Congratulations, Graduates!
I’m proud to address you on the occasion of our THEi Design Graduation Show 2024, celebrating your hard work and creativity. This year’s theme, “Synergy,” perfectly encapsulates your journey through the Digital Advertising programme – a journey that has been deeply influenced by the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI).
The 2023-2024 academic year, hailed as the “Year of AI,” has seen this technology revolutionise our approach to creative problem-solving and campaign development. As designers, we must now focus on what’s truly important: Design Thinking and Creativity. These human-centric qualities are even more valuable in an AI-driven landscape.
Your work demonstrates a masterful understanding of leveraging emerging technologies with creative brilliance. The true synergy lies in how you’ve learned to work with AI as a collaborative partner. The next big topic in our field will be exploring new ways to harness the strengths of both human and artificial intelligence.
As you start your careers, embrace this synergistic approach. Collaborate with AI on repetitive or data-driven tasks, while focusing on higher-level conceptualisation and emotional connection. This balance will amplify the impact of your designs and campaigns.
Your achievements show your adaptability and willingness to embrace technology. I’m confident you’ll continue to redefine the role of designers in our challenging world. Seek out opportunities to push boundaries and explore the possibilities that AI offers in advertising design.
The unique perspectives and innovative ideas you bring to the table are irreplaceable. Your ability to create emotional connections and tell compelling stories remains at the heart of great advertising design.
To our graduates, congratulations on this significant milestone. You’ve demonstrated remarkable skill in navigating the intersection of creativity and technology. As you enter the professional realm, continue to cultivate your human creativity while embracing technological advancements.
In closing, I’ll borrow Steve Jobs’ quote from his 2005 Stanford University commencement speech and these words inspire you to remain curious, innovative, and unafraid to challenge conventions as you embark on your exciting careers in advertising design.
“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”