How I Use AI to Bring My Crazy Ideas to Life

How I Use AI to Bring My Crazy Ideas to Life

I've always had a head overflowing with fun, weird, and often ridiculous ideas, especially at the intersection of strength and nerd culture. But, until recently, there was one huge roadblock: my artistic abilities peaked at drawing stick figures.

Seriously, stick figures are about the peak of my natural artistic talent.

But here's the cool part: thanks to AI, I can finally bring my wild ideas to life. After a life of not having the skills to match my ambitions, it feels incredibly good to finally have a creative outlet.

I want to be clear, this isn't about replacing talented artists. Human artists are incredible, and their skill and creativity can't be overstated. I'm not competing with or undermining that artistry. Instead, think of AI as my creative partner, helping me translate the weird and wonderful things in my imagination into actual designs you can wear.

Why AI?

Because ideas shouldn't be trapped in your head. With AI, I've found a way to express concepts that would otherwise remain stuck forever. It lets me explore designs rapidly, tweak endlessly, and ultimately share something I'm proud of, even though my personal drawing skills would leave you laughing (or cringing).

The Real Work Behind the Scenes

Don't think for a second that AI just magically spits out perfect designs with one click. There's genuine effort involved, lots of trial, error, adjustments, and, yes, some frustration. I spend hours tweaking prompts, refining concepts, and fine-tuning the final results so they align perfectly with the Critical Lifts vibe. AI might generate the lines, but every concept, every detail, every style decision, that's still all me.

Respect for Traditional Artistry

I'm deeply aware there's a sensitive conversation around AI art right now. Many talented artists worry about AI taking jobs, diminishing creativity, or diluting authenticity. These concerns are valid, and I respect them completely.

But that's exactly why I'm open about my process. I want to acknowledge the amazing talent out there and clarify my intentions upfront: this isn't about replacing human art. It’s about complementing it. It's about enabling creativity from someone who otherwise couldn't share his visions.

An Invitation

If you've read this far, you're probably someone who genuinely cares about how things get made. So let's keep the conversation going. What do you think about using AI for creative projects? Is it empowering or problematic, or somewhere in between?

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. Now if you'll excuse me, I have another bizarre idea for a lifting-themed t-shirt bouncing around in my head...

Keep it heavy,

-Brandon Critical Lifts