Meet Mervi!
Mervi Laakso-Leppänen (IG: @ai.vriendly), is a creative professional and entrepreneur from Helsinki, Finland, who has recently ventured into the world of AI art. Mervi's AI-generated artworks often capture the beauty in everyday scenes, playing with light and perspective to offer fresh interpretations of the familiar. In this interview, Mervi shares insights into her artistic process, her inspirations, and her vision for the future of AI in art and design.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got interested in AI art?
I am Mervi Laakso-Leppänen, an entrepreneur and creative professional based in Helsinki, Finland - working with lifestyle, design, and fashion brands. With over 15 years of experience in strategic brand development, creative concepting, marketing communications, and graphic design, I recently expanded my skills by graduating as an interior designer. Throughout my career, I've always been drawn to unconventional ideas that redefine what's possible. This curiosity naturally led me to explore the possibilities of AI.
My journey with AI began earlier this year when I enrolled in a course tailored for creative professionals. Immediately captivated by its potential, I immersed myself in learning and discovering how AI can enhance my creativity and problem-solving. For me, when something sparks my interest, I dive in headfirst. AI has been instrumental in unlocking new creative dimensions, allowing me to further experiment and explore my personal artistic voice. It's not just a tool but a catalyst that encourages me to think differently and explore new realms of inspiration for my client projects as well.
Who or what are your artistic inspirations, and if you had the opportunity to collaborate with any artist, who would it be, and why?
I find beauty in the most ordinary things, often discovering compositions or capturing photographic moments ”in my head” where others might overlook. The play of light is a constant fascination for me, and I'm captivated by how it can transform everyday scenes into something extraordinary. Where some may perceive ugliness, I often uncover beauty; where others see brokenness, I see stories of resilience and life. This perspective has always served as a powerful fuel for my creativity. I like to create designs and visuals that feel familiar yet offer a fresh perspective, inviting viewers to look deeper.
If given the opportunity, I would be thrilled to do an AI-fueled collaboration with some of the most iconic Finnish creatives.
Jean Sibelius, the composer whose music captures the essence of Finnish landscapes and emotions.
Alvar Aalto, the visionary architect known for his organic forms and human-centered design principles.
Helene Schjerfbeck, celebrated for her evocative portraits and unique artistic style that challenges conventional norms.
Tove Jansson, the writer and illustrator whose Moomin stories have enchanted generations worldwide.
How do you approach the creative process when working with AI?
Approaching the creative process with AI is a journey of exploration and discovery for me. When I encounter creative blocks, AI serves as a helpful tool for brainstorming and ideation. It swiftly generates a myriad of ideas, offering fresh perspectives and unexpected combinations that inspire new creative directions. This approach has been crucial in overcoming my own creative barriers by introducing unpredictability and sparking ideas that traditional methods might not uncover.
Despite my enthusiasm for AI's creative potential, I have mixed feelings about its impact. I find AI both intimidating and captivating, particularly in how it could reshape society in the future. It may not always be that good. And there is a part of me advocating that people need more “analog” in their life!
Personally, I value AI for its ability to enhance creativity and streamline processes. Moreover, I see AI as a more sustainable alternative to traditional methods such as elaborate photoshoots in remote or studio locations, which often involve extensive resources and travel. AI's capability to simulate environments and generate digital visuals reduces environmental footprint while maintaining creative excellence.
How do you balance your work in AI art with other professional or personal pursuits?
Like I mentioned earlier, I'm the type of person who dives headfirst when something truly sparks my interest. Here are my personal “life lines” for balancing my passions with real-life responsibilities - lessons I've learned from navigating life as an entrepreneur and recovering from burnout:
Invest in what matters: Focus your time and energy on work that brings you joy and fulfilment.
Practice self-awareness: Regularly check in with yourself to assess your emotional and mental state, ensuring you're not neglecting your well-being.
Maintain balance: Find ways to integrate relaxation and hobbies into your schedule to prevent overwhelm and burnout.
Prioritize responsibilities: Establish clear priorities and allocate time accordingly to meet both personal and professional obligations.
Navigating these has been a significant learning curve for me, especially after experiencing burnout. But they've helped me maintain a healthier balance in life.
How has working with AI in art influenced your mental and emotional wellbeing?
Working with AI has been an exciting and therapeutic experience for me. It's been incredibly enjoyable to learn new techniques and explore the possibilities of creating something entirely novel.
However, I've also found that AI art can be addictive. The continuous flow of ideas and the thrill of exploring new possibilities create a cycle that's hard to break away from. The instant feedback from AI-generated artworks and the efficiency it adds to the creative process can sometimes lead me to spend more time than I originally planned on AI projects.
Making some of my AI creations real and tangible, would be an absolute dream come through. I am hoping that one day I will find another artist or a collective to start turning AI art into physical installations that you can touch, smell, hear, walk through and feel.
In your opinion, how does AI redefine the concept of creativity and artistic agency, and how do you see it impacting the future of art?
In my view, AI has already changed how we think about creativity and art. It's sparked a lot of debate and exploration into what art really means. Traditionally, creativity has been all about human intuition, emotions, and personal experiences. But now AI comes in and shows us it can create original ideas and even entire artworks on its own.
Yet, for me, AI is a tool rather than the artist. It's a powerful tool that helps human artists like me enhance our creativity. While AI can generate art based on algorithms and data, it doesn't have that human touch—the emotions and understanding—that make art truly unique.
Personally, AI has profoundly enriched my artistic toolkit. It offers innovative approaches to brainstorming, experimenting, and realizing my creative visions. This technological integration inspires me to explore unconventional methods, continuously pushing the boundaries of what art can achieve and how it can evolve in the future. I also think transparency is crucial for artists using AI, ensuring audiences understand the collaborative process and the artist's role in guiding the creative work.
What role do you think AI art can play in highlighting social issues?
AI art has a huge potential to powerfully address social issues when used ethically and thoughtfully. Personally, I believe AI art - like any other art - has the ability to motivate positive action. Art can connect with diverse global audiences, crossing language and cultural boundaries.
Ultimately, it's essential that AI's role in art and beyond is guided by ethical principles to ensure it contributes positively to societal well-being and avoids harmful consequences. It makes me so angry when I see AI being used to mislead people, manipulate information, or perpetuate harmful stereotypes. AI is and can be a powerful game changer in the hands of the right people. However, the responsibility lies with us—the creators, artists, and technologists—to ensure that AI is used in ways that uphold integrity, transparency, and respect for human values. By advocating for ethical guidelines and promoting awareness about the ethical implications of AI in art and society, we can harness its full potential for the greater good.
How do you engage with the broader AI and digital artist community?
Being part of the Women in AI community has been incredibly enriching for me personally. It's been a source of inspiration and connection with like-minded individuals who share a passion for both AI and art. Engaging with this community has broadened my perspective on AI's role in art and its potential impact. Moreover, being part of this community has provided me with a platform to exchange ideas and learn from others. The encouragement and feedback from fellow community members have been invaluable in shaping my artistic growth and pushing me to explore new techniques.
The community has had a huge impact on my confidence in pursuing AI art more professionally. This interview, in particular, has been a pivotal moment for me. It's empowering me to overcome my shyness and start showcasing my unreleased work. In the past, I have been very shy to share my work on social media, and I've only really shared some experiments.
My @ai.vriendly instagram account does not accurately portray who I am and aspire to be as an AI artist. I have a library full of work waiting to be published - a blend of contemporary AI art intertwining fashion, design and interior aesthetics into installations, portraits and product design. So therefore, for this interview, I have chosen only work that I have not published anywhere. I am doing this to push myself out there!
What advice or encouragement would you give to aspiring women and non-binary folks who are interested in pursuing AI art?
My advice to anyone interested in pursuing AI art would be to embrace your curiosity and creativity wholeheartedly.
Explore fearlessly: Jump into AI art with enthusiasm. Experiment with various tools, techniques, and approaches. AI provides a vast canvas for creativity—let your ideas soar.
Learn continuously: AI technology is ever-evolving. Stay curious and keep learning. Explore online courses, workshops, and resources to deepen your understanding of AI and its applications in art.
Find community: Connect with communities like Women in AI or other supportive groups. These spaces are invaluable for networking, sharing experiences, and learning from fellow enthusiasts.
Challenge stereotypes: Don’t let stereotypes or perceived barriers hold you back. Your unique perspective as a woman or non-binary individual can bring fresh insights and innovation to AI art.
Experiment with ethics: AI raises ethical questions. Reflect on how your art impacts society and explore ways to use AI responsibly to create meaningful and impactful work.
Celebrate diversity: Embrace diverse perspectives in your artistic expression. AI art has the power to amplify a wide range of narratives and voices globally.
For more of Mervi’s incredible work, make sure to visit her Instagram account: @ai.vriendly