Art director Neil Walshe collaborates with AI art generator MidJourney to unmask the longest running pest on the Campaign Brief blog
Art Director, Neil Walshe, has collaborated with AI art generator, MidJourney, to unmask the longest running pest on the Campaign Brief blog.
For years now – perhaps decades – a creative director self-identifying as ‘Old’ has trolled the comments on Campaign Brief.
Whether lacerating current commercials, or simply musing about times past, his contributions have been consistently hilarious.
But also, somewhat mysterious.
Because although many guesses have been attempted, the true identity of Old CD Guy has remained unknown.
Until now.
Says Walshe: “You see, while scientists around the world are using AI to conduct cancer research or solve pressing environmental issues, I used one of the new consumer-facing AI programs to create a composite picture of CB’s favourite commentator.
“Finally unmasked, for the world to see.”
The serious point here is while AI is currently just a novelty in the creative industries, it may soon become a reality. AI could create a music video based on song lyrics… serve hyper-personalised digital ads based on social likes… maybe even generate high-quality TV ads – from just a script – at the touch of a button.
Says Walshe: “How did I create this portrait? It was comped together by an AI art generator called MidJourney, into which I fed key words which other CB commentators used to describe Old CD Guy.
“The exact phrase used, in case any of the nerds out there are interested, was: “Hack, disgruntled, yearning, arrogant, ridiculous, judgemental, bully, pathetic, peanut, old man, creative director in the advertising industry, photorealistic, portrait.”
“So now we can all sleep easy knowing what he looks like. Amazing.
“The only problem is in few more years, that’s pretty much how I’m going to look myself…
Neil Walshe is a Creative Art Director from Sydney, neilwalshe.me
MidJourney is an AI art generator from the internet, midjourney.com
(Quotes are taken directly from comments, and not my opinion, obvs)
18 Comments
I’ll bet these portraits are actually quite flattering for old CD guy.
So… Stan?
hahaha my reaction too!!
These don’t look anything like Monty Noble.
@Zac – You should know SJ never takes credit for the work of others.
LOL
Enjoy the ego here that says ‘maybe AI can even generate high quality TV ads from just a script’.
Cool idea but way to underrate every director who reads this here, the people who make the scripts that don’t make sense, have massive holes in them, that are over or under written, under funded or just plain idea-less into the TV ads that creatives then pin awards to for themselves.
Nobody replied because it’s too close to home. Keep it light like old CD guy does.
yeah this is sick. I’m properly obsessed by MJ. it scratches that itch of making nice looking things work doesnt.
Not even close. Haha, I remain infuriatingly, remorselessly anonymous.
This should narrow it down; I am one of Campaign Brief supremo Michael Lynch’s 2,841 Facebook friends.
…or am I?
LOVE the thinking here, and the images. And you’ve coaxed three comments from the geezer himself!
I wrote that one in the middle in the hero image. But you changed “champion” to “old man”. Think my key word would’ve made a more interesting portrait.
Despite your protests, one might suggest that it’s very close. Especially with the glasses.
Lol. Lmao.
Who’s to say anyone can’t just post as Old CD Guy? It’s kinda easy to type out. Maybe the MJ art should be a chimera of toxic juniorburgers?
Lol! Love it Neil.