Chris Do on Creative Work: The Design Economy, Remote Work, and Evolving Skill Sets

[@thefutur]

thanks for having me on the show Joey! always good to catch up.

[@TysonBurnham]

Totally appreciate Chris' insights here. He is someone I have a lot of respect for. He is right that the AI take is controversial. I get where he is coming from. I just disagree. I don't think we can talk about AI as a software product that "looks" at or understands what it is seeing. It brings in the code that represents an image and executes a set of complicated and impressive instructions in order to do what it does. Without creative's work being used in it, it wouldn't be impressive enough to talk about. If we learned like AI software, we never would have even started cave paintings, let alone have the art done by artists today. This software is build with the labor of developers and CEOs and marketing teams and money with their consent and some form of compensation. Who did not consent to help bring this software product to it's current stage? Creatives of all kinds. We release our work to the world with the understanding that other people will see it and maybe even copy it, but that is something we have come to accept. We don't release it to the world to have software executives vacuum it up and extract all of the value for themselves. And let's be real, it is valuable to them, otherwise they wouldn't be spending billions on it. Adapting to AI is one thing. Allowing companies to install creative work into their software without proper licensing or consent is a completely different idea all together.

[@Kaz000]

Up to this.

[@akeemmorrison2589]

Well both are literally inevitable so either adjust or sink. There is no universe where we can stop corpos in this country from making money. Not even the Government can stop them

[@jakubjezovic]

Exactly!

[@EdwinTobiasSonic]

@@akeemmorrison2589not with that attitude we won’t

[@EdwinTobiasSonic]

It actually can see give a image to chat gpt it will tell you what it is

[@ryanmassiah]

Listening to Chris never gets old. Excellent talk!

[@jeremytate5957]

This was a hard watch for me to be honest. If everyone can make movies, why would they be valuable anymore? The 2% argument falls flat for me because 98% is enough for most, the only people who care or know the 2% is missing is you and maybe your colleagues. The audience sure doesn't care or ever know. Practically speaking, I also don't see a realistic, sustainable or even stable career path for the less charasmatic mograph dad of 3 by becoming a social media influencer like Emonni. I really like the advice from all the pros and veterans out there and I value it deeply but this video was depressing to hear. It's already difficult enough to do what we do and now to live in uncertainty makes for just more distraction. With this grim outlook on our indusry I can see why both of these guys got out of motion design and started differnt businesses. The truth is, the rise of the content creator/influencer and social media is what's collapsing the entertainment industry and feeding the AI beast. I'll continue to hold onto the hope that companies will still find value in what we do so we can continue to do it. I'm sure 2d artists said the same about us using computers to draw but it sure feels different now. Good luck to you all!

[@DanNoakes]

I agree with you

[@TysonBurnham]

There are quite a few businesses that are wary of using generative AI already. They do not want their product ideas, creative or brand assets out in the wild west of AI data centers. Despite the assurances from corporations that promise not to ingest their work into the software, we all know that if they can do it, they will. They also do not want their brands tainted with AI input or the risk of litigation or reputation in case they make a mistake. Risk aversion is the hallmark of a lot of established brands.

[@FabioPelaezMiguel]

I agree with you

[@eladbari]

I just hope: 1. AI will become a synonym to cheap work (since anyone can do it without real tangible skill- then mostly brands without budgets will use it, hence the synonym). 2. If there's any humanity to the new gens, then maybe there's a chance they would be sick of consuming so much synthetic AI content that they will crave the raw and real But, as you said...not sure they can even notice the difference as their eye isn't that skilled for that...

[@stephenobisanya]

A HUGE thank you to this platform for formulating such clear and step by step questions and for Chris Do for taking the time to outline the most detailed strategy necessary. Invaluable stuff right here. Thank you again!

[@totaltripit]

Very interesting episode. Thank you very much to both of you! However, when it comes to AI technology, I cannot stop wondering why our industry always reacts this way. The VFX industry and motion design industry is always so passive about the issues it runs into. We don't have an union. We often don't get credited for our work and we often are not even allowed to mention the work we made for clients. It is the only industry where people are required to work obscene amount of hours. The actor's guild went on strike against the threat of AI to protect the rights of the writers and now the music industry is taking steps against it too. But we just stand there pretending it's all great and exciting. Why aren't we fighting to protect the work we love so much? Creativity and craftman ship are huge parts of what I love most about humanity. As a creative I LOVE the process and I spend a lot if time learning from the artists that are better than me and who I admire. I cannot get excited about living in a world where there are no more skilled artists/ craftsmen; a world where everything is done by a machine that creates by stealing from all the hard work artists have made in the past. I don't really understand how some people can feel a sense of ownership on AI generated images they created by typing a prompt. In the end the only people who will benefit from generative art are big corporations. We are fools for not defending the work we love making.

[@eladbari]

People support AI cause they're afraid of being left behind. So, they must promote any new tech that comes out. Like NFT... like Instagram Threads... such a huge web of influencers / educators / yoututbers - who will make content on how awesome that new tech is. This is out slavery. No one asks questions on why is it good for us. And yeah, the only people benefitting AI are the Consumer types. Producers don't because AI outsources the process out of them.

[@theloniuspoon]

this is the best talk on this channel so far chris do had answers for literally everything we're having anxiety about as motion designers right now

[@makistony]

I love the channel and I think that there is a lot of good stuff in that conversation but I think that there is a lot of oversimplification also. I think that this whole "Entrepreneur-keep-it-positive" way of thinking might not reflect the reality of the majority of people out there.

[@travishaggerty1430]

Social media for me is the worst. Easily my biggest downfall. I like to post little things I am working on, and personal projects here or there. But I am certainly a more private person. While I may have a point of view on the state of the industry or opinions on AI, I can't seem to get myself to talk about it on social media. Maybe one day I'll be able to break down my cringe wall and just post random stuff constantly. That said, I do like the idea of going and teaching a class at a college.

[@Gobo_Dom]

The ability to write at a high level seems so much more important now. Part of this convo talks about the importance of writing for different audiences. Writing emails for potential clients is an important skill to have but also, writing for yourself or other artist on your team is important skill to have as well too. Imagine having the greatest idea for a pitch but you couldn’t articulate it well enough for it to come out as anything more than a flat sequence of events. Im trying the morning pages to work on expressing myself but I’ll definitely give that “This book will teach you how to write better” a try thank you for sharing your insights!

[@MA_SK_ID]

Just got to the education part - 23:34 as an educational researcher (and designer) standardized education does no one any favours. Surrounding yourself with thinkers is one of the best things you can do. I would add when conversing with those we want to learn from, listen. Personally I get so excited when discussing big ideas my first impulse is to jump in with my thoughts but I miss out a lot by doing that. I started jotting down those ideas to bring up later and the gains were exponential. Do share your ideas but not at the expense of hearing others’.

[@yannjoseph3526]

Love it, thanks guys!

[@andreibacalu15]

Thank you very much to both of you! Very valuable wisdom here. It was the discussion we needed to hear during these times and I'm sure it will continue to be valuable as times go by! 🙏

[@badxstudio]

Been waiting for this one

[@nima.zabihi]

The simple but deep answer of how good or bad is the economy is right on the Chris hat, God is a designer. 🔮

[@DanNoakes]

So we all basically need to make an IP as big as Star Wars. Sounds like all of us are out of a job unless we become AI motion designers in some sort of way.

[@edmungbean]

the mental gymnastics of people, in a 18-month period when multple industries are having no business and higher costs, to avoid the word "recession". If clients are not commissioning and/or guaranteed media spend industries such as TV/broadcast advertising have much lower budgets, the creative industries are in recession.

[@mariacatacora9553]

This was really valuable info! Thank you!!

[@KillWish-Comics]

Really amazing to see chris

[@neutralmultiverse8589]

i appreciate this, in fashion, working in textiles, and most corporate fashion brands copy vintage prints ALL the time. so much that there needs to be a legal team we check in with before putting a print into production to say wether or not its different from the original. mostly all the prints you see in fashion are frankensteined from different types of sources.

[@eladbari]

Whaddya mean by vintage prints? Like oldschool photoshoots? Oldschool garment designs? (can those really be copywrited?)

[@neutralmultiverse8589]

@@eladbari vintage prints menaing like alo of paisleys, hand pinted florals, toiles, --alot of times mass market brands take swatches of these prints and recreate them to apply to their new styles.

[@eladbari]

@@neutralmultiverse8589 Wow, thanks for sharing that. I never knew those were protected in some way from usage of other brands, as I thought these were mostly very old designs. But, on another manner, since you're in the fashion industry, maybe I can out-of-the-blue ask you about where fashion meets photography and design? I mean, in your eyes, what are the pain-points, or stressful aspects you really want to take care of when launching a new collection - that photography and design can help you with? (I'm asking because I believe that people on the photography/videography/design space are not aware of how they can really assist and give you value when, say, you're about to release a new clothing line for spring/summer/whatever.... Whaddya think?

[@jarroddowalter]

Great conversation Joey and Chris - always love your insights on the industry!

[@steventapia_motiondesigner]

Thanks for this interview. I learned a lot!

[@oliviaswiss]

No, no, and no. As usual, Chris Do oversimplifies with his super strong biases. Building several landing pages to fake specialization? is that your secret trick? come on, recruiters stopped advising artists to build their own web pages 6-7 years ago. It's time to stop listening to advice and opinions given by people who are in the business of talking rather than doing. Joey, you can do better; why aren't you interviewing people who are still doing VFX or motion design for a living? AI is a threat because it destroys the value of our work by making it a commodity, just like social media destroyed the value of photography by making it "content". This is industrialization. And no, we don't all like "storytelling" or IP (another common bias). A lot of us just like to use the tools, master our craft, and get paid for it - we don't do this for the business, we do it for the soul. If you like motorbikes, do you want one that is self-driving? I've been in this business for nearly two decades and have had to pivot several times to dodge the tech evolutions; Today, I'm a senior Houdini artist, and my annual revenues are 1/3rd of what they used to be 8 years ago. I hustle from gig to gig with just enough to pay my bills. What we need is INNOVATION IN THE SOFTWARE BUSINESS to do new things and be better than whatever AI comes up with. Adobe, Autodesk, and Maxon are complacent corporations with clunky products that let artists stagnate. When was the last time true innovation was proposed in a render engine? A new visual grammar? Renderman 26 just came out with... a new denoiser! Even Epic Games launched a motion design tool, but nobody is trying to challenge them with a new real-time renderer. I face the hurdles of multi-app workflows every day and could write a book about so many innovations that we are missing in the creative software space. But no, money goes instead to stupid things nobody needs, like AI image generators - because of short-term greed.

[@imiy]

Maybe they are waiting for your book?

[@soyluisrueda]

Are you upset because every time you have had to pivot you failed at it? I believe there is always space for change by developing a growth mindset. I appreciate your comment, however it seems you identify yourself as a victim instead of a player who could help others by creating content about all those very interesting topics and issues you wrote about. Hope the best for you!

[@PrashantSharma-tk2ni]

People build/create softwares what they think will make them money.. Maybe the ideas you are proposing won't make them money so they don't put effort in it.. If you like using the tools but don't like learning business then stay broke and do it for the soul.. People won't pay you for your soul to be satisfied..

[@erice9506]

Writing a book about needed innovations or setting up a KZbin video interviewing professionals talking about new ideas.

[@LD10000]

Good seeing you Chris Do! ACCD GFX 2003

[@aelearn]

bought the Moth. How to tell a story, cool book thx.

[@binyaminbass]

I'm 14 minutes in and I'm super impressed. Chris's answers are really balanced and knowledgeable.

[@_casg]

so cool seeing both of ya'll dialogue. it's like two Titans telling it how it is

[@GregoryHerman]

Choose love❤

[@whoisjules.design]

Gave my solid

[@MA_SK_ID]

If employers want productivity make hiring neurodiverse employees a greater part of the grand plan. Many don’t make it past the traditional interview but the quality of work and innovation you will get if given a chance…. Tech is starting to get it but so much is based on traditional approaches.

[@jdlnameson]

very interesting interview. Opened my eyes on a few subjects. we will have to adapt and it’s good advice to stay positive. But Chris’ ‘solution’ to the lack of jobs problem in the creative industry by turning everyone into sponsored-content-creating-teaching-machines does not make any sense. this is your business and it works for you guys but soon the market will be oversaturated imo. we don’t need 1000 school of motions and we definitely don’t need that many chrisses and the futures 😅

[@eladbari]

Yeah, it seems like the only path suggested is to be some kind of Educator / KZbinr, and it doesn't fit everyone. Also, you give value to your peers, which is great, but at the end we gotta give (also free) value to potential customers....so being an educator feels like preaching to the choir... Aren't there any other strategies...?

[@riccia888]

If you are in your 10th year and still you are not good. Ask yourself are you watching too much Netflix/Schoolism? do you have too much subscription? are you doing the work? are you learning fundamentals?

[@iMuhammadkhalil]

Chris Do better....Always!

[@travishaggerty1430]

High end advertising you would see on TV that costs 100k to produce.

[@imiy]

54:14 but no one will buy it because anyone can do it themselves with few clicks

[@rebekahj8662]

Straight out the gate this guy doesn’t know what he is talking about. Productivity is lower? Citation needed for that bold claim. What a load of bollocks. Corporations are becoming greedier, the US population is struggling to afford groceries and other essentials. The economy is tanking. No one is spending on non essential products and entertainment therefore there is less work for artists. It’s not that hard to figure out.

[@berhanutesfaye8786]

cool title " what would chris do?"

[@clarecomments]

A lot of good insights, so thanks for that :) However, (as others have noted) the end take on AI, saying that it's nothing more than what we have already been doing for ages i.e. "copying ideas" is inaccurate, myopic thinking. Firstly, real creators do not actually copy ... they use parts of something, or combinations and reinvent. Otherwise it would be stolen intellectual property or copyright infringement. So, there is originality and ownership. Or, you need to credit the source. AI, however, can just copy a style or theme if it is public and if it is instructed to do so. Secondly, AI can do everything at scale and much faster than humans. So, the one intern or junior you mention, is now multiplied by a zillion and a trillion times faster. It is not the same. But hey, we'll be in a world with nothing new, endless trash content, brainless youth and some psychotic AI Billionaires. So, all good.

[@eladbari]

If location doesn't matter and motion designers can work remotely - Rhen "Boston Motion Designer" is not really a thing anymore. So, which 3 keywords are relevant to 2024? And without you writing articles about yourself....?

[@kamazooliy]

So out of touch.

[@jtstudios9443]

i want dat hat

[@alazturkmen3945]

First I liked it and then I listened