather than an isolated decorative element.

What made this so exciting was the ability to craft something deeply connected to the environment, pulling in visual elements that spoke directly to the project’s location and narrative. The AI-generated images weren’t the final pieces but rather the starting point—a conceptual springboard that artists then took further. Once we had a collection of compelling compositions, they were refined, edited, and ultimately transformed into hand-painted artworks, giving them a layer of human expression and craftsmanship that AI alone could never achieve.

The result? Unique, site-specific art with a story and identity—pieces that resonated with the project’s aesthetic and surroundings yet carried the distinct touch of the artists who interpreted them. This collaboration between AI, designer, and artist exemplifies how technology can enhance creativity rather than diminish it. Instead of replacing the human element, AI acted as a catalyst, offering new perspectives and unexpected directions that enriched the artistic process.

Far from being a shortcut, this approach required deep engagement and refinement. It was a reminder that innovation in design doesn’t come from resisting new tools but from embracing them with intention and artistry. AI is not the creator—it is an instrument, and in the right hands, it can lead to truly remarkable results.

Written by Alexandra Jurkiewicz