The Tamesis
Fashion educators also say that when students choose to use AI in their creative practices, brands are already taking notice — and in some cases commissioning visual work — of those who are seen to be experimenting with new technologies, critically and thoughtfully.
“A lot of our students are doing really interesting things, building their own GANs [generative adversarial network, a type of image-generating machine learning system]and feed it with their own visuals (such as photography),” Louca said. “What’s really exciting is that the AI doesn’t spit out the final design, but rather shows you patterns that exist in your own practice that you might not have realized existed. So it gives them a friction point to stand back and think: ‘Okay, interesting, this design is great. But now I need to step in and make that pocket really work. “
Experts say that for those applying for more creative roles, such as design and fashion films, it pays to be able to talk about every step that led to your results or applications of artificial intelligence.
“If AI tools are suitable for showcasing your models and ideas, use them,” says Thompson. “But, in terms of interviews, portfolios and websites, we’re seeing things evolving towards a real focus on process.” Being able to talk about the visual research and analysis that led you to the final image or design is what’s most important, he advises.
“In the end, the results are great, but employers want to see if you can redo it if the technology fails, or you’re in a space that requires more thinking. We talk a lot about helicopter pitches — being able to talk about yourself out loud and in writing. So, that’s who I am, that’s what I do, that’s my approach and my process,” she said.
Knowledge is more easily accessible through AI search, and emphasizing your awareness of the big picture is key. “To be employable, you still need to have a good understanding of the entire fashion system,” says Lois Baile, acting course leader at LCF’s Fashion MBA. “Knowledge is a commodity now, but you still have to have a basic understanding to know if something is wrong or just junk.”
Read the room and sell yourself
This ability to zoom out and understand how AI fits into the bigger picture also applies once you’re in an organization, where career counselors say that if communicated humbly, AI knowledge will provide huge opportunities for advancement. While students are advised to explain their practice with strong views on artificial intelligence and its applications, career experts stress the value of taking the time to understand the nuances of the business you’re working for before advising on how to introduce the technology.
“You have to learn the business first,” says Karen Harvey, CEO and founder of Karen Harvey Consulting, a luxury consulting firm that helps with talent placement. Harvey stressed that the adoption of AI by luxury brands in particular may be much slower than young people expect, as their creatives are particularly concerned about their work being diluted. “I think one of the main skills we need to learn as we go into our careers is this: reading the room,” she said. “It’s all about the right person, the right place, the right time, the right amount.”
