Billy Sorrentino

So my colleague Rachel M. noted that you can now ask questions of books on the O’Reilly site. I hopped on and asked a question of the free e-book I coauthored with Gretchen Anderson about Pair Design. *ON THE IDEA* 😃 Pretty cool. Akin to the “ask a document” in Adobe Acrobat. Turning a book into an agent for human inquiry of that book’s content is a nifty use of the summarization capabilities of LLMs. Many people learn by Q&A better than they do from committing a week to read something, so it seems like a humane augmentation. ❓ I don’t make a living off my books (especially free e-books) but authors who do might take issue with the bot’s potential sabotage of sales. *ON THE IMPLEMENTATION* 🤔 Nobody asked me, as an author, if I was OK with this. I’m not mad, but it seems like that should be required. 💡 As one of the authors, if the question points strongly towards our book, I’d like the option to provide the answer *myself* if the LLM’s confidence is low (say, below 85%). Better: Say confidence is low, ask if the user would like to see the low-confidence answer anyway, and ask if they’d like the system to ping the authors to see if they can provide a better answer. If the author has declined or otherwise unavailable, say that. 🤔 After tooling around, it appears this bot applies to all of O’Reilly, but summoned only from the context of a book. That sets bad expectations. 🤔 It didn’t ask for pre-approval on the books that might be included in “additional sources.” I don’t need our book to be the sole source of information on a topic, *but* if a person comes to a specific book page to ask a question, I’d presume that they want the answer that that book provides. And I certainly don’t want someone to misinterpret us as having said something from another author! (Both to give credit where credit is due, and because I don’t want my name on unthought-through concepts.) If the book doesn’t completely answer the question and another book can bridge the gap, sure, add it, but also explain why it needed to augment beyond the source book, and which parts of the answer are from which sources. Maybe if the person was asking an O’Reilly bot (out of the context of a particular book) it could pull from wherever it needed to, but not on an individual book page. 😢 The answer was not great. After asking for “the top 3 tips for someone wanting to get into Pair Design” it listed benefits, key traits, and organizational support before getting to a paragraph on implementing pair design, which was somewhat faithful to the book, but was certainly not, you know, 3, and not what I’d consider the top ones. This can almost certainly be resolved with a more capable model, so hopefully this is a temporary problem. ------------------------------ tl;dr: AI needs design.

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"Those who can't do, teach." Or do they? Today, I will be ➤ reviewing projects and giving art direction instructions to our designers and ➤ prepping a 14Minds behavioral health imagery "work with me" session (stay tuned) and ➤ running an AI imagery training session for designers in the healthcare space. I will also be researching. And generating. And designing. Among lots of other things. This butchered version of Aristotle's eloquence has always sat in the back of my brain, holding me back from giving 1000% of myself to publicly teaching and sharing on a professional scale. I don't know if there's truth to it. I always wonder. #Design #Mentorship #Growth #Teaching

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If you have ever been interested in learning: - the skills to solve today's (and tomorrow's) business problems - how to use the principles of design to build better, more impactful products and experiences - and SO MUCH MORE do yourself a favor, and go to a DMBA information session. I cannot hype this program enough.

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This project brings together bold, expressive illustrations and impactful typography to communicate messages about presence, identity, and inner reflection. Using vibrant colors and stylized characters, each design element plays a role in exploring themes like "living in the moment," "existence," and "the voice of silence." The project showcases a unique blend of cartoon-like faces with exaggerated features, creating a distinct, edgy style. Paired with custom lettering that blends modern and retro aesthetics, the visuals evoke a sense of rebellion, introspection, and humor. From character designs to catchy phrases, each composition has been crafted to captivate viewers, sparking thought and resonating with a sense of individuality. This project is an invitation to pause, reflect, and engage with the moment—a core philosophy of our studio's creative approach.

Friends, soliciting your help! I'm looking to have a conversation with someone that can help me identify the best tools for AI image generation, specifically tools that facilitate robust "training" of the model via uploading source/reference images in order to control the style/genre of the generated artwork. "Hey, give me an image for each of these words but in this style." "Now give me this word in the same style." Rinse and repeat... My team has explored a few tools but we're not yet satisfied ;) Reply in the comments or DM me if you have any leads! I'd love to talk to someone with experience with several tools along with insights into the prompt engineering and successful customized results. #aiimagegeneration #design #illustration

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Arting Every Day – Wendland Digital Art A Surreal Synthesis of Fine Art Photography, Digital Art, and Abstract Impressionism Hans Wendland's latest Digital Art piece, derived from photos included in the Boston Lo-Fi Series, pushes the boundaries of contemporary digital art by blending the emotional depth of Abstract Impressionism with the structured realism of Fine Art Photography. This digital work evokes a profound sense of unease and intrigue, capturing the raw essence of urban isolation while inviting the viewer to question the line between reality and abstraction. Through the use of low-fidelity photography and advanced digital manipulation, Wendland creates a composition that resonates with themes of loss, fear, and discomfort, set against a cityscape that feels both familiar and alien. Wendland's choice of a monochromatic palette is crucial to the symbolism of this work. The subdued shades of grey, black, and white strip the city of its vibrancy, leaving only stark, skeletal structures behind. This absence of color serves as a metaphor for the emotional barrenness of urban existence, where human presence is felt through its very absence. The darkened, shadowy buildings, juxtaposed with the lighter, hazy sky, heighten the feeling of abandonment and disconnection. The palette's starkness further emphasizes the rigidity and coldness of the city's architecture, creating a sense of oppressive isolation. The monochrome here, unlike in many traditional works, does not simplify the composition but deepens the emotional impact, offering layers of interpretation about the alienation inherent in modern life. Wendland expertly captures urban isolation in this piece, where the emptiness of the streets and the looming, dilapidated buildings convey an unsettling atmosphere of abandonment. The lack of human activity within the cityscape evokes a palpable sense of loss and fear. The viewer is confronted with a city devoid of life, creating an emotional void that is echoed in the composition's stark geometry. There is a constant tension between the familiarity of the urban structures and the overwhelming absence of life, leading to feelings of discomfort, curiosity, and anxiety. This emotional depth is a testament to Wendland’s ability to manipulate the digital medium in a way that transcends mere depiction and taps into the psychological realities of urban life. In the broader context of the Digital Art and Lo-Fi Photography movements, Wendland’s work stands out for its seamless integration of photography and abstract elements. While many digital artists focus on hyper-realistic or highly stylized compositions, Wendland’s choice to degrade the image through low-fidelity techniques aligns with the more experimental and abstract tendencies within Lo-Fi Photography...

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I just read Longing for Less: Living with Minimalism by Kyle Chayka, and it got me thinking about the power of minimalism—not just in art and architecture that you hear so much about, but in how we experience the world. Chayka's core message is that minimalism isn't just about reducing clutter—it's about creating space for clarity, intentionality, and deeper meaning... principles that really resonate with me and the UX design discipline. Here are some thoughts looking at Minimalism through the lens of user experience design: https://lnkd.in/gnmJGfyM

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On Art Inspiration, Copyright, and the Role of AI Companies. — 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵. Ideas don't blossom in isolation; they're cultivated from previous concepts and experiences. Often, breakthroughs stem from a synthesis of existing knowledge, where ideas are reshaped, combined, or reimagined. Even seemingly revolutionary concepts have roots in earlier discoveries, theories, or cultural influences. The Cubism movement, for instance, drew inspiration from Paul Cézanne's late works, where he depicted subjects from multiple viewpoints. Similarly, Pablo Picasso found inspiration in the stylized forms of African tribal masks. Artists typically begin their creative process by seeking inspiration from various sources such as online platforms, museums, books, or galleries. Inspiration is an ongoing journey influenced by personal encounters, exposure to diverse art forms, cultural shifts, technological advancements, and societal changes. Each of these elements contributes to the creative landscape in its unique way. In the realm of AI, the same principle applies—building upon existing knowledge rather than starting from scratch. 𝗔𝗜 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. The remarkable artworks of @refikanadol and @bottoproject, for example, are not born from nothing; They come from many different kinds of art, perhaps including yours. However, a significant challenge lies in content licensing for AI companies. They must demonstrate that their models serve as sources of inspiration rather than mere replicators. At the same time, they must encourage continuous content creation to fuel their models' growth. This dilemma prompts questions about the balance between automation and human creativity, as well as concerns about the potential standardization of artistic styles in the digital era. As @paulg once pondered, "If AI-produced illustrations replace handmade drawings, will future images forever reflect the illustration trends of 2020?

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Like musicians who love to get stuck into music gear, here's a survey for designers who love to get stuck into their tools of the trade.

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Arting Every Day – Wendland Digital Art In this new piece, I’ve taken inspiration from my *Boston Lo-Fi Series*, extrapolating and combining multiple low-fidelity photographs into a cohesive digital composition. This artwork captures the structural rhythm of Boston’s urban core, transforming its familiar buildings into abstract forms that feel both real and surreal. Using new digital tools and technology, I blurred the boundaries between reality and abstraction to evoke a layered, dreamlike cityscape. The interplay of light and shadow draws attention to the city’s complex geometry, while the monochromatic tones punctuated by muted highlights reflect the starkness and isolation of modern urban life. This piece invites viewers to confront the tension between order and chaos, structured forms and emotional ambiguity. The gritty textures and softened edges mirror the imperfections of life in a bustling metropolis, while the abstraction introduces an element of curiosity, disorientation, and intrigue. I’m excited to share this piece, which represents a fusion of photography, digital artistry, and the timeless emotion of Abstract Impressionism. My latest Digital Art collection can be viewed here: https://lnkd.in/etUjSKZr where my digital art can be purchased on museum-quality high-resolution large format prints. #ArtingEveryDay #WendlandDigitalArt #HansWendland #DigitalArt #AbstractImpressionism #LoFiPhotography #UrbanAbstraction #BostonLoFiSeries #CityscapeArt #UrbanIsolation #MonochromaticArt #EmotionalArt #PhotographicAbstraction #GrittyTextures #SurrealCityscapes #RealityAndAbstraction #ModernCityLife #ContemporaryDigitalArt #DreamlikeUrbanScenes #VisualStorytelling #FineArtPrints #DigitalExpression #CityLightsArt

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Check out my new article, Quality won't save designers from AI

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Ever wonder where a side project might lead you? See what happened with ThickPickle.com 🥒✨ 🌎 Study Hall, a design studio from Oakland, CA, transformed a fun idea about pickles into a showcase of their design brilliance and vision. ⚠️ This highlights the power of side projects in our professional journeys—especially in creative fields. They're more than hobbies; they're innovation playgrounds where we can flex our creative muscles without constraints. → In our daily work, we focus on client expectations and briefs. Side projects let our true capabilities and unique visions shine, allowing us to experiment, take risks, and grow professionally. So here's a small poke to all creatives: adopt those wild ideas. Start that side project. Let your imagination run free—you never know, it might just be the next big dill! 🥒🚀 #creative #webdesign #inspiration #SideProjects #Design #innovation #CreativeThinking #ProfessionalDevelopment #DesignThinking

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This is so disrespectful to all real animators, CGI artists and real film makers. A bunch of random moving images with no story, plot or characters behind them. This is nothing close to film making, so please people, don't pretend that spending hours behind a keyboard creating prompts is. Film making is art. Art is about self expression. None of this is self expression. Just random computer generated images that have zero meaning.

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Resistance, recovery, reflection, and reimagination. Tara Hedayat-Zadeh, Design Researcher at THRIVE, explored these bold themes at the Design Research Society's conference in Boston. From centering care in tech to building trust and accountability, her insights shed light on the future of design research. Discover her key takeaways here: https://hubs.ly/Q02_syhr0 #DesignResearch #Innovation #thrivethinking

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Arting Every Day - Wendland Fine Art Photography In this piece from my Lo-Fi Series, I explore the organic chaos and mystery contained within a simple object: a tangle of plant roots overflowing from a pot. Through a low-resolution lens, the photograph abandons conventional sharpness, inviting the viewer to focus on the impressionistic quality of the forms and textures rather than specific details. The softness and blur evoke an almost tactile response, where the viewer can feel the knotted complexity of the roots, allowing the mind to wander into abstract interpretations of entanglement, resilience, and growth. The monochromatic palette reinforces the photograph’s emotional tone, removing the distraction of color and instead emphasizing contrasts in light and shadow. The light, which bleaches the edges of the roots, creates a dreamlike, almost ghostly effect that blurs the line between reality and abstraction. This is a theme often seen in my Lo-Fi work, where ambiguity serves to engage the viewer's imagination, challenging them to find familiarity in distorted forms. In the broader context of Lo-Fi photography, this piece contributes a unique perspective by transforming the mundane into the mysterious. Where traditional Lo-Fi often focuses on urban landscapes or human figures, I explore nature's hidden intricacies within a controlled, domestic space. This approach has an unexpected intimacy; the chaotic sprawl of roots becomes a metaphor for life's unseen complexities, growth in confinement, and resilience in unlikely places. This is reminiscent of the abstract qualities seen in the works of photographers like Daido Moriyama, who capture familiar subjects through unfamiliar lenses, creating evocative, emotional responses in the viewer. The Lo-Fi medium itself adds a gritty texture to the photograph, speaking to the tangibility of organic materials. This rough, unpolished look imbues the roots with a primal, almost ancient quality as if they are fossils preserved within their ceramic confinement. The effect is simultaneously unsettling and intriguing, evoking a sense of nature's persistent and untamed presence, even in an artificial setting. Through this photograph, I aim to provoke reflection on themes of confinement and perseverance, exploring how nature adapts and thrives under limitations—a concept that speaks to both environmental and human resilience. This image, like many in my series, stands as a testament to finding beauty and intrigue within imperfection and simplicity, celebrating the unpredictability that comes with embracing low fidelity. All Photography - https://lnkd.in/eidV57q Around The World - https://bit.ly/3xcFQrs Portraits - https://lnkd.in/dFTi-MC2 Digital Art - https://lnkd.in/ec_Bj5JQ The Polaroid Philosopher - https://lnkd.in/ej-Grcna

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Visionary organizations are reimagining creative talent discovery. They understand that brilliance comes in many voices. By fostering inclusive design environments, they're creating tomorrow's groundbreaking innovations today.

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🌟 Exciting News from The Symbol Group! 🌟 We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming symposium, a melting pot for creative minds and forward-thinkers in the world of design, educators, researchers and communication. This is more than just an event—it's a movement! 🔗 Join us as we delve into the future of design, with an emphasis on how symbols shape our daily lives and our understanding of the world. Whether you’re a designer, educator, strategist, or simply someone who's passionate about the impact of visual communication, we want you to be part of this transformative experience. 🗣️ Why attend? Here’s why: Engage with a diverse community of thought leaders and innovators. Explore the evolving role of symbols in digital and physical realms. Share your voice and ideas in discussions that could define the next wave of communication strategies. 🌍 We're dedicated to fostering a truly international dialogue, because understanding symbols is universal, transcending borders and cultures. Let’s come together to craft the future of our visual language. 💬 We invite YOU to be an integral part of this journey. What symbols have captured your imagination recently? How do you see them evolving in the next decade? 👉 Reserve your spot now! symbol-24.org Join: thesymbolgroup (thank you to those that have already joined us) Let’s make waves. Let’s redefine design. Together. #SymbolSymposium #DesignTheFuture #VisualCommunication

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