Danai Fuengshunut

Who am I

IMy name is Danai Fuengshunut, and I am a leading lecturer at the Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. With over 20 years of experience in higher art education and a background in illustration, I’ve witnessed firsthand how technology can transform creative practices—just as Adobe Creative Suit did during my early career as an illustrator from 2000-2012.

In 2023, research professor Florian Cramer introduced me to a blog post by Viorel Spinu, who shared how he used generative AI to create a visual identity for a premium dairy business. In a single post, Spinu showcased a complete visual journey—from logo design to website layout, packaging, spatial design, flyers, and business cards—all generated through AI. What caught my attention wasn’t just the speed of the process, but the fact that Spinu wasn’t an art or design student—he was a software developer. Yet, the work he produced closely resembled projects typical of art and design students.

As new bachelor’s and two-year programs focused on applied data-science and A.I emerge in the Netherlands, I began to wonder: Will their graduates become the future artists and designers? This example illustrates how generative AI is blurring the traditional boundaries between creative disciplines, making it essential to rethink how we prepare students for their professional futures.

I don’t have a definitive stance on whether this technology is good or bad for the upcoming generations of art and design students. However, I believe it’s a development we cannot ignore in the art academy. My aim is to remain as objective and open to diverse perspectives as possible, and to collect a wide range of viewpoints. I’m particularly interested in the situatedness of this emerging technology between students, art and design tutors, design professionals, and clients. My commitment is to share knowledge and engage with these stakeholders, bridging the gap between technology and art. Ultimately, my goal is to offer practical recommendations on how the academy can best prepare students for a future where generative AI plays an increasingly significant role.

Personal Research Goals:

To address these emerging questions, I’ve identified several personal research goals that will guide my approach. These goals reflect my commitment to curiosity, collaboration, and actionable insights:

– Deepen my understanding of AI and its implications for creative fields
– Listen to and engage with diverse stakeholders
– Foster collaborative learning around AI and its integration into art education
– Document best practices for using AI in creative processes
– Provide actionable recommendations for educators and art and design institutions