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Building BelugaWatch – Experimenting With Coding Agents

Peter Simcoe — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:59:29 +0000

BelugaWatch is an experimental web application I created to track Airbus BelugaXL aircraft as they move between Airbus sites across Europe. It provides a live map, selected aircraft details, nearest arrival information, airport watch tools, Daily Rewind, audio alerts and browser notifications designed for people interested in Beluga spotting, Airbus Broughton wing movements and aviation tracking in general.

On the surface, it is a niche aircraft tracker for a very specific audience. However, the more interesting part of the project is not simply the subject matter, it is the process. BelugaWatch demonstrates how designers, photographers, video producers and other creative professionals can now use coding agents such as Codex to help build interactive tools, web applications and working prototypes without needing software developers.

It is not about pretending coding is suddenly effortless or that human coders are not required, it is that creatives now have access to something closer to their own coding assistant — a robot helper that can do the bit they could not do. At the very least, it can help them understand and assemble the bit that previously stopped the idea becoming real.

From Visual Idea To Working Web App

Designers often think in systems before they think in code – imagining a map interface, a set of movable panels, a clear visual hierarchy, colour-coded aircraft states, notification behaviour, mobile layouts and a quick guide explaining how it all works. The difficulty comes when that idea needs to become functional.

A static mockup can communicate intent, but it cannot track aircraft, update data, trigger notifications, remember selected locations, animate a rewind feature or respond to a user double-clicking a map icon. Traditionally, this is where many personal projects stopped ie the designer could see the idea clearly but lacked the coding ability, time or budget to build it into something interactive. Coding agents change this equation.

With tools such as Codex, the designer can describe the intended behaviour in plain English, test the result, identify what feels wrong, then request refinements. This is very different from asking AI to generate a picture because the output is not just visual content, it is functionality.

Main features of BelugaWatch web app

BelugaWatch Snapshop feature.

Why Coding Agents Are Useful

Most creative people have notebooks, sketchbooks, half-finished websites, abandoned side projects and “one day I’ll build this” concepts scattered across their hard drives. The bottleneck is often not the visual idea but the technical bridge between concept and working prototype.

A coding agent can assist with:

Creating HTML, CSS and JavaScript structure
Connecting interface elements together
Fixing layout problems and explaining unfamiliar code

Refactoring messy experiments and providing debugging errors
Making components responsive and suggesting simpler approaches
Turning repeated instructions into reusable workflows

This is useful because many designers understand what they want, but not always how to write the code required to achieve it. With BelugaWatch, the useful lesson is that the creative direction remains human – aircraft theme, visual layout, information hierarchy, labels, explanatory guide, use of cards, map-first interface and overall purpose are design decisions. The agent helps with implementation, but it does not know what matters unless directed. In reality, the designer becomes more like an art director for code.

Coding Robots

The phrase “coding robot” sounds a little flippant, but it describes the experience reasonably well. A designer can create a prompt that says something like:

“Create a panel that shows selected aircraft with badges for air, ground, live data and last-known position” or “Make this map easier to use on mobile by adding a full-screen mode and simplifying the panel layout” or: “Add an alert that notifies the user when a Beluga is within 20 miles of a selected airport.”

AI-generated code can sometimes be overcomplicated or incorrect. It can misunderstand intended behaviour or solve the wrong problem in a technically plausible way. However, for creative experimentation, AI tools still provide a significant advantage – a rough working prototype is much more useful than a polished Photoshop mockup that cannot be tested.

Does AI Create Lazy Designers?

There is a familiar fear that AI tools will flatten creative work, remove skill or encourage low-effort production. That concern is valid when AI is used as a replacement for judgement, but less convincing when used as an assistant for experimentation. BelugaWatch required design judgement because the challenge was not simply to put aircraft icons on a map. It needed to feel legible, direct and purposeful. The user should be able to glance at the map, understand aircraft status, select a location, set an alert and review movement through the day without needing a technical manual.

The Quick Guide exists because interface design does not end with buttons and panels. Users need orientation – web application must communicate what it does, what it cannot do and how to get the best results. This is where creative professionals have an advantage because designers already think about usability, spacing, emphasis, contrast, hierarchy, sequence and visual storytelling. Coding agents can help make the thing work, but it will not automatically make the thing good.

Why This Matters For Freelancers

Freelancers working in video production, photography, graphic design or web design often need to solve unusual problems. Sometimes these problems are too small for a full software project but too specific for off-the-shelf tools.

A client might need a custom product viewer, a booking helper, an internal dashboard or a prototype for a pitch. Previously, a designer might have needed to outsource the entire technical element or avoid suggesting the idea altogether, but now coding agents make it more realistic to experiment. They allow freelancers to create proof-of-concept tools quickly, test ideas, improve their own understanding and approach developers with a clearer brief when professional engineering support is required. This can save time, reduce ambiguity and make creative proposals more ambitious but most importantly, it encourages designers to think beyond static deliverables.

LoopEase and Audio Upscale Lab software box designs.

Developers Are Irreplaceable

It is worth being clear that Codex and similar agents do not remove the need for developers. Complex applications still require human overview on the architecture, security, testing, accessibility, performance optimisation and long-term maintenance. There is a big difference between an experimental aviation tracker and a mission-critical business system. However, not every idea begins as a mission-critical system. Many creative projects begin as sketches, prototypes, tests and experiments. In those early stages, coding agents provide a powerful new bridge between imagination and execution.

The Bigger Creative Opportunity

BelugaWatch began as a niche idea: a simple visual way to follow the Airbus BelugaXL fleet. It expanded into a practical experiment in how designers can use AI coding tools to build something interactive, useful and specific. Coding agents give designers a way to test ideas that were previously prohibited by cost and convenience – that is a meaningful change. BelugaWatch is a small example of this change, but it points toward a much larger opportunity for creative professionals.The future is not simply designers using AI to make images – it is designers using AI to make things work.

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7 Ethical Issues for Creatives Using Generative AI

Peter Simcoe — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:45:26 +0000

Should I use generative AI for client work?

Using AI for client work can be ethical, but the real questions are related to your response to the brief. The key questions are: Are you meeting the client’s expectations? Are you being honest about what they are paying for? Are you delivering work they can use without the risk of copyright claims? AI can be a useful component of the development process eg using ChatGPT to assist in video preproduction including planning and scriptwriting. Another example would be using Adobe Firefly to generate character ideas and background images for an animated presentation.

Questionable ethical behaviour occurs when AI is used to misrepresent time allocated to the project, provide misleading information about the originality of deliverables or expose the client to legal problems associated with copyright claims. Essentially, cutting corners by significantly reducing reliance on creative skills. It is also worth noting that existing AI tools do not offer a satisfactory ‘one click’ answer to a creative brief when compared to the refinement and sophistication of solutions produced by intelligently integrating AI into workflows.

Do I need to disclose AI use to clients?

Disclosing whether generative AI was used (and the level of use) in a creative process is a matter of judgement from an individual or creative team. Disclosure is recommended if the level of use may cause trust issues with the client or there are potential legal risks associated with copyright for example. Where these risks exist it is important to consider using AI generated by reputable companies with trust policies in place such as Adobe.

Effective use of AI tools involves knowledge and experience so, where AI plays a significant role, a creative team may wish to demonstrate to the client how AI has contributed to other projects. It is more respectable to have proactively demonstrated the use of AI and how it provides an edge over competitor’s solutions rather being forced to respond to clients questioning creative methods and processes.

Should I use AI models trained on copyright material?

Use of generative AI trained on copyright material is contested because what may be considered to be “legal” is not necessarily “fair”. Where creators did not consent to their work being used for training, claims of copyright infringement may be evident and valid. Other cases are harder to prove – either way many artists feel this undermines their livelihood. As a creative professional ethical risk can be reduced preferring models / tools that offer clearer licensing, opt-out mechanisms or training transparency. Note that creative software industry leaders Adobe have a comprehensive policy related to their training material and models whilst providing solid assurances from a copyright perspective.

It may not always be possible to fully audit training data, but it is possible to control how you use the tool. It could be useful to employ a reverse image search tool such as TinEye or by searching for similar images on Google Lens for additional reassurance. The best policy when considering the use of AI tools in creative media production is not to take unnecessary risks – without a solid licensing policy there is a degree of legal exposure. Where licensing policies are unclear, generative AI can be a useful source of inspiration similar to that of visiting an art gallery or browsing through a graphic design magazine.

Is it ethical to use artist names in prompts?

Generating AI content in the style of an existing artist can negatively impact your professional reputation, even if it is useful or desirable as part of the creative process. An artist or designers ‘style’ is about reputation, labour and identity which has often taken many years to establish. Using an artist’s name to get their signature look is like extracting value from their brand without permission or compensation. This can discredit you as a creative practitioner. A more appropriate approach would be to objectively describe a styles’ characteristics and allow the AI system to work its magic.

An example might be “high-contrast, monochrome, atmospheric, medium format photograph” (along with any additional prompt information regarding content) rather than “a photograph in the style of Anton Corbjin”. Alternatively, licensing artwork, photography or design work from reputable sources or even hiring the artist can resolve any ethically questionable activity. Remember, if the original training data has used copyright material, even if you prompt ethically there is a risk of significant similarity or ‘likeness’ leaving the creator open to potential legal problems.

Is AI replacing creative practitioners?

Ethical AI systems and their usage consider and recognise that creative ecosystems involve livelihoods. These tools should integrate into creative workflows by enhancing and streamlinin the work of creatives such as designers, video producers, photographers or character animators. They should be used to work smarter and more effectively whilst maintaining creative integrity, providing an edge over those who shun the technology altogether.

As previously discussed in this article, one-click solutions usually result in significant creative compromise. Where limited design input is required, such as the organisation of a simple table in a Word document, a one-click solution may have its use. For creatives, in the same way modern electronic calculators enhanced the mathematicians daily tasks, generative AI provides a tool that can stimulate ideas and streamline creative processes. That said, without careful management to avoid dependence, practitioners run the risk of gradually losing their creative edge.

What impact is AI having on the environment?

Obviously, generative AI has an environmental impact simply by existing. For designers, video producers, and photographers, the main issue is not usually one single prompt, but the wider infrastructure behind it. The biggest impact comes from data centres because they use large amounts of electricity, water for cooling and hardware such as GPUs. Smaller jobs such as object removal, AI masking, captioning or generating a few low resolution images are usually less impactful because they rely on inference rather than training a model from scratch. However, repetitive image generation with large batches of variations, long AI video generation, high-resolution upscaling and custom model training create significant load.

There is an alternative view: generative AI can sometimes reduce environmental impact by cutting the travel associated with video production or photography as well as limiting printing or shipping. The counter-argument is that savings are cancelled out if AI leads to excessive experimentation or intensive cloud-based workflows. In conclusion, if creation processes create efficiency, generative AI is neither automatically good nor automatically bad for the environment. In reality generative AI is often a ‘hit-and-miss’ process with large numbers of unused generations.

What are the general principles of use?

A good baseline when planning, developing concepts and presenting creative work is honesty about AI content + checking consent in the training data + accountability for use. Be honest about what you did, seek consent where rights and confidentiality are involved, and remain accountable for the final output (including bias, harm, infringement risk, and quality).

Avoid emulating the work from other artists or designers. Do not generate lookalikes of real people without permission. Keep documentation or proof of your process and use licensed/permissioned inputs where possible eg Adobe Firefly. Ensure your input to the project is clear, tangible and measurable. Ultimately, if you feel uncomfortable explaining your workflow to the client, the audience or a peer you respect, that’s a sign you are likely not acting in an ethical manner.

5 Useful Photoshop Features For Designers

Peter Simcoe — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:20:28 +0000

Adobe Creative Cloud is acknowledged as industry standard software for creative designers across the globe as it features design essentials such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver and now packs a punch allowing users to access various generative AI technologies. This includes Adobe’s Firefly, Google’s Nano Banana and many more – enabling the creation of both images and generative AI video.

Photoshop is a crucial part of the designers toolkit and is often used to fine tune colour in photography ready for publication, create web design mockups, assemble composites for a product launch or produce storyboards for film and video. Here are 5 (relatively!) new tools you may not have tried within Photoshop designed to streamline workflows and open up new creative opportunities:

1. Generative Fill and Generative Expand

Why designers like this

The ability to quickly replace objects, expand an image vertically / horizontally or alter the colour of specific areas opens up new creative options and streamlines processes. It is possible to switch AI models depending on whether you need cleaner product-style results, more “illustrative” outputs, or different texture realism — all without leaving Photoshop.

Using Generative Fill And Expand

Select an area > Generative Fill in the Contextual Task Bar > pick an AI model. For Generative Expand use the Crop tool > expand to required proportions then use Contextual Task Bar.

Note: Some models do use credits to generate results.

2. Harmonize For Fast Compositing

Why designers like this

Harmonize auto-matches color, lighting, and shadows when adding objects to a scene (best used with transparency). I rapidly makes these adjustments in seconds to ensure the final composited products, buildings or vehicles look like they were part of the original scene.

Using Harmonize

Place subject on a pixel layer > Select Harmonize from the Contextual Task Bar > select choose a variation from the available generations.

3. Generative Upscaling With Topaz Bloom

Why designers like this

Topaz have led the way in upscaling technologies for the last few years and Adobe’s integration of Generative Upscaling using Topaz upscaling algorithms enables users to enlarge images with ease. This feature is useful when rescuing small client assets (logos in a photo, old campaign images, cropped bits) to a more usable resolution.

Using Generative Upscale

Go to Image > Generative Upscale.

Note: There are currently maximum image scaling limits of 6144px. It is possible to select between Adobe’s Firefly upscaling and Topaz Bloom (generative AI) or Gigapixel (non-generative).

4. Object Selection And Remove Distractions

Why Designers Like This

Photoshop improved their selection tool by allowing processing of images in the cloud, resulting in a cleaner selection resulting in less refinement work when masking. This is a real time saver for designers. The have also created a new find distractions tool that will auto-detect wires / cables or background people allowing for fast scene cleanup.

Using Find Distractions

Use the Remove Tool > Top Menu Bar > Find Distractions

5. New Color & Vibrance Adjustment Layer

Why Designers Like This

It is a new feature that creates a non-destructive way to handle temperature / tint / vibrance / saturation control as a layer adjustment. This retains flexibility during the editing process where previously a commitment was required.

Using Colour And Vibrance Adjustment Layer

Layers panel > New Adjustment Layer > Color and vibrance

More About Generative AI

Why Every Freelancer Should Experiment With Generative AI
AI And The Future Of Media Production

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Understanding Video and Image Prompts For Generative AI

Peter Simcoe — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:45:41 +0000

Writing Your Generative AI Prompt

Methods for writing generative AI prompts vary from platform to platform in terms of structure, style and tone. Different models respond more accurately to different kinds of input, levels of detail and different ways of presenting your requests. A prompt that works well for Firefly Image may not be the best way to approach Midjourney. In the same way, video tools such as Veo or Kling benefit from prompts that describe movement, camera behaviour, environment and mood rather than a static image alone. If you approach every model with the same sentence pattern, the results will vary wildly. Generative AI can be a little hit and miss at the best of times – so a solid input technique can improve efficiency and effectiveness dramatically.

Prompting Example

A straightforward example makes this clearer. Imagine you want to generate a moody futuristic scene of a man walking through a rain-soaked neon alley at night.

For Adobe Firefly Image, a prompt such as man walking through neon alley, rain, cinematic lighting, futuristic city, night fits a simple subject-led style.

For Midjourney, something shorter and more visually weighted may yield solid results, such as lone man, neon alley, rain, futuristic, cinematic, moody –ar 16:9.

For Veo, the same idea benefits from a more filmic structure: Cinematic live-action shot. A lone man in a long coat walks slowly through a rain-soaked neon alley at night. Low tracking camera, reflections on wet pavement, distant siren, soft electrical hum, tense atmosphere.

A Brief Guide To Prompting

Below is an outline of how the most popular generative AI tools available to consumers can generate the most effective prompts for their subject matter. As previously mentioned, the process is inherently a little bit random at the best of times but knowing how the systems work can get you closer to the results you wanted.

From Guide To Practical Tool

To make this process even easier to use in practice I created a prompt construction tool called Prompt Workbench at prompt.simcoe.co.uk. It is designed to guide users through the process rather than presenting a static article. The written guide explains the logic behind prompting, while the online tool helps apply it in a more practical and structured way.

Generative AI Prompt Guide

Generative AI Images

Adobe Firefly

For Adobe Firefly, write prompts in simple, direct language built around a clear subject plus descriptors and keywords. Adobe advises using at least three words, avoiding filler verbs like “generate” or “create,” and being specific rather than vague. The system responds well to clean wording rather than long rambling instructions.

Subject + Descriptors + Keywords + Style / Medium + Setting

Nano Banana 2

Build prompts around style, subject, setting, action, and composition, then add production details such as aspect ratio, output format, or exact text in quotation marks when needed. Nano Banana is especially useful when you want accurate text rendering, grounded real-world knowledge, diagrams and localised visuals.

Style + Subject + Setting + Action + Composition + Text / Output Constraints

Midjourney

Short and simple prompts usually work best. Brief prompts let Midjourney’s style engine do more of the creative filling-in. Be precise with words and define subject, medium, environment, lighting, color, and mood. Focus on what you do want, not what you do not want, then use parameters at the end of the prompt for things like aspect ratio and other controls.

Subject + Medium / Style + Environment + Lighting / Colour + Mood + Parameters

Flux

The most important elements should come first: main subject, key action, critical style, then essential context. Medium-length prompts are often the sweet spot, with longer prompts reserved for complex scenes. FLUX does not use negative prompts in the usual way, so describe the desired result positively. For photorealism, specify cameras, lenses, film stocks, and lighting.

Subject + Action + Style + Context

GPT Image

For GPT Image, the best method is structured prompting. OpenAI’s current guidance is to keep a consistent order and to include the intended use, such as ad, UI mockup, infographic, poster, or product image. For more complex jobs, split the prompt into labeled sections rather than one dense paragraph. Be explicit about framing, angle, lighting, layout, and text placement.

Background / Scene + Subject + Key Details + Constraints + Text / Layout

Generative AI Video

Adobe Firefly

Describe the camera perspective and movement first, then the character, what they are doing, where they are, and finally the mood or visual treatment. Camera angles matter Adobe warns that too many subjects can confuse the model, so it is usually better to keep the scene focused.

Shot Type Description + Character + Action + Location + Aesthetic

Google Veo

Veo 3 can generate dialogue and respond to explicit sound design cues, so prompts can describe what is heard. The best prompts usually establish the visual style and tone early, then build the world with sensory detail and clear character actions. Treat the prompt like a miniature director’s brief, not just a visual idea.

Style / Tone + Subject / Character + Setting + Action + Camera Direction + Audio / Dialogue

Kling

Kling simplifies this even further into Subject + Movement, which means the still image already carries most of the visual information and the prompt should focus mainly on motion. Good Kling prompts are concrete, cinematic, and observable: describe what is moving, how the camera behaves, what the environment is, and what kind of light defines the shot.

Subject + Movement + Scene + Camera Language + Lighting

Runway

Start simple, add detail strategically, and use positive, concrete language. Runway separates prompts into visual components and motion components. For text-to-video, describe what we see and how it behaves. For image-to-video, the prompt should focus mostly on motion, camera work, timing, direction, and temporal progression.

Camera / Shot + Subject + Motion / Action + Environment + Temporal Progression

Dream Machine

Prompt as if you are describing the shot naturally to another person. It also encourages iterative refinement using built-in tools such as Modify, Styles, Character Reference, Visual Reference, Camera Motion, Extend, Keyframes, and Loop. A strong workflow is to begin with a broad idea, then make specific changes step by step instead of overloading one prompt.

Subject + Action + Setting + Style / Mood + Camera Motion + Refinement

Official Video Guidelines

Kling
Google Veo
Luma Labs (Dream Machine)
Adobe Firefly
Runway

Image Prompt Summary

Firefly Image: Subject + Descriptors + Keywords
Nano Banana 2: Style + Subject + Setting + Composition
Midjourney: Subject + Style + Environment + Parameters
FLUX: Subject + Action + Style + Context
GPT Image: Scene + Subject + Details + Constraints

Firefly Video: Shot Type + Character + Action + Location + Aesthetic
Veo: Style + Subject + Setting + Action + Camera + Audio
Kling: Subject + Movement + Scene + Camera + Lighting
Runway: Camera + Subject + Motion + Environment + Progression
Dream Machine: Subject + Action + Setting + Mood + Camera + Refinement

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AI Slop Is Degrading Social Media Ecosystems

Peter Simcoe — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:30:06 +0000

What is AI Slop?

In terms of video production, AI slop refers to the production of short-form video created or assisted by generative AI tools such as Kling, Google’s Veo, Midjourney and similar platforms. The primary goal of AI slop is engagement rather than the conveyance of insight or original thought. It is typically algorithm-first content optimised for clicks and retention plus rapid distribution which usually relies heavily on eye-catching visuals and familiar formats. While it may appear thoughtfully designed and include high production values, the appeal is frequently driven by curiosity hooks and surface polish, masking the absence of depth, context, or meaningful creative decision-making.

Examples

AI slop can be found on Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts and X.com video reels. They typically create engagement through humour, exaggeration or misleading information. Some use current affairs to create similar or topical themes to attract attention with realistic video sequences that misrepresent or simply did not occur in reality.

EuroNews article on AI Slop
Wikipedia definition
AI Animation and Video on Facebook

How Does AI Slop Degrade Social Media Ecosystems?

AI slop affects media producers less through direct competition with tools, and more through distortion of creative processes and the shifting of expectations. The impact on audiences and content creators is becoming increasingly clear. Issues include:

1. Devaluation of creative skill and experience

AI slop mimics the appearance of professional production without the investment of time, skill or judgement. It uses advanced effects where its cinematic visuals are impressive. For media producers, this collapses the perceived gap between carefully crafted work and automated output ultimately leading to the devaluation of skills such as creative writing, video production and graphic design.

2. Misleading Benchmarks and Comparisons

Creative media producers are under pressure to compete with generative AI where AI content can be generated in minutes and often follows engagement templates rather than original creative direction. In the hiring process this is starting to create unrealistic expectations upon turnaround time, pricing, and output volume, pressurising content creators to compete with systems that do not operate with the same constraints.

3. Loss of Trust In Media Production

When AI slop floods platforms with ‘authoritative-looking’ but ultimately souless or misleading video, audiences become more skeptical of all visual media. This is evident in the comments section of many social media videos where viewers question authenticity. There is often something a little ‘off’ or ‘uncanny’ in AI generated content, whether it be the odd, slightly other-worldly aesthetic or the morphing of people or objects as the narrative plays out. This is particularly damaging for producers working in documentary, education, journalism or archive-based storytelling where video has traditionally carried evidential and ethical weight.

4. Algorithm Bias

Platforms reward frequency and early engagement with audiences – these are areas where automated video production has an advantage. Thoughtful, slower, or more nuanced media often performs worse, not because it lacks value, but because it doesn’t fit the optimisation logic. As a result, high-quality work is increasingly buried beneath AI slop.

5. Reputational Risk Via Association

Quality video production now runs the risk of being featured alongside misleading AI content in feeds and recommendations. This association by proximity can blur distinctions for audiences, potentially damaging the credibility of genuine authors.

6. Cynicism and Disengagement

The trend for social media video is to simplify content, exaggerate points of interest and to follow the aesthetic of the moment. Over time, this narrows creative range and contributes to AI slop fatigue, cynicism, and gradual disengagement by audiences seeking genuine engagement through rigorously produced content.

Final Thoughts

Social media is now awash with AI slop and with limited regulation, generative AI content will increasingly dominate short form video for the foreseeable future. Whilst some of the content is humourous, engaging and communicates in an innovative manner, as generative AI improves it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between crafted, curated, quality video and that produced by automation. In turn this has led to the spreading of misinformation and malicious content, on an industrial scale in some cases. Social media platforms now face difficult decisions in terms of determining the quantity of AI slop they present to their users and how they police the system to avoid mistrust and disengagement.

Effective Use Of Generative AI In Creative Media Processes

Peter Simcoe — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 11:50:33 +0000

Until recently, creative media production services relied solely upon more traditional tools of the trade such as high-end PCs, cameras, tripods, lighting rigs and audio capture equipment. During the last 2-3 years Artificial Intelligence (AI) has slowly integrated into industry standard software tools such as Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite, providing new opportunities for content generation, refinement and streamlining of workflows and creative experimentation across various media.

Here are a few ways AI can add value to your video, audio and graphic design work (note that many of the links provided require subscriptions or the purchase of credits).

1. Storyboarding and Creative Visual Exploration

If your work includes concept development, environment design, animation or live action as a graphic designer, photographer or video producer, AI has the potential to become a useful tool when producing concepts, exploring styles and testing motion sequences. Storyboarding can be manually intensive when conveying narrative through detailed drawings, animation and even live action video clips. With some fairly basic groundwork to maximise effective use of AI technologies, such as the use of clearly defined sketches and focused text prompts, it is possible to generate:

Atmospheres and mood boards illustrating a theme
Environmental concepts and detail
Lighting tests
Colour palettes
Character styles and clothing samples
Sophisticated animation or video sequences

Most importantly, AI lets you “audition” ideas at a pace that was previously not possible. This does not replace the need for traditional media production skills – it simply speeds up the process of discovery and refinement.

Harmonise in Photoshop
Adobe Firefly Moodboards
Luma Labs Modify features

2. Editing and Post-Production Assistance

Video and film editors understand how edits make or break the pacing, emotion and overall feel of video production including the use of sound, colour palette, special effects and camera angle. AI technologies will not replace human decision and intervention any time soon. Efforts to completely automate creative processes using AI tend to decend into cliché, lack nuance and create with limited finesse – therefore human intervention and direction will remain for the foreseeable future. However, there are some useful AI editing tools added to software such as Adobe’s Premier Pro that aim to streamline the editing process with time saving features that enable AI to:

Detect scenes within footage
Search within footage by describing what you are looking for
Extend footage using generative AI
Create automatic captioning or transcription
Enhance audio to improve clarity and remove background noise
Colour correct footage with greater accuracy
Remix the length of music in a video to fit the entire clip

These features are not revolutionary but quietly save hours, especially if you are a one-person production studio juggling multiple roles or rescuing footage from visual or audio issues during the capture process.

Adobe Premier Pro new AI features
Da Vinci Resolve new AI features

3. Sound Effects, Atmospheric Ambience and Score Creation

Score creation using tools such as Suno.com or Udio.com provide some of the most interesting and accessible methods for creating AI generated media content – they are easy to try out but also, with some practice, useful for creating unique soundtracks for your documentary or film production without the need for expensive royalty agreements.

With AI tools you can easily generate:

Ambient drones and pads
Industrial textures
Lo-fi soundscapes
Tension-building atmospheres
Clean voiceovers (if you don’t have access to talent)

This is huge leap forward in media production because, unlike traditional audio libraries, you are not limited by the content and style someone else has recorded. You can shape the sound to the style of your world through text prompts, by uploading a simple melody guide created by a single instrument or even a sound effect simulated by the sound of your voice.

Suno.com AI Music Creator
Udio.com AI Music Creator
Adobe Firefly’s Sound Effects feature
Adobe Podcast (cleaning voice audio)

Losing Your Creative Voice

Many designers are reluctant to use AI tools as part of their workflow because they feel it threatens their craft or devalues their skills. The real challenge and craft is keeping your voice at the centre of the work. Anyone can press a button and generate something using the tools described in this article but remaining in control

The best use of generative AI is as reference material, a thinking partner, a way to test ideas or potentially as a filler when resources are thin but always returning to your own judgement, taste, and aesthetic. AI should not provide a style in itself, it should amplify and focus the one you already have.

AI should become part of the creative foundation — not a novelty. A tool or an assistant when brainstorming concepts, experimenting visually, gathering atmospheric references, refining early sequences and developing the “feel” of a piece.

Ultimately, AI never completely replaces the need for human creativity.
It extends it.

Find out more about AI related topics on this site:
AI and The Future Of Media Production
Why Every Freelancer Should Experiment With Generative AI

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Why Every Freelancer Should Experiment With Generative AI

Peter Simcoe — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 09:30:47 +0000

If you’re a freelancer working as a photographer, graphic designer or video production, you’ve probably noticed how AI is rapidly being integrated into the software used by creative industries such as Adobe Firefly. Whether you see it as a useful tool or a threat to creativity, one thing is clear: ignoring it is not an option. Here are a few reasons why experimenting with generative AI is an important component of a media producers toolkit:

1. Staying Ahead Of The Competition

Freelancers who integrate AI into their workflow are likely to find ways of working more efficiently and effectively. AI-assisted video editing, AI-generated design elements or advanced photography editing using generative AI have the potential to provide an edge over those still doing everything manually. For those who remain sceptical and resist the changes AI is bring to the industry, there remain many misconceptions about the technology and understanding it might assist others is a useful experience.

2. Expanding Creative Possibilities

AI will not replace creativity—it is a useful companion for enhancing it. Tools like Runway Gen-3, Magnific AI and Midjourney can rapidly generate ideas, styles and effects which both accelerate concept development and inspire creative processes. Experimenting with these tools allow content creators to rapidly produce a wide variety of concepts, translate audio content to different languages, accurately rotoscope with minimal intervention and deliver many other services that were previously time consuming and costly.

3. Increasing Productivity Without Increasing Costs

Freelancing means balancing creative work with business management. AI can automate time-consuming tasks —background removal, creating a seamless nadir and zenith on a 360 photograph, rapid colour grading and colour matching, scriptwriting assistance. These time saving activities allow freelancers to take on more business without sacrificing quality.

4. Attracting More Clients

Businesses are actively pursuing opportunities to implement their own AI efficiencies and therefore a freelancer integrating AI into their own work in an intelligent manner will stand out from the crowd. By showcasing quality AI-enhanced work in your portfolio, you position yourself as an innovative professional who understands the importance of using this technology to maintain an edge over your competitors.

5. Future-Proofing Your Career

AI will not replace freelancers, but those using AI will have an increasing advantage over those that do not. Learning AI tools now prepares you for industry changes and fosters discernment as to their appropriate application – the more experience you have, the greater understanding of effective AI integration. You do not have to completely change your workflow overnight – by starting small it is possible to gain understanding of the potential and limitations. Maybe try some generative AI text-to-image experiments in Adobe Firefly for example.

Freelancers who understand effective uses of AI technologies will thrive. Those who ignore it risk falling behind. Ultimately, experimentation with AI tools cost relatively little but not experimenting with AI could cost you projects.

Relevant Articles

The post Why Every Freelancer Should Experiment With Generative AI first appeared on Simcoemedia.

AI Tutorials For Photographers, Designers And Video Producers

Peter Simcoe — Wed, 14 May 2025 14:15:00 +0000

Simcoemedia shop has been selling 360 images, tutorials, books and t-shirts since summer 2024 proving an outlet for the graphic design, AI video experimentation, generative AI 360 image generation. Simcoemedia remains committed to the exploration, experimentation and analysis of AI tools and, with more resources in the pipeline, the shop aims to be a valuable resource for those looking to embrace AI as part of in their creative work. This article focusses upon the tutorials written to assist creatives looking to explore these tools.

Tutorials

Applying Styles to 360 Photography Using Midjourney and Magnific

This tutorial examines how AI can transform 360-degree images by applying image styles using Midjourney and Magnific AI. If you are looking to enhance architectural shots, landscapes, or abstract environments, this guide can assist you step by step through the process, enabling you to enhancce immersive photography using AI-driven tools.

Introduction to Creating AI-Generated Music Videos

AI is revolutionising the way music videos are produced, enabling artists and filmmakers to bring visual storytelling to life without the need for expensive production crews or complex computer graphics. This free tutorial provides a brief history of music videos, explores the potential of AI-generated visuals, and provides practical examples of how Runway Gen 3, Kaiber, and other AI platforms can be used to create unique and engaging music videos.

Creating 360 Images Using Midjourney and Magnific AI

For those interested in creating immersive 360-degree images, this tutorial provides a complete workflow using AI tools. From generating high-quality panoramic scenes to ensuring seamless stitching for a flawless 360 experience, this tutorial guides you through the techniques required to create visually stunning, AI-enhanced environments.

The Future of AI in Creative Media

The fusion of AI and creative media opens up a new world, offering new tools for artists and designers looking to streamline the production of creative work. As AI tools continue to evolve, they provide new methods for expression, allowing creatives to push the boundaries of storytelling, photography, and digital artistry. Check out the full range of tutorials at the Simcoemedia Shop.

The post AI Tutorials For Photographers, Designers And Video Producers first appeared on Simcoemedia.

Paloma Film Development – Storyboard Pre-Production Overview

Peter Simcoe — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 10:00:45 +0000

What Is Paloma?

Paloma is the 60-75 minute film of a story written by Peter Simcoe. It takes place 300 years in the future where a man living a solitary life in a post apocalyptic land finds a note from a mysterious woman that will change his life forever. It is an adventurous and challenging production for an independent filmmaker requiring an innovative approach and execution. It is important to explore different methods and techniques for crafting a tale with compelling visuals and soundtrack as there are many ways to tell this story including live action, AI generated content, CGI and hand drawn animation.

As part of the pre-production process a 20 page document containing details on the social, political and environmental aspects of life in the 24th century was produced. This enabled me to write and evaluate the storyline in depth whilst addressing some of its weaker elements. Having established the story theme and direction, an animated storyboard has was assembled to communicate the concept.

Creating The Storyboard

The storyboard began as a series of sketches on paper. These were individually input into Midjourney, a description added and drawing style applied. Using it’s vast bank of reference images, Midjourney’s generative AI generated a more refined version of the original paper sketches. There is some variation in the pencil strokes, fine detail and overall styling

To animate each of the frames, Midjourney was then tasked with creating variation on the original image. This process was repeated at least twice which resulted in a series of frames that could be input into Premier Pro. The animated sequences were grouped using the nest function and assembled in the correct order on the timeline. Preview production logos were added to the sequence from www.videohive.net. Introduction text was added in Premier Pro and sound effects were added using the Soundly desktop app plus existing sound from my own library.

Generative AI Experiments

A variety of production techniques are being considered including using generative AI to tell the entire story using platforms such as Runway, Firefly or Luma Labs. Developing this idea further, it is also possible to combine AI generated imagery by compositing it onto existing video and blending the video and AI generated elements using Photoshop. See other AI experiments I’ve been working on using the links below:

Why Create A Video At This Stage?

Creating a pre-production video highlighting key elements of the story whilst providing a visual guide to the composition of each scene is useful when communicating the story to interested parties. These may be potential stakeholders, design clients, other filmmakers or even friends and family. Using simple animation techniques to create the impression of moving frames adds dynamism to the presentation, providing an additional hook to keep people watching.

I look forward to bringing you more developments on Paloma in the near future. If you are interested in supporting the project, please contact me at design@simcoe.co.uk or donate to the project at https://www.paypal.me/petersimcoe.

The post Paloma Film Development – Storyboard Pre-Production Overview first appeared on Simcoemedia.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Environment Month PC Lock Screen

Peter Simcoe — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 12:49:47 +0000

Designing A Lock Screen

Toyota Motor Manufacturing challenged Simcoemedia to create a computer lock screen that would appear on all PCs on startup / login at their Deeside and Burnaston plants during July’s ‘Environment Month’. Several designs were submitted. The chosen solution was based on the shape of a hybrid engine design. It was developed with the assistance of generative AI tools to create the mountains, streams, forests and ocean found in a natural ecosystem. As you can see in the comparison image above, several key components of the hybrid engine can be clearly identified, providing visual cues regarding the orientation and structure of the engine which is useful to those less familiar with it.

The post Toyota Motor Manufacturing Environment Month PC Lock Screen first appeared on Simcoemedia.

AI | Simcoemedia

Building BelugaWatch – Experimenting With Coding Agents

From Visual Idea To Working Web App

Why Coding Agents Are Useful

Coding Robots

Does AI Create Lazy Designers?

Why This Matters For Freelancers

Developers Are Irreplaceable

The Bigger Creative Opportunity

7 Ethical Issues for Creatives Using Generative AI

Should I use generative AI for client work?

Do I need to disclose AI use to clients?

Should I use AI models trained on copyright material?

Is it ethical to use artist names in prompts?

Is AI replacing creative practitioners?

What impact is AI having on the environment?

What are the general principles of use?

Other Links

5 Useful Photoshop Features For Designers

1. Generative Fill and Generative Expand

Why designers like this

Using Generative Fill And Expand

2. Harmonize For Fast Compositing

Why designers like this

Using Harmonize

3. Generative Upscaling With Topaz Bloom

Why designers like this

Using Generative Upscale

4. Object Selection And Remove Distractions

Why Designers Like This

Using Find Distractions

5. New Color & Vibrance Adjustment Layer

Why Designers Like This

Using Colour And Vibrance Adjustment Layer

More About Generative AI

Understanding Video and Image Prompts For Generative AI

Writing Your Generative AI Prompt

Prompting Example

A Brief Guide To Prompting

From Guide To Practical Tool

Generative AI Prompt Guide

Generative AI Images

Adobe Firefly

Nano Banana 2

Midjourney

Flux

GPT Image

Generative AI Video

Adobe Firefly

Google Veo

Kling

Runway

Dream Machine

Similar Topics

Official Video Guidelines

Image Prompt Summary

AI Slop Is Degrading Social Media Ecosystems

What is AI Slop?

Examples

How Does AI Slop Degrade Social Media Ecosystems?

1. Devaluation of creative skill and experience

2. Misleading Benchmarks and Comparisons

3. Loss of Trust In Media Production

4. Algorithm Bias

5. Reputational Risk Via Association

6. Cynicism and Disengagement

Final Thoughts

Effective Use Of Generative AI In Creative Media Processes

1. Storyboarding and Creative Visual Exploration

2. Editing and Post-Production Assistance

3. Sound Effects, Atmospheric Ambience and Score Creation

Losing Your Creative Voice

Why Every Freelancer Should Experiment With Generative AI

1. Staying Ahead Of The Competition

2. Expanding Creative Possibilities

3. Increasing Productivity Without Increasing Costs

4. Attracting More Clients

5. Future-Proofing Your Career

Relevant Articles

AI Tutorials For Photographers, Designers And Video Producers