A Conversation w/ Alicia

CONVERSATIONS IN THE R+H CREATIVE HOUSE - E03

( FOUNDER'S NOTE )

“I first came across Alicia and her work at The Daily Atelier on Instagram, and we’ve been following each other for quite some time. Recently, she shared a carousel about creating with human intelligence in the age of AI, and it really resonated with me, so much so that it felt like a sign. The post explored the crucial difference between human and artificial intelligence in creative work.

Inspired by her ideas and perspective, this hour-long call for Conversations in the R+H Creative House, we explored human creativity in design with Alicia, discussing AI’s limits and how creatives can preserve soul and intention in their work, even in an era dominated by artificial intelligence.”

( Q1 )

How do you define “human intelligence” in design, and why do you think it will be the key differentiator in the future?

Alicia: “Human intelligence comes from lived experience, well-researched perspectives, and our opinions on what we want the world to look like. That’s something AI simply can’t replicate. For me, my process is driven by human opinions and perspectives long before I dive into visuals. I also rely on a broad library of physical references that aren’t available to AI models. This combination of experience, research, and intuition is what makes human creativity irreplaceable.”

R+H: “We agree. For us, human intelligence in design shows up in the way work is presented and communicated. A simple example is captions or copy: AI can generate something that looks polished, but if you take the time to really read it, you often notice a lack of depth and meaning. It may sound beautiful on the surface, but it doesn’t truly connect or convey intention. These subtle details are what reveal human intelligence and make creative work truly impactful.”

( Q2 )

You recently mentioned that condemning AI without offering alternatives isn’t helpful. Why do you think most designers take that approach?

Alicia: “The frustration is understandable. There’s been a lack of human oversight and concerning copyright issues arising from AI use, and many designers feel the need to react strongly. I think part of it is an inherent lack of respect for the creative process. Brands sometimes try to use AI without having a clear vision or understanding of the work a human brings to the table. Personally, I abhor AI for creative work, but condemning it won’t change end-user behavior when the tool is so easily accessible. For many businesses, it’s about perceived value and convenience.

As creatives, the real question is: what can you offer that’s more impactful than the speed and ease AI provides? If you can’t articulate that, you risk being left behind.”

( Q3 )

In your experience, what are the limitations of AI in creative work that most people overlook?

Alicia: “AI is fundamentally a statistical model. It can only produce what it has been trained on. There’s a huge world of references and nuance it simply doesn’t know, so it can’t replicate everything. AI can be useful if you already have a strong methodology or pre-existing vision, because you know what to prompt it for. But if you’re a beginner in the creative industry, it will magnify what you don’t know, and your creative output will be limited.”

( Q4 )

Can AI ever create work with soul, or is there an inherent human element that machines cannot replicate?

Alicia: “I define ‘work with soul’ as an internal, emotional expression of the creator. Humans recognize that in each other, but AI, by nature, lacks emotion. I don’t see how it could create work that truly resonates on a human level. I’m open to being proven wrong, but even if it did, I doubt other humans could genuinely relate to it.”

R+H: “We definitely agree with Alicia. A simple example for us is imagery: AI-generated images might look visually appealing, but you can often feel a lack of depth, and the storytelling is less rich in detail. While AI can offer quick solutions, the emotion and soul that come from a human creator (the subtle imperfections, and context) simply can’t be replicated. That depth is what makes work truly resonate.”

( Q5 )

How do you see AI impacting the role of designers and creative directors in the next 5–10 years? Will we all be ‘jobless’?

Alicia: “For designers whose processes are anchored in human emotion and thought, I think they’ll remain essential. AI can be an interesting ideation partner, but the ability to bring ideas to life physically, beyond screens, is a skill most digital designers lack. Those who rely purely on AI risk losing relevance, while those who emphasize human creativity will continue to thrive.”

R+H: “We don’t believe creatives will become jobless, but we do think there’s a real risk of becoming indistinguishable.What we see happening is a shift where human creativity becomes the true differentiator. At the same time, we anticipate that many brands will begin positioning themselves as ‘human-made’ or ‘intentionally crafted’ as a way to stand out. Because of that, it will become even more important to be mindful of what, and who, you support.

In the end, we don’t think AI replaces creatives, but it does raise the standard. It pushes creatives to be more intentional, more distinctive, and more deeply connected to their work.”

( Q6 )

Is there a risk that luxury or high-end brands might start valuing efficiency and speed over human-led creativity because of AI?

Alicia: “For some digital touchpoints, perhaps. But I don’t see luxury or couture brands fully adopting AI. Take a couturier spending 400 hours on a single garment. It feels disingenuous to market that with an AI-first approach. AI might support certain marketing workflows, but overusing AI, especially with front-facing creative, risks cheapening a brand’s identity and I don’t see that happening with true luxury brands.”

( Q7 )

How do you personally balance using AI tools (if at all) while keeping your work human-centered and intentional?

Alicia: “I’m not against AI for productivity tasks like organization or logic-based work, but I don’t use it for ideation, writing, or creative expression. Studies show that relying on AI can reduce critical thinking and creative ability, so I maintain human-centered practices to keep my work intentional.”

R+H: “For us, we use AI for automation, structure, and organization, especially to streamline workflows and save time where it genuinely makes a difference. However, when it comes to anything client-facing (communication, creative direction, design, or copy) we intentionally keep it 100% human. We believe you can feel the difference when something is created with intention and care. Yes, it may take more time, more conversations, more back-and-forth, but that’s exactly what creates depth, clarity, and trust. For us, it’s about using AI to support the structure, while protecting the human experience at every meaningful touchpoint.”

( Q8 )

Do you think the current design community underestimates the need to train human creativity?

Alicia: “Absolutely. Many creatives focus too heavily on mastering AI tools and not enough on human-centered creative methods, especially for client work. There’s often a skill gap in articulating a point of view, incorporating client perspectives, and developing methodology. If creatives fail in these areas, AI may seem like a shortcut, but it won’t mask a lack of mastery in those areas, and it definitely doesn’t replace foundational skills.”

( Q9 )

Do you think human-crafted work will become simple and plain if everyone keeps focusing on AI?

Alicia: “In some ways, yes, as has happened with every technological era. As AI lowers the barrier to making, it raises the bar on discernment. Without a developed sense of taste, output tends toward the generic; in the hands of someone with a clear point of view, the same tools can produce work that is complex and distinct. By developing your own taste and perspective, you’ll be able to create beyond trends and AI, ensuring that human-crafted work remains rich and meaningful.”

( Q10 )

Have you ever had to push back against a client or team member who wanted to rely on AI instead of human creativity?

Alicia: “Yes, often for cost-cutting reasons, such as replacing photography with AI images. I usually refuse requests to fully replace human creativity. AI can sometimes supplement a process, but I insist on human oversight and editing. If there’s no budget constraint, I always advocate for human-made work first.”

R+H: “We haven’t necessarily had to push back in a strict way, but we’ve definitely worked with clients who initially wanted to rely heavily on AI, for images, copywriting, and even planning.

What we’ve seen, though, is that in many cases, they end up investing a similar amount of money, just in a different way. Instead of putting that budget into growth, a real photoshoot, or working with a copywriter, it goes into AI-generated assets that often lack depth or longevity.

We always try to guide clients toward a more balanced approach. AI can absolutely support certain parts of the process, but it doesn’t need to replace everything. At the end of the day, even AI requires human input.”

( Q11 )

How do you envision a future where designers collaborate with AI without losing their own voice?

Alicia: “Have your own perspective and opinions first, without leaning on AI. Then AI can act as an efficient partner. It should augment, not replace, human creativity.”

( Last Q )

Any advice for young designers entering a world dominated by AI-generated content?

Alicia: “Focus on learning skills beyond AI, develop your taste, and cultivate critical thinking. Don’t let AI shortcuts replace your own creative development.”

R+H: “AI can generate outputs, but it can’t replace taste, intuition, or lived experience. Those are things you build over time by creating, experimenting, and sometimes getting it wrong. For young designers, our advice would be to stay curious, step away from the screen when needed, and focus on building something that feels true to you.”

( FINAL THOUGHTS )

How should we be balancing human creativity with AI tools?

Alicia: “Remember that AI is just a tool. Explore non-digital ways of creating, notice patterns in what you like or dislike, and understand why. This builds your taste and ensures human creativity stays at the forefront.”

R+H: “We completely agree with this. AI can be a powerful tool to expand ideas and bring clarity, especially during the early stages of brainstorming or structuring thoughts. At the same time, it’s important to know when to step back and lead the process yourself, rather than relying on the tool to do the thinking for you. For us, the balance comes from using AI to support the process, not define it, ensuring that the core ideas, perspective, and creative direction always come from a human place.”

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Thank you so much for reading, and a huge thank you to Alicia for taking the time to share her thoughts and for such an open, honest conversation.

Over the upcoming weeks, we will be sharing more conversations with team members, partners, and creatives in the industry, but if you are (or know) someone who aligns with this perspective, tag them in the IG comments or reach out directly. We’d love to invite them to have a conversation with us.

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