Heather Crank, an award-winning visual artist and designer, is celebrated for her remarkable versatility and creativity. She skillfully bridges fine art and business, capturing audiences with dynamic films showcased at prestigious venues like the Guggenheim and the SUPERNOVA Animation Festival. With an impressive clientele spanning technology, film, music, and education, Heather’s work exemplifies exceptional skill in both motion, graphic design and Gen Ai. Heather holds a BFA in graphic design from the California College of Arts, and is a recipient of the Adobe Achievement Award as well as a silver IDA.

A leader in Gen AI Heather has given multiple talks about the future of creativity including the Groundbreakers Summit, in Denver, Co and the University of Southern California Creative Summit "Riptide". In 2022 Heather had the privilege of being profiled by Debbie Millman in her ongoing exploration called "What Matters". In 2023 Heather taught her first Adobe Live focused on Storyboarding in Adobe Firefly. She is also a collaborator/co-founder of the podcast "The Developing Life" focused on interviewing creative thinkers, empathic leaders and the ethical use of AI.

Find Heather:

https://crahmanti.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crank-crahmanti/

https://www.instagram.com/heathercrank/

Affiliate Links:

Webflow: https://try.webflow.com/1p91anb2byd3

Bloom: https://bloom.cello.so/hXX9A7c0zQc

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:45 Heather's Journey to Bend

05:32 Family History and Local Roots

08:14 Career Path and Motion Design

10:51 Transitioning to AI and Current Work

13:31 The Evolution of Motion Design

16:25 The Impact of AI on Creative Industries

19:27 Future of Motion Design and Industry Trends

28:55 Navigating AI Tools for Production

31:26 The Human Element in AI Production

34:54 The Future of AI and Consciousness

37:59 The Complexity of AI Intelligence

42:20 Human Connection in an AI World

46:05 Understanding Personality Types and Their Impact

01:00:53 The Journey to Entrepreneurship

01:03:21 Challenges in the Agency World

01:05:18 Positive Leadership Experiences

01:11:54 Navigating Client Expectations

01:14:41 Reflections on Career Choices

01:15:41 The Intersection of Art and Technology

01:22:53 Imagining a Different Path

01:26:05 The Value of Authentic Conversations

Takeaways

- Heather has deep family roots in Bend, being a 'Bend founder'.

- She transitioned from a career in modern dance to motion design.

- AI has become a significant part of her creative process.

- The creative industry is evolving with the influx of new talent in Bend.

- AI is a powerful tool for automation but cannot replace human creativity.

- Understanding design principles is crucial for effective use of AI.

- Community plays a vital role in supporting creative professionals.

- The future of AI in design is uncertain but holds potential for growth.

- Human connection remains essential in a tech-driven world.

- Heather emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions in design.

- Heather identifies as an INFJ, while Kevin is an ENTP.

- Kevin describes himself as an introverted extrovert.

- Heather loves community but finds social interactions exhausting.

- INFJs often attract people naturally, unlike Kevin.

- Kevin's wife, also an INFJ, needs social interaction to recharge.

- Heather discusses the challenges of working in a competitive agency environment.

- Leadership style significantly impacts team dynamics and morale.

- Heather emphasizes the importance of understanding individual motivations in the workplace.

- Kevin reflects on the financial pressures that shape career choices.

- Heather is exploring the intersection of AI and art in her creative process.