Tanit Plana’s masterclass explores the creative potential of AI in design
Tanit Plana, photographer and lecturer at LABASAD, invites us to explore the transformative ways in which artificial intelligence is pushing the boundaries of creativity across all artistic fields.
As digital tools continue to reshape the artistic landscape, LABASAD hosted a timely and thought-provoking masterclass on 1 May, titled “Applications of AI in Creative Processes”, led by renowned photographer Tanit Plana. This session was particularly significant as LABASAD has recently inaugurated a new area dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, with the launch of the Online Master in Generative Artificial Intelligence for Creatives. As a leading voice in this emerging field, Plana was invited to share her unique perspective on how AI is influencing the creative process across disciplines—without replacing human ingenuity.
Rather than viewing AI as a cold, mechanical substitute, Plana reframed it as a collaborative partner in the act of creation. “Working with a machine is stepping into a unique kind of collaboration,” she shared during the session. “That’s what makes it so exciting: you’re not giving it orders — you’re having a conversation. It’s a dialogue, a creative exchange.”
Throughout the masterclass, Plana demonstrated how AI can expand the scope of creative imagination. She presented compelling examples from contemporary visual culture where artists and algorithms co-create, blurring the lines between authorship and automation. Yet, she also warned of the limitations of expecting machines to precisely replicate human vision: “If you try to force a precise image from your mind onto the screen, if you expect it to appear exactly as you imagined… it won’t. It never does.”
The key, according to Plana, lies in openness and intention:
“That’s why the most powerful thing you can do is open your mind. Don’t cling to a single idea; instead, focus on the universe you want to create. Be clear about your intention, but stay flexible in how you get there. Then, simply flow with it. That’s where the magic happens.”
This philosophy aligns closely with her broader practice as a photographer, where she treats portraiture and documentation as fluid, story-driven forms. Her work navigates themes such as love, human reproduction, and digital interconnectivity, and has earned her prestigious accolades including the BBVA Leonardo Grant, Propuestas VEGAP, and the Arte for Change award from Fundación La Caixa. Her projects have been showcased in prominent institutions such as La Virreina Centre de la Imatge and the Antoni Tàpies Foundation.
For Plana, the most exciting element of AI creativity is its unpredictability and potential for serendipitous invention. “The real key to a powerful prompt lies in the creativity you bring to it,” she told attendees. “That spark allows the machine to surprise you, to return something you might never have imagined on your own. As an author, you have the ability to bring together ideas that would never cross paths in the real world. And that… that’s a superpower.”
She concluded by emphasising the importance of daring exploration and mental agility in working with these emerging tools:
“Artificial intelligence is astonishing, yes. But you, as the prompter, are the one holding the reins. The more creative, flexible and daring your mind is, the further you’ll go. Because it’s in those unexpected combinations that new worlds are born.”
If you were unable to attend this fascinating session live, the full masterclass is available to watch via LABASAD’s official YouTube channel. It’s a must-watch for any creative interested in the evolving relationship between human expression and machine collaboration.
To learn more about the Online Master in Generative Artificial Intelligence for Creatives contact us at [email protected]. We’re here to help you take your next step into the future of creative technology.