Camera Obscura: How AI Is Allowing Creatives to Work Smarter and Not Harder with Patience Lekien

Patience Lekien is a production designer and maker at Minneapolis-based advertising and branding agency MONO, where he puts visual storytelling at the forefront of each account he works on. Patience uses his artistry to elevate brand identities, web designs, illustrations, photography, motion graphics, visual design, and writing. Patience has an impressive track record of working with blue-chip companies like Google, Netflix, PBS, Target, and more. As an Afrofuturist, Patience uses his voice to spread positive messages regarding the connections between Africa and America. Combining the power of the creative mind and fantasy, Patience aims to push new and unique Black narratives through visual storytelling.

LBB> What is your niche craft obsession?

Patience> My niche craft obsession is finding innovative ways to work smarter, not harder. This often takes the form of learning a new and up-and-coming technology to help leverage my craft and process. Right now, I am super focused on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and what that means for creatives like myself.

LBB> Was it an obsession straight away or something that has evolved over the years?

Patience> I’ve been obsessed with making things from a very young age, and I’ve always liked finding creative ways to birth my imagination. I loved making dioramas in school. In the third grade, my teacher told me how much they loved lighthouses, so I built them a model lighthouse using cardboard and an empty toilet paper roll.

LBB> Where/ when/ how did you first come across this thing?

Patience> The obsession with finding better, quicker, and more accessible ways to create started later when I realised that I did not have the money to constantly restock art supplies like paint, canvases, and brushes. So I spent three years saving up money to buy Photoshop thinking this one tool could set me on the path to continue creating without needing to replenish supplies.

LBB> What are the most interesting debates or conversations you are having around this obsession?

Patience> Right now, the debates over working smarter, not harder, all centre around artificial intelligence (AI). The emergence of OpenAI, Midjourney, ChatGPT, and other tools has people talking about the role of AI in the creative process. We have found that AI can aid in the process by providing inspiration and generating new ideas. I’m excited about incorporating AI into my work, but I know some of my colleagues are concerned that it will take jobs.

LBB> How widespread do you think this obsession is with your peers?

Patience> I don’t know how many of my peers are obsessed with finding new ways to work smarter, but I do think there is widespread interest in how we use AI and what the industry will look like when AI is fully incorporated. I know many copywriters, illustrators, and designers feel a sense of competition with AI. While I understand the fear that some people may be displaced at work, I think AI will force creatives to develop new skills to stay relevant and keep finding ways to weave human nuances into our work. Creatives in the industry are also obsessing about the ethical implications surrounding AI content, as concerns for intellectual property ownership are a real threat.

LBB> Can you share any examples of work where that obsession really came to the fore and elevated the final production?

Patience> I am currently working on a pitch for an animated film incorporating AI across all visual developments. The general focus of my film is to retell the story of my familial lineage and ancestry through African fantasy and mythology. For this project, AI has really helped me connect my ideas by generating worlds and characters. I have simplified the work by including AI technology so viewers can understand complex ideas easily.

LBB> What advice would you share for anyone just getting into your field to help them reach their head around this particular thing?

Patience> Stay on top of the trend to become proficient in all of AI’s capabilities. I typically do this by monitoring social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Another tip for young talent is to focus on developing human touch skills that AI can’t replace. With your creativity and AI technology, creatives and stakeholders can embrace collaboration and see how the work is elevated to the next level. My final yet most crucial advice is always to be connected with your passion. Passion is the drive that allows us to dig deep within ourselves to discover new ways to keep that passion alive. So, always stay creating, even if it’s not for work.