Ep 138 Creativity: The Era of Creatives and Copycats: AI’s Impact on Design

Show notes

Hey everyone, and welcome to the 138th episode of The Crazy One Podcast.

I’m your host, Stephen Gates, and this is the show where we talk about creativity, leadership, design, winning, and all the things that matter to creative people.

As always, do me a favor—leave a review, tell a friend, send up a smoke signal or carrier pigeon, whatever works. If this helps you, share it with someone who might need it too.

---

Okay… I Caved. Let’s Talk About AI.

I held out as long as I could. But I finally broke down and decided to do an episode about AI.

Now listen—if you’re here for a deep dive into platforms, tools, workflows, or prompt techniques—I’ve already got that covered in a 45-minute video on my YouTube channel. Head there if you want the nuts and bolts.

Today, I want to talk about AI from a higher level:

• Where’s my head at?

• How is this going to affect the industry?

• What is this moment really telling us about design and creativity?

 

---

 

My Process with Every New Tech: Don’t Be a Sheep

Whenever a new technology hits the scene—AI, NFTs, crypto, desktop publishing, social media—everyone runs toward it blindly. But I don’t.

I do what I’ve always done:

• Try it.

• Break it.

• Form my own opinion.

• Avoid the hype.

 

That’s why I never recommended NFTs or crypto to a single client.

Because I didn’t see value. I saw a fad.

But with AI?

This is different. This is bigger.

And it’s here to stay.

---

Yes, It’s the Wild West—and a Lawyer’s Dream

Is AI messy right now? Absolutely.

There are massive legal and ethical issues—around copyright, commercial usage, trademarks, and more. It’s unregulated, misunderstood, and moving fast.

But we can’t unring the bell.

And that brings us to the thing I want to really talk about:

What this moment reveals about creativity, originality, and value.

---

The Era of Creatives vs. Copycats

Right now, we’re entering a new era—Creatives vs. Copycats.

AI makes it easy for anyone to produce something technically impressive.

But originality? Thoughtfulness? Storytelling? Emotional resonance?

Still rare. Still human. Still essential.

Here’s the pattern I keep seeing:

• Creatives use AI as a tool.

• Copycats use it as a crutch.

 

AI democratizes access to high-quality visuals.

Anyone can make a Muppet version of themselves or a Studio Ghibli dream scene.

It’s fun. It’s fast. It’s viral—for about three days. And then it’s gone.

The novelty fades. The sameness sets in. The creative work endures.

---

The Tool Isn’t the Problem. It’s What You Do With It.

AI is a tool. Nothing more.

Like Photoshop. Like InDesign. Like a pencil.

But if you:

• Don’t read briefs

• Use ChatGPT to summarize everything

• Let Midjourney or Firefly decide your concept…

 

…then you’re not designing. You’re just outputting.

Creativity is about choices, vision, and taste.

AI doesn’t give you those.

Only you do.

---

 

Companies Don’t Value Design—And AI Is Making That Obvious

Here’s the hard truth:

Most companies never truly valued design.

If they can replace:

• A writer with ChatGPT

• A designer with an AI template

• A brand with a knockoff from Pinterest

 

They will.

And that’s not new. It’s just more visible now.

AI is dragging this ugly truth into the light.

---

The Trap on Both Sides

Let’s be clear—there are two traps here:

For companies:

They’ll try to do more with less.

They’ll ship mediocre, soulless, AI-generated garbage—because they think the audience won’t notice. Spoiler: they will.

For creatives:

You’ll be tempted to take shortcuts.

To avoid the hard thinking.

To be comfortable instead of courageous.

But comfort is still the enemy of greatness.

---

The Homogenization Is Already Happening

We’re already seeing it:

• AI-generated imagery is blending into one big aesthetic mush.

• Writing sounds the same.

• Design feels stale.

 

What breaks through now?

Originality. Strategy. Story. Personality.

AI can help you make. But it can’t help you matter.

---

AI Is a Creative Mirror

AI is holding up a mirror to the creative industry—and forcing a reckoning:

• What do you actually do?

• Can you tell a story?

• Do you understand strategy?

• Can you think originally?

 

Because if you can’t—

someone who understands AI and creativity will take your job.

---

Why I’m Leaning In, Not Tapping Out

I’ve seen too many industries wiped out by new tech:

• Print shops and typesetters gone with desktop publishing

• Ad departments flattened by email and digital

• Photographers losing jobs to stock, and now AI

 

This isn’t about whether AI is good or bad.

It’s about whether we’ll adapt, or get left behind.

I’m choosing to adapt.

To engage.

To lead.

Because I believe:

• Curation and taste matter more than ever

• Real-world experiences—concerts, sports, events—will surge

• Creativity will become the thing AI can’t replicate

 

---

My Advice: Try It Yourself

Don’t take my word for it.

Don’t make my opinion your opinion.

Instead:

• Try the tools.

• See what they’re good at.

• See where they suck.

• Form your own POV.

 

Because this is your career.

And this moment belongs to those who explore, experiment, and learn.

---

Design Is Not Dead—But It’s Being Redefined

I’m not here for doom and gloom.

I’m not interested in fear-based headlines that scream “Design is dead!” or “Creativity is over!”

That’s not only lazy—it’s wrong.

Because the people who inspire, invent, and communicate clearly will always be in demand. AI isn’t replacing that. It’s just changing the canvas.

---

Final Thoughts

This moment is what you make of it.

Yes, there’s fear. Yes, there’s uncertainty.

But there’s also opportunity.

If you can:

• Create work that leads, not copies

• Think originally, not generically

• Use AI to accelerate creativity, not replace it—

 

You’ll be fine. Better than fine. You’ll thrive.

If not?

You’re going to blend into the noise. Fast.

So decide:

Are you going to be the creative?

Or the copycat?

---

 

Let me know what you think.

Am I sitting too close to my monitor? Talking to my dog too much? Maybe. But I genuinely want to hear your thoughts.

We need more community, not less.

More conversation, not less.

More people leaning in—not tapping out.

Thanks for listening.

And as always—stay crazy.

Tagged as:
AI and storytel AI impact AI in design AI tools artificial intelligence copycats in design creative process creativity creativity vs AI design industry design thinking digital creativity ethics of AI future of design innovation storytelling