AI is here to stay! Our roles as creatives will evolve

Hello! 👋

Welcome to the second edition of She Got You!, a newsletter in which I share my conversations with women who create, make a difference, and are building the workplaces of the future.

Today's conversation is with Ketki Jadhav, a former colleague-turned-friend. Ketki and I worked together for over a year, building and scaling a media publication together. Ketki is a visual design lead who cares about what she builds and how it impacts those around her. Outside work, she is a fabulous creator who sings and makes art and music. 

With around nine years of experience, working with Ketki is a marketer's dream colleague, and a may I saw a chauvinist's nightmare (righly so)? So many brilliant conversations I've had with this one, and I'm telling you here's why she's got you. 👇

Sunaina: Please tell me about yourself and what inspires you to create. 

Ketki: If I were to fit myself into a resume-friendly package, you could say I've been passionately immersed in the visual design world for over nine years. However, I'm more than just that. For as long as I can remember, I've always had this unexplainable urge to create constantly. Count me in if something can be redesigned, reimagined, or improved. Whether painting my house, crafting furniture, designing clothes or shoes — anything within my surroundings — I try to infuse them with my unique touch. Music is another passion I enthusiastically explore, adding another layer to my creative pursuits. 

Today, as a designer, I draw inspiration from the intricate beauty of my surroundings: nature, human experiences, and the sheer diversity of life. What intrigues me is when individuals push boundaries and venture beyond conventional norms to craft something extraordinary. Observing their innovative endeavours becomes a personal challenge — a call to delve deeper, to explore and see if I can come up with equally compelling ideas.

Creating is not just a job to me; it's a personal journey of acceptance and continuous exploration. 

Sunaina: You and I have spoken about AI a lot, and we realise that AI isn't after our jobs. But how do you see AI helping you? Do you consider it an ally or foe? 

Ketki: I believe the perception of AI as a threat largely stems from content creators on social media who portray it as the story's villain, out to snatch our gigs. They love showing off AI, whipping up impressive stuff with just a few clicks. But here's the scoop — it's all for those views and likes; it's not the whole picture. 

While the AI landscape is evolving rapidly, it's no match for the real deal — human creativity and intuition — the essential elements behind truly groundbreaking work. Similar fears arose when Adobe tools were introduced, with concerns that widespread access would diminish the need for designers. However, I believe the fear of tools often stems from the reluctance to upgrade and learn new skills. 

Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay, and our roles as creatives will evolve significantly. Instead of fearing it, we should embrace and leverage it to streamline our creative processes. For instance, I use AI to refine image backgrounds, curate photographs for brands, write emails, and do basic research — tasks that would otherwise consume hours. This not only amplifies productivity but also frees up time for more exciting projects. AI can be used to do things you don't enjoy doing. 

Sunaina: What's that one misconception about a visual designer that you'd like to break? 

Ketki: Thinking they make things look good; it's way more than that. Visual designers are the storytellers in the digital world. It's not just about the visual appeal; it's about crafting an entire experience for the user. Every element, colour, and layout is meticulously chosen to guide the user through a narrative. They're creating a journey, ensuring everything catches your eye and resonates with you deeper. 

There's a ton of strategy involved and parameters to consider (e.g., the client's time and budget), but unfortunately, most folks see the final creative. That's why some think it's a walk in the park. Trust me, spending hours on iterations, dealing with constant rejections, and wading through a sea of personal opinions is sometimes challenging! 

Sunaina: Has your gender ever been a disadvantage at work? If yes, can you share an incident and how you dealt with it? 

Ketki: You know, being a woman at work, I've faced my fair share of challenges. There would be moments when it seemed like I was invisible — people either talked over me, ignored what I was saying or didn't acknowledge my contributions. It's disheartening because it creates this persistent feeling that you must raise your voice to get the recognition you deserve. As an introvert, that's not my second nature. 

Also, let's talk about pitching ideas — it's wild how sometimes I can pitch the same thing as a guy, but my words carry less weight. It's not just about competence; it goes as far as how you look and dress. Apparently, looking a certain way makes some folks doubt your ability to handle a managerial role. 

Finding the right balance is tricky. If you're kind, some people see it as an open invitation to walk all over you. But if you're stern, suddenly, you've got an "attitude" or, you know, people assume it's that time of the month. It's this constant game of proving yourself. 

And don't even get me started on the infamous "Boys Club". It feels like there's this exclusive circle, and you can't be a part of it if you're not a man; you end up missing out on opportunities. Recently, I've mustered the courage to call people out on these things, but it's daunting and an uphill battle. Sometimes, you get so accustomed to this dynamic that distinguishing right from wrong becomes challenging. Confronting these biases is a journey, but it needs to happen. We've got to challenge these stereotypes together to make the workplace a fair playing field based on skills, not gender. 

Sunaina: There has been much debate about period leaves at work. Do you have any thoughts on this? 

Ketki: It's a bit perplexing why some folks see taking period leaves as some advantage for people with uteruses. I mean, do they genuinely believe we're having a picnic while enduring the constant feeling of being stabbed in the stomach, along with diarrhoea and headaches? And honestly, I don't think this topic should be up for debate. People who menstruate can't dodge this natural bodily function, and many these days deal with conditions that cause debilitating pain. So, it only makes sense to have paid time off during periods similar to maternity leaves. 

Sure, some women might misuse it, but you can't let others suffer because of it. I've heard people suggest including period leaves in sick leaves, but menstruation isn't a sickness, and having a separate leave also helps reduce the taboo against it. It's a step towards normalising periods and the pain associated with them, making it easier for everyone to talk about and understand. 

Sunaina: One woman who inspires you and why? 

Ketki: It's quite a challenge to narrow it down to just one, but if I had to spotlight the top two inspiring individuals from my list now, they'd undoubtedly be Jessica Walsh and Belle Sisoski. These women embody strength and determination, pursuing their aspirations with relentless commitment. I hold immense admiration for Jessica, not only for her groundbreaking work in the creative industry but also for her dedicated initiatives addressing inequalities within the field. Taking her advocacy to the next level, she has founded ventures committed to breaking down sexism in graphic design, destigmatizing mental health, and empowering women to attain their creative goals. 

On the other hand, Belle, a versatile talent as a DJ, producer, singer/songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, is renowned for her captivating one-woman show. Her ability to blend ethnic instruments and cinematic music creates an enchanting ambience. Witnessing her artistic prowess in action is undeniably a treat! 

So, that was my conversation with Ketki. If you found this intriguing, go follow her on LinkedIn. I’ll be back with another conversation soon.