The Creative Nomad: How We Began Using AI (And Why It Feels New Again)
Introduction
AI isn’t replacing design—it’s amplifying it.
And in true Creative Nomad fashion, my own path into AI wasn’t straight. We started playing with it early, almost like a toy. I’d dip in here and there between projects, curious about what it might do. But then life (and business) took over. By the time I brought Maya on board—and later Mariana—I realized I’d been set back months in really exploring what AI could mean for Forrest Glover Design.
That pause turned out to be a gift. Because when I came back to AI in mid-2025, I found a completely different landscape. It wasn’t just about clever prompts anymore—it was about automation, workflows, and real studio operations. And suddenly, it all felt new again.
This is the story of how Forrest Glover Design began weaving AI into the way we work—from the unglamorous back office to the creative heart of the studio—and why the timing couldn’t have been better.
Phase One: Operational AI — Automating the Mundane
The first problem we aimed at wasn’t glamorous: invoice follow-ups.
The problem: Hours lost chasing payments, creative energy wasted.
The solution: A custom AI agent running through Notion, Gmail, and n8n (because Zapier was not it). It sends branded reminders, skips weekends and holidays, and escalates gracefully when needed.
The result: We cut out the noise. The work felt lighter.
Almost immediately, we extended the logic into client onboarding. Profiles get built automatically, welcome notes go out, calendars sync, and projects start smoother.
For the first time, AI wasn’t a novelty. It was a system, saving us from drowning in routine.
Phase Two: Strategic AI — Shaping Decisions
By early September, I noticed a shift: AI was part of weekly leadership conversations.
When we discussed timelines or resource planning, I started referencing “decisions run in AI.” That small phrase meant something big: the tools had crossed from support act to strategic partner.
Phase Three: Creative AI — Faster Exploration, Human Taste
Invoices may have been the gateway, but creativity is where AI started to feel exciting.
We’ve been experimenting with a toolset designed to compress exploration cycles without replacing human judgment:
Midjourney + Krea for fast concept studies and 2D-to-3D visualizations.
Photoshop AI for polishing details.
ChatGPT for refining briefs, swapping materials, and generating variants.
Runway, Veo 3, and Sora (optional) for pitch films, finished in After Effects.
Zoom AI for bilingual collaboration with artisans and vendors.
A private “FGD Style GPT” trained on our projects, palettes, and references to keep taste consistent.
This setup lets us try more ideas faster, but the curation, taste, and cultural nuance remain firmly human.
Phase Four: Expanding the Toolkit
We’ve also been branching into tools that lighten the business side:
Zoho for integrated CRM.
Wispr Flow for workflow management.
Superhuman (jury’s still out) for faster email.
n8n as our automation backbone (goodbye Zapier).
Every one of these tools buys us back time and headspace for design.
Guardrails and Philosophy
The Creative Nomad series is all about balance, and that extends here:
Privacy and compliance are non-negotiable.
Taste and craft remain central. AI may suggest, but humans decide.
Efficiency is a value. Less admin equals more space for creativity and connection.
Conclusion: Why the Timing Feels Right
If we hadn’t experimented with AI early, we might have missed this wave. But the reality is, I got too busy—until Maya and Mariana joined, giving me the space to look again. And by then, the tools had evolved.
That’s why I’m so energized now. AI finally solves the problems that matter most: reducing the heavy administrative load, expanding our creative exploration, and making the client journey smoother.
Forrest Glover Design is moving forward with AI not as a gimmick but as a genuine partner. The routine is automated, the strategy sharper, and the taste human. That balance feels like the future—and for me, it feels new all over again.
FAQ Section
Q1: Why is this blog part of The Creative Nomad series?
Because it blends personal reflection with design insight—exactly the spirit of Creative Nomad.
Q2: Did you always plan to use AI this way?
No. We started experimenting early, but only had the space to dive in once the team grew. By then, AI had evolved into something more powerful.
Q3: What do you use AI for today?
Invoices, client onboarding, strategic planning, and creative exploration—with tools like Midjourney, Photoshop AI, and n8n.
Q4: Does AI ever replace design judgment?
No. AI accelerates exploration, but human taste, craft, and cultural nuance remain central.
Q5: What’s next for The Creative Nomad + AI?
Vendor management systems, reporting dashboards, and custom GPTs trained on our design history.