** [ ] artificial (intelligence) camera

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly becoming both, a threat to, and a part of the creative design process. Many designers are feeling pressured to become prompt engineers, guiding AI systems to craft design outputs. Yet, the text-based prompt interfaces of these systems don’t necessarily match the process of many creative practitioners. The ** [ ] artificial (intelligence) camera set out to create an intuitive, natural, spontaneous, interface for exploring generative AI while giving the creative practitioner agency in the process. Enabling creatives to get out from behind the computer and create inspiring ‘images’ and creative inspiration out in the world.

We wanted to explore how creatives could engage with AI in natural, spontaneous, and creative ways. Many AI systems operate behind the scenes in our creative processes, for example, smartphone cameras use AI to improve our images without our input and knowledge. We decided to bring this emerging element of creative practice into the open, creating an explicitly AI camera that could be a tool for research and conversations about the changing nature of creativity. Throughout the design process, we used generative AI systems for ideation, pairing our traditional design skills with AI to co-design, develop and execute our ideas.

The largest impact was on us as designers through first-hand experimentation with AI. We initially thought AI would generate camera designs. Although it produced visually rich images, we found these to be generic design. We introduced image-based prompting to help refine our direction. While inputting a microphone image, and prompting for a camera, the AI unexpectedly returned a pixelated dot viewfinder. This feature inspired us, we liked the idea of the viewfinder showing only an impression, giving the feeling of guiding the creative process. The camera enables similar, surprising, first-hand creative explorations that provoke conversation about the future of design.

The ** [ ] artificial (intelligence) camera is a generative AI image generator housed within a physical device reminiscent of a vintage Polaroid camera. This innovative camera prints AI-generated images instantly when you press the shutter while pointing at a subject. Its unique pixelated viewfinder, co-designed with generative AI, provides a digital impression of what the camera ”sees,” fostering creative exploration through framing the shot and feeding real-world scenes in as the ‘prompt’. Users can adjust dials on the device to select various image styles, from sketches to photography, tweaking the prompts with preset parameters. Designed with a retro-futuristic aesthetic that echoes the early 2000s’ space-age optimism, the camera features a seamless blend of high-quality CNC-machined aluminium and plastics with 3D-printed details. Despite its familiar look, complete with traditional dials and shutters, the camera intriguingly lacks a visible lens and has an unusual digital viewfinder, highlighting its advanced, somewhat eerie nature. This blend of intuitive, old-school interaction and cutting-edge technology makes the device approachable, it is intuitive and fun to use, engaging the public and creative practitioners with AI, away from a computer. Through providing first-hand experience the ..(_) AI Camera stimulates discussions about the future of AI in creative practices.