thoughts for the Day

There's a unique breed of professionals who more often than not find themselves at the intersection of art and code, design and development—creative technologists. As someone who has spent a few years now, navigating this dual-path career, I often find myself torn between two worlds that, while complementary, can sometimes feel at odds with each other. This blog post is a reflection on my journey, the challenges I've faced, the opportunities I've discovered along the way, and the exciting role that AI could play in this space.

The Dual Nature of Creative Technologists

When I first started out, I was often asked, "Are you a marketing professional, or a developer?" The question always felt limiting, as I had opened up my world learning, exploring and practicing both sides. So I struggled  to choose one identity over the other. But as a creative technologist, my passion lies in both—the artistry of design and the logic of development. My role is to bring these two aspects together to create digital experiences that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and emotionally engaging.

The tension between creativity and functionality is real. On the one hand, there’s the creative side, where ideas flow freely, unrestricted by the constraints of code or technical limitations. On the other hand, there’s the technical side, where precision and structure are key. I believe finding the balance between these two is the essence of what it means to be a creative technologist.

Bridging the Gap: Skills, Tools, and AI

For those of us who want to excel as creative technologists, it’s essential to continually develop both creative and technical skills.  It makes such a difference to  find tools that bridge the gap between design and development, allowing us to think both like an artist and an engineer.

But now, there's a new player in the game—Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is rapidly changing the landscape of digital creativity and development, providing new tools that can assist in everything from generating design ideas to automating code. For example, AI-driven design tools like DALL-E and Midjourney are revolutionizing the way we create visual content, offering endless possibilities that were previously unimaginable. On the development side, AI-driven code generators like GitHub Copilot are making it easier for non-developers to bring their creative ideas to life by generating code based on natural language descriptions. It's all relatively new, as we process, highly unlikely that this will be a passing phase. 

AI is becoming a bridge -  offering creative technologists the ability to blend artistry and functionality more seamlessly than ever before. It allows us to prototype faster, iterate on ideas more efficiently, and even explore creative avenues that would have been too time-consuming or complex to tackle manually. 

The Job Market Dichotomy and AI’s Impact

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a creative technologist is finding roles that truly value both skill sets. The job market tends to be divided—on one side, you have roles that focus heavily on creative design, and on the other, positions that emphasize technical development. It’s rare to find a job that allows you to fully explore and utilize both aspects.

However, AI is starting to shift this dichotomy. As AI tools become more integrated into both creative and technical workflows, the lines between these roles are beginning to blur. Employers are starting to recognize the value of professionals who can leverage AI to enhance both their creative output and technical execution. This is leading to the emergence of new roles that are more holistic, where the ability to use AI creatively and technically is becoming a sought-after skill.

For creative technologists, this means new opportunities are on the horizon. AI can help us showcase our dual skills more effectively, making it easier to demonstrate our value in a job market that is slowly but surely evolving. 

Finding or Creating Opportunities with AI

In my experience, the best opportunities for creative technologists often arise in smaller companies or startups, where roles are more fluid, and the need for hybrid skills is greater.  The entrepreneurship environment requires for me to wear multiple hats for instance from designing user interfaces to code to billing. 

Startups, smaller companies, individual consultants are often early adopters of AI technologies, and as a creative technologist, I’ve found that embracing these tools helps accomplish tasks that is hard to do on our own.  Whether it's using AI to automate tedious coding tasks or leveraging machine learning to create personalized user experiences, AI is becoming an essential part of many organizations toolkit. The challenge often is where to start, how to prioritize and  identify which tool to leverage for best optimization specific to your business or industry.  

Building a Portfolio That Tells a Story

One of the most important aspects of being a creative technologist is building a portfolio that showcases your unique skill set. I’ve learned that it’s not just about displaying your work; it’s about telling a story. Your portfolio should walk potential employers or clients through your thought process, highlighting how you approach problems from both a creative and technical perspective.

The Importance of Continuous Learning in the Age of AI

The world of digital technology is constantly changing, and as creative technologists, we must keep pace with both creative trends and technological advancements. I make it a point to regularly update my skills, whether through online courses, certifications, or just experimenting with new tools and techniques.

The Future of Creative Technology and AI

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the future of creative technology, particularly the role that AI will play.  AI is poised to revolutionize the way we create and experience digital content. It will enable us to push the boundaries of creativity while maintaining the functionality and usability that users demand. 

As AI continues to evolve, I believe we’ll see new job titles and descriptions that better reflect the hybrid nature of this work, making it easier for those of us who live at the intersection of art, code, to find fulfilling careers.

Embracing the Dual Path with AI

Being a creative technologist is not without its challenges, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. It’s a role that allows you to be both a dreamer and a doer, to create beautiful things that work. While the path may be difficult at times, I wouldn’t have it any other way. By integrating AI into our workflows, we can push the boundaries of what’s possible, creating digital experiences that are as innovative as they are impactful.  After all, innovation often begins where the road ends—and with AI, that road just got a lot more exciting.