d+a | Issue 125 • 2022

87 Prolific Filipino designer AJ Dimarucot has been creating AI-aided images of disparate subjects. He has also been sharing them on social media where they have been attracting steady attention from everywhere. And for good reason. Although his initial experiments involved using AI to create imagery of Philippine-based tourist spots and islands – “to highlight the beauty of my country”, his exploration has since covered other subjects as well: imaginary Nike shoes with a vivid neon glow or the delicacy of a Delft china, and hyper-realistic Smokey Mountain, the infamous, now rehabilitated, landfill in Metro Manila. What do you plan to do with the images? I’ve used AI image results on personal and even commercial projects. I might also do a few as NFTs. Have you gone beyond just illustrating and modeling those images? I don’t do 3D modeling but I have considered using a few to create some actual physical pieces. But I’ll need to work with a 3D modeler to make those come to life. What other possible uses do those images have? They can be used as stock images, NFTs, as part of a larger piece of work, mixed-media work, etc. The possibilities are endless. What do you think of the AI tool Midjourney? I love Midjourney and any other AI tool that helps me quickly ideate concepts that I have in my head. I think it’s truly a game-changing technology that will affect how we conceive work in the future. It’s already starting to happen. What does it offer that other platforms and labs haven’t done yet? Some labs are already picking up on what (Midjourney is) doing, like placing ownership rights of all the generated images onto the user. It used to be the other way around. I think this is a powerful signal for future image-creation tools like MJ. Do you see this as the way to the future of illustration? Yes! The future of illustration, image creation, concept development, and everything in between. It’s already become part of creative processes based on some anecdotal cases I’ve seen on social media as well as with some clients. It really affects stock photography, people are generating images from scratch instead of relying on stock photo sites to provide them with photos. ajdimarucot.com