Demian Conrad runs graphic design studio Automatico, based in Biel/Bienne with previous roots in Lausanne. His practice spans visual identity design and speculative AI applications, positioning him as both practitioner and critical observer of technology's impact on creative industries.

Professional Background

Conrad's portfolio includes high-profile identity work such as the Applied Machine Learning Days conference branding and various poster designs for cultural institutions. His expertise in visual identity provides a foundation for exploring how AI disrupts traditional design methodologies and professional structures.

AI Research and Advocacy

Since 2017, Conrad has pioneered AI applications in design through workshops at HEAD (Haute École d'Art et de Design), initially leveraging Google Vision API when it became publicly accessible. His collaborative work with researcher Nicola Nova demonstrates early recognition of AI's transformative potential for creative practice.

Alliance Graphic International Leadership

As a member of AGI, the world's oldest association for graphic designers (400 members globally), Conrad organized a groundbreaking project challenging elite designers to create AI-generated posters. This initiative directly confronted the profession's uncertain future, particularly relevant as the World Economic Forum ranks graphic design 13th among jobs potentially disrupted by automation.

Critical Curatorial Vision

The AGI poster exhibition revealed diverse approaches to AI integration, from conceptually sophisticated works that appear «technical, interesting» from distance but reveal «fetuses and little monsters» upon closer inspection, to politically charged statements about technological censorship and data sovereignty.

Industry Evolution Framework

Conrad articulates three potential scenarios for creative industries: augmented practitioners who integrate AI for enhanced productivity; full authorship artists maintaining entirely human-made work as premium offerings; and automated systems generating content without human intervention based on real-time data.

Economic Reality Assessment

His analysis of market pressures is stark, noting poster design fees declining from 15,000 Swiss francs in the 1980s to as low as 1,000 francs today—a trend AI may accelerate while enabling new forms of responsive, data-driven content creation.

Philosophical Position

Conrad advocates for embracing AI's creative potential while maintaining critical awareness of its implications: «We shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. Of course there are a lot of challenges with this technology. But I think humor helps a lot also in design.»

Key Insight: Conrad represents strategic leadership in navigating AI's impact on design professions, using institutional platforms to foster critical dialogue while exploring practical applications that maintain creative agency and conceptual depth.