Welcome to the UnStruktured Podcast.In this episode my co-host, Bob Smith, and I dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence with creative director Allison Ross.

We explore the evolving landscape of AI in the creative industry, discussing its implications for designers, musicians, and artists of today and tomorrow. Allison shares her insight on AI's potential and the importance of maintaining human agency and leadership. We also address the fears and challenges AI presents, and look for balance at the intersection of technological advancement and human values.

Join us as we navigate the dawn of AI, its impact on different generations, and strategies for creatives to stay ahead in this rapidly changing field.

00:00 Introduction to the UnStruktured Podcast

00:58 Welcoming Allison Ross

01:41 The AI Landscape and Its Impact

02:24 Allison's Background and Creative Journey

05:08 Setting Intentions for the AI Discussion

10:57 Diving into AI: First Impressions and Experiences

15:02 The Evolution of AI in Creative Work

20:05 Exploring AI Tools and Platforms

33:55 The Dark Side of AI: Fears and Challenges

44:47 The Threat of AI in Apparel Design

46:50 Shared Reality and AI's Impact

49:21 Generational Perspectives on AI

51:00 AI in Education and Design

57:46 The Role of Agents in AI

01:07:09 Human Creativity vs. AI

01:14:40 Embracing AI: A Balanced View

ALLISON ROSS

Allison is a creative director and visual artist with almost 20 years of experience helping brands step up and shift culture for good.

Allison spent nine years at JDK Design, starting as a designer and rocketing up to design director. While at JDK, she worked with serious culture shifters like Burton, Nike, lululemon, Seventh Generation, and Planned Parenthood.

After leaving JDK, she spent two years as the Creative Director at Nau—a brand driven by the marriage of style and substance, fashion intertwined with sustainability and soul. Because she was on the leadership and senior management teams at nau, she was able to dive deep into retail, wholesale, e-commerce, supply chain, marketing, and learn from the inside what leading a brand really means. What she learned above all else is leading a brand is no joke, but that’s no excuse to be timid or safe.

She then spent 4 years as the head of creative at BBMG, a branding and social impact studio. While at BBMG, she worked with brands like ASPCA, OceanX, Taco Bell and Estée Lauder to find new and authentic ways to communicate and operate with the health of humanity at its core.

In 2020, Allison launched the branding consultancy Yesterday, a collective of creatives and strategists challenging the old-school approach to branding. Allison’s motto is “friends don’t let friends create boring meaningless shit” which has helped her build strong relationships with the right clients, and has done a great job at keeping the less-right ones out.

https://yesterday.rip/

STRUKTUR SOCIETY

This episode was brought to you by Struktur Society, the community for creators in art, design, and music. For almost a decade Struktur has brought together creatives from across the industrial, apparel, graphic, and sound design industries, building professional relationships, creating a platform for knowledge sharing, and raising the bar of product creation.

From live events and workshops, to publication and podcasting, Struktur continues to evolve to build the strong creator community needed to craft our future. Find us at struktursociety.com and subscribe to our Substack at struktursociety.substack.com.

© StrukturSphere llc 2025. Original music by Greg Brace Music.

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