Craft and Creativity in the Age of AI

In an era where AI is revolutionizing the way we approach art and design, this event will explore the enduring significance of the human element in the creative process. Through case studies, reflections and dynamic storytelling, three accomplished illustrators will discuss their creative work, the evolution of their styles and how they maintain authenticity with each of their unique creations. Join us for a thought-provoking exploration that reaffirms the enduring value of the human touch in the digital age.
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Speakers
Mick Champayne
Mick Champayne is a Chicago-based designer by day and an illustrator by night. In a nutshell, she loves internet culture, navel-gazing about the future, and imagining how designers can support people’s values and intentions. Currently a Senior Visual Designer at Google, she likes to create solutions that have beauty AND brains: making things look beautiful with smart strategy and a thoughtful user experience. From light-hearted memes to serious social commentary, she’s happiest when her work can spark a conversation.
Instagram / Website

Keenan Wells
Keenan Wells is an artist and designer living in Chicago, IL. In addition to his studio practice, Keenan enjoys baseball and hanging out with his wife Sylvie, and sons Sammy and Malcolm, and his dog Lulu. He also makes pixel art under the project name Pixel Hall of Fame where he has done multiple national projects for the likes of Nike and ESPN.
Instagram / Website

Tommy Siegel
Tommy Siegel is a world-renowned musician and artist. As the lead guitarist for the power pop trio Jukebox The Ghost, Tommy has toured internationally and appeared on leading late-night television programs like Letterman and Conan. In 2018, he began a challenge to draw a cartoon every day for 500 days, which attracted hundreds of thousands of followers across social media and spawned two books published by Andrews McMeel, “I Hope This Helps: Comics and Cures for 21st Century Panic” (2020) and Candy Hearts” (2021). More recently, Tommy is a regular New Yorker cartoonist, animator, and creator of the popular Extremely Accurate Birds calendar, featuring illustrations of backyard birds, drawn with full attention to anatomical detail.
Instagram / Website

Host
Casey Hudetz
Casey Hudetz is a designer, speaker, teacher and award-winning filmmaker living in Chicago. Since receiving his master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction he has been designing digital products and services with a focus on emerging technologies (such as AI, AR, and Voice). Over the last decade, he has given talks around the world about artificial intelligence, speculative design, art history and more. He is currently part of the AI and design team for DocuSign. In his spare time, you can find him biking around the city with his wife and two sons.

LinkedIn / Website