Clemens Maurer is an art director who has cultivated a long affinity with illustration and photography.

His artistic vision results in a fascinating dialogue between seemingly disparate worlds, everyday life, haute couture, fine arts, pop culture, creating highly conceptual images, full of meaning which is not so common…

Hi Clemens, who are you?

I’m Clemens Maurer, a German graphic designer based in Berlin. My background is in graphic design and art direction, having studied in Hamburg and worked for many years in publishing and print media. While my professional career has revolved around design, my passion has always been in the visual arts—particularly photography and painting. In recent years, I’ve been exploring the intersection of art and artificial intelligence, using AI as a creative tool to push the boundaries of artistic expression.

How long have you been using generative AI?

I started playing around with AI in May 2023, and I also use it professionally instead of stock photography from time to time, because for some images it’s just faster to write a quick prompt and get exactly the image you want than to browse through stock libraries and only find images that end up only 60% what you want.

What is your main source of inspiration currently?

My inspiration comes from a mix of traditional art movements, photography, and the psychological dimensions of human existence. I find myself constantly drawn to themes of solitude, identity, and the evolving relationship between humans and technology. But I also see AI as a source of inspiration itself. I often start with an idea but allow the AI to introduce unexpected elements, guiding me in directions I might not have considered otherwise. This balance between control and chaos, between intention and accident, is what makes working with AI so fascinating to me right now.

Which AI tools do you use?

Somehow I got stuck with Midjourney. I don’t think there’s any particular reason for this, it’s just the tool I’ve used the most and therefore know the best, so I get the best results quickly. But sometimes I would like to combine the special style of version 5 with the realism of version 6.

Any advice for those who want to get started with AI art?

Approach AI with curiosity and an open mind. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the infinite possibilities, so don’t focus too much on perfection in the beginning—just experiment. Play with different prompts, styles, and techniques, and see what resonates with you.

At the same time, don’t rely entirely on AI. The most compelling AI-generated works come from artists who bring their own vision, taste, and understanding of composition, color, and storytelling into the process. Study traditional art, photography, or whatever medium inspires you, and use AI as a tool to expand upon those influences.

Images © Clemens Maurer