Design ➡️ Strategy

21 April 2024 | Issue #44

In this issue:

Is strategy the death of design?
Can we have ethical AI?
Which states use AI the most
AI prompts: The book
Adobe Premiere Pro adding genAI capabilities
How to set up your own Discord server for Midjourney
Find inspiration in Cleveland

**Prompt**: a strategist leading a design session. --ar 16:9 (it was black and white, then I added the color in Photoshop)

"Strategy" can be a tricky word. It means different things to different people. For some, it sets the direction that teams follow. There are some strategists who are just big-picture thinkers, but they don't want get their hands dirty and do any of the actual detail work.

Strategy in the design world is becoming more popular for multiple reasons.

For businesses, incorporating design thinking into overall strategy is important because it puts the customer at the center of product strategy (if you're familiar with Pragmatic, you'll see a lot of similarities). Some product teams just want to build cool stuff. Successful businesses build products their customers want and/or need.

For individuals, positioning themselves as strategists helps make them more indispensable. They're able to add more perceived value than design on its own.

“We know when the economy tanks, branding, marketing, communications are some of the first things to go for some organizations. Strategy is a way to add value and assurance that the work has a strong, well-researched set of ideas behind it.” – Sarah Hromack, design strategist

Right now, design usually some level of execution. There is obviously thinking that goes into design, but because there is a tangible deliverable, designers are seen as do-ers.

Strategists are seen as thinkers, and are paid well because of it.

Designers are already doing the thinking behind brand and creativity. The difference is that many don't explain or document that thinking. That's where strategy comes in.

“Strategy is the articulating, in a very clear way, of a stance that is projected to the public. It says what a brand is about and what it isn’t.” Michael Rock, cofounder and creative director at 2 x 4

Being able to articulate your design thinking, and the role it plays in a business, makes you more valuable. Designers who don't speak up and illustrate their value will continue to be seen as doing execution-level jobs. And these are the jobs that are at risk of being displaced by AI.

Want to learn more about the role of strategy in design? Read this Fast Company article.

NEWS AT THE INTERSECTION OF MARKETING, DESIGN, & AI

👨🏻‍🏫 Recovering the Common Good for Ethical AI Design

The article delves into how AI design can and should center around the common good, highlighting the immense potential of ethical considerations to transform technology. This lengthy article is interesting as it integrates ethical foresight into the core of innovation, ensuring technology serves humanity broadly and benevolently.

Integration of values: Designing AI with ethical frameworks that align with human dignity and societal well-being.
Promoting justice: Ensuring AI development benefits all segments of society equitably.

Keep reading

🌎 Which States Depend on AI the Least and Most

Understanding regional AI dependency is key for marketers as it helps tailor technological solutions to the varying needs across different states. This perspective can significantly enhance how responsive and suitable these innovations are to local markets and cultures.

Varied AI reliance: Some states are significantly more reliant on AI technologies than others.
Impact on strategy: The article digs into the main industries in the top and bottom states and tries to discern who is using AI.

Keep reading

📖 Spells: A Compendium of AI Prompts to Enhance Generative Art

This article introduces "Spells," a physical book by RAM Studio and Max Kuwertz, designed to empower designers with powerful AI prompts that enhance the creation of generative art. For designers, this means a treasure trove of inspirations and methodologies that can elevate their creative projects.

Comprehensive collection: Features 250 prompts across various creative fields.
Learning and collaboration: Aids in skill enhancement and encourages connections among artists.
I'm not sure if I'd pay £59 + shipping for a book of AI prompts, but it looks nice.

Keep reading

NEW RESOURCES FOR YOU

Adobe Premiere Pro to add Sora and other video AI tools

This is BIG news for anyone who works in video editing.

Drawing on technology from OpenAI’s Sora, Pika, and Runway, Adobe Premiere Pro will allow you to use generative AI video tools to enhance your videos.

Need a scene to last a beat or two longer? Just extend your footage and let the AI fill in the gaps.

Is there a sign in the background of a shot you don't want? Or an element you want to add? It's now easy to add or subtract parts of the video. It's the same as how Firefly technology in Photoshop can auto fill areas.

Even if you don't play with video editing, I suggest watching this three-minute video to see what's possible.

One of the biggest hurdles to generating your own AI images is the technology. Dall-E is pretty easy to use if you have ChatGPT, but it doesn't give you options.

If you're looking to use Midjourney, but don't know how to navigate Discord, I recommend this guide to walk you through the steps.

The Content Entrepreneur at CEX

In a few weeks, many of the authors from the new book, The Content Entrepreneur, will be attending the third Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX).

I attended the first two CEXs and I not only learned a lot, but I got to make some great contacts and friends.

If you're looking to spend a few days in lovely Cleveland, OH in early May, or you just want to watch the videos after the fact, use my code DESIGN100 to get $100 of the cost.

After Design is a media partner for the event! In fact, the entire idea for After Design was born at last year's CEX.

There is so much creativity in the air, it would be impossible to walk away without some sort of inspiration.

Learn more