Conference Designing Spaces Concept Art
ON SITE Meidinger-Saal Tuesday, May 06, 14:30

Putting the i in AI - A Practical Perspective

My talk delves into my journey of exploring and adapting AI tools into my workflow as an image creator. In concept and matte painting spaces, AI can act as both a disruptor and an enabler, presenting unique opportunities and challenges that raise several critical considerations, particularly around copyright, originality, and its practicality within a production workspace. In this discussion, I will share a detailed look at what this workflow means for me—how I responsibly and effectively integrate AI tools into my creative process and what potential advancements these tools hold for my future as a painter.

This session offers a glimpse into my artistic process, the specific tools I use, and how I apply them in practical and production-ready ways. While AI is often discussed in abstract or theoretical terms, it is crucial to acknowledge its direct impact on artists and their creative work. Through my presentation, I aim to share my reflections, considerations, and experiences with AI. I will highlight the cautions, strategies, and innovations I employ to ensure AI is used thoughtfully, empowering my creativity rather than detracting from it.

 

Yvonne Muinde

Yvonne Muinde, Concept artist, Digital Matte Painter // Fine Artist, Ikweta Arts

Originally from Nairobi, Kenya, Yvonne Muinde is an accomplished fine artist, muralist, and visual effects artist. Her educational foundation lies in Fine Art, a field she excelled in from the start of her career. Yvonne began by showcasing her artwork in galleries and exhibitions across the San Francisco Bay Area, New Zealand, and Canada. She has also worked as a muralist on both commercial and public art projects, including a notable commission for the Blair Caldwell African American Museum and Library in Denver.

In 2003, Yvonne transitioned to the world of digital matte painting and visual effects, collaborating with Academy Award-winning directors on several high-profile films. Her professional journey has taken her to leading visual effects studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Animal Logic, Weta Digital, and Scanline VFX. She has also served as a Matte Painting and Environments Department Supervisor at various companies and continues to work as a remote freelance matte painter and concept artist based in Nairobi.

Her exceptional contributions to the industry were recognized in 2009 when she and her team received the Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Matte Painting for their work on Avatar.

Upon returning to Kenya, Yvonne established her own visual effects studio, Ikweta Arts, with the mission of producing world-class visual effects and nurturing local creative talent. Ikweta Arts is committed to educating, cultivating, and building a thriving visual effects community on the African continent.

Through the French government’s Création Africa Project, Yvonne spearheaded the inaugural Visual Effects Creative Festival in Nairobi, Kenya, held on April 5–6, 2024. This groundbreaking event marked a significant step toward fostering innovation and collaboration in Africa’s visual effects industry.