Visual Essay Illustration project

[zcktvep]

Evaluation

14th May

During this project I had a lot of ups and downs. I felt very strongly about this subject and thought would be a great idea to highlight multiple issues surrounding generative AI as it not only effects myself, butalso a lot of other classmates, family, friends and people around the world. Usually, I create and draw a lot of superhero comics, graffiti and gothic tattoo designs, so I found the reportage aspect a little challenging. As I had not done a lot of this before, and my topic wasn’t as in-person as other topics I could’ve chosen, I did find this difficult to fully grasp a lot of problems and angles from people around the world, without getting to angry and mad about it, as I understand it isn’t about my personal beliefs.  

Saying this, I did find it fun to put myself in other people positions and shoes and hopefully do them some sort of justice with the final outcome, showcasing many different issues at hand from AI. I do wish Iwould’ve planned this project out a bit better as I would've had a lot more time to create large-scale posters and develop further. However, I am still definitely interested in doing this even though this project is now over, as it’s a subject that is continuing in our political climate, not just here, but all around the world.  

As well as developing further, I would’ve liked to experiment more with more mediums, like completing my Riso print, and developing my collages further. I found it difficult to show the issues with some mediums like collages because it wasn’t an accurate depiction of what was happening. Which is why I went down the route of data centres and the surrounding communities. Overall, I am happy with my outcome, and I did enjoy creating it, and I am looking forward to next year to really lock in a bit more and develop a lot more ideas and concepts, as I have now found investigative reportage illustration really helpful and useful in this project and now I can take this towards my own art in a way I have never really researched before. 

Phil, here are some of my own pieces of work I have Donne since the deadline, hope you like them.

[zcktvep]

WEEK 10 - finishing my final piece

13th May

I have completed the piece, adding the colour palette I desired, as well as a splash of dark red for the residue coming out of the taps and on cloths.

Final design below

I am happy with this final piece, I think it shows a lot of the damage of the communities including water, pollution and the dystopia of data centres.

As it's so late in the project, and due to again, my bad organisational skills, I haven't had to the time to get printed on larger scale. And if I did, I think I would have liked to convert it to pro-create and a digital comic page, just so if it was enlarged it not be blurred.

I ma really happy tho with th amount of information I managed to get into this come page, I'd like to develop it further though still. I think over the summer, as I feel strongly about this topic, it would be good to get it printed skyway to see what it would turn out like, and then put up all over different places.

[zcktvep]

WEEK 10 - further development of final piece.

12th May

I wanted to include the reference pictures used for this final product:

I have added colour, black, 3 shades of dark grey and I'm thinking of adding a lighter blue to give it a bit of a pop. Id like the piece to e darker to symbolise the real importance of it snd how bad it is and will get in the next few years coming, but with the blue, it will create an eye-catching element to it, hoping to grass the attention of the viewer/pulic walking by

[zcktvep]

WEEK 10 - final piece development

11th May

With my research complete and ,any ideas circling my head, I have decided to develop my research on communities around data centres and the impact on them.

From watching documentaries, videos and reading reports I have gathered quite a lot of impact statements and reference pictures of the issues surrounding their communities.

I have many ideas, especially concerning how people can see this on a wider scale as I think it is more important to think about how the message of not using generative AI comes across. I have tried with using words on stickers, and concepts on Lino, however they do become passive aggressive as I feel very strongly about this topic. And I realised that people aren't going to just read something and listen, they need to connect with the issues at hand and connect to it.

If I create a comic page about the human impacts from these data centres with real problems that these people face, I live it will have much more of an impact than just angry wording on a sticker. Lucking I have photos, quote and facts to use in this piece.

For a start, I'm going to draw up a couple of sketches and ideas on what I could say, and develop further. I then have plans of printing this comic poster on larger scale and to post around ristolm. and in summer, my hometown, Nottingham.

Here is my favourite sketch and idea of a poster, every thing I have drawn is directly from the research of real life people and their problem caused by data centres. Water issues, non running water and just red/brown residue coming from taps, dystopian looking data centres in communities next to homes, and also facts on there last 3 sections of how much water is used. I think this covers a good range of the issues people are facing and connects with the viewer as its other human beings being effected. Ending with a question for people to take away and think about.

[zcktvep]

WEEK 9

10th May

Anti-AI Protests in the USA

There's been a lot going on recently with protesting the development of AI data centres, as communities are now seeing the harm from other locations in the USA due too them

I have looked online ( le.monde.fr and www.theatlantic.com ) to u understand the different viewpoints of the protesters. All research shows a mass dislike for them.

There is much anger and many reasons why people are protesting data centres being built in their communities:

People don't want to be living by these monstrous industrial, warehouse facilities that generate a huge amount of noise pollution, no matter the time of day.

They also don't like the idea of their residential electricity and water rates rising, with much evidence that data centres are heavily linked to the price increases.

As well as the idea of AI taking over their education systems and being slowly, but surely, introduced as a 'tool' for students to use and heavily rely on.

And also, they aren't a fan of giving these tech companies millions of dollars in revenue and in tax breaks, that could prompt higher taxes and rates for everybody else.

It seems that these data centres don't and will not offer any explicit benefit to people living by them. The only counter argument I have found us that it could 'give the local communities job opportunities', but as these data centres are just heavily all computer systems with no need for human interaction, there will not be half as many opportunities compared to the likes of a warehouse.

[zcktvep]

WEEK 9

7th - 8th May

To develop my ideas of dystopian data bases I can up with a concept for a riso print that I was hoping to get printed but because of my less than great organisation skills, I wasn't able to get printed in time. Although I am still going to try and finish it as I am excited to see the finished result and see if I did it correctly.

here are my layers and sketches.

Layer 1- turquoise ink

Layer 2 - Green ink

Layer 3 - Green ink

Layer 4 - purple / pink ink, to really highlight the issue.

[zcktvep]

WEEK 9

6th May

I have had a look into UWE's policies regarding AI use. Im not that impressed, along with many other students was it seems. As a Uni that claims to be green, the use and acceptance of the students to use AI is pretty sad and hypocritical. As well as priding off and benefiting of the artistic students work, this seems like a slap in the face.

HMMMMMMMM doesn't seem great.

However, the student union has come up with a issue to be discussed as it seem that this is an issue MANY students believe is ridiculous for our Uni.

This is a recent discussion, being opened on the 6th May 2026.

On the right of this screenshot, you can see many students takes of this issue. I wholeheartedly absolutely agree.

[zcktvep]

WEEK 9

5th May

After I created the edited pictures of data centres in places round the world, I had more ideas of how I could show protest AI

One ring using signs whether that on the road or are as stickers to place around. Again, these could be put in public places so many people see them and reconsider. As I did my mini brief like this, I would like to develop other ideas. Especially with problems that affect other human life rather than just passive aggressive words shaming people. Even though I like the idea of that.

SO I edited and drew on these signs as concept ideas to make. They would make great stickers in my opinion.

Especially this last one, would e a great counter attack for AI art used in the physical world. For example, companies, businesses and event planners seem to use AI imagery for things like advertising, posters and signs around Bristol. This makes me rather mad and I would genuinely get these printed anyway to use, included in project or not as I think its really important to show that a lot of these places and businesses get celebrated for many things like independence, having punk-morales and supporting the local communities. Which is such a hypocritical thing to claim while using generated images for their benefit, they could easily employ local artists to draw, design and create these things. Wait! almost sounds a bit like the UWE social media pages!

[zcktvep]

WEEK 9

5th may - 10th may

[zcktvep]

WEEK 8

4th May

Here are some more examples of the dystopian look of data centres in a variety of places to show this.

Even adding one in Bristol. This is so if I chose to develop this idea forward, I could get it printed large scale A2 or A1 and wheat paste these posters in Bristol, in places where this is high level of public traffic.

I would also prolly add some text with facts too, as on their own they don't say too much about the dangers of AI and the impacts it is having whether that be from the physical big data centres, or using apps like Chatgpt.

[zcktvep]

WEEK 8

2nd-3rd May

To carry on with creating sketches and art based of the dystopian look of the data centres, I made some Lino cuts and collages based of this.

following the idea of making the public really understand how dystopian and strange they look y illustrating data centres in various locations.

[zcktvep]

WEEK 8

2nd May

From the reference pictures from the documented I have watched, I did some sketches of them as they were direct images of these homes. I think it's really important to show what is happening to these places. I have plans and ideas to develop and take forward these ideas to create a final piece about these issues.

Im going to to do further research on these problems, looking into sour cues like more documentaries and also the protests happening in America as the public has taken to the streets to show their problems, issues and what has been happening.

[zcktvep]

WEEK 8

1st-2nd May

After my look into Ai art, I had a look into the AI data centres and the surrounding communities being effected. Not only do they have to cope with little to no water, pollution and health risks like asthma, and noise pollution, but also have to have this dystopian Internet city by their doorstep.

So I went onto google earth to have a closer look at these centres. It gave me ideas to not only sketch out these problems or the people and communities but also document and showcase how dystopian the data centres look.

These are some screenshots of reference pictures I found from the documentary which I'm going to use for some sketches and research for showcasing this colossal madness:

A further documentary I watched-

I did find it quite hard to actually find data centres in the USA, but when I did I saw that they are primarily located in places where there is limited water supply, making these commentates suffer further.

This is OpenAI Stargate centre, one of the biggest data centres around Texas.

this is a clearer photo I found of the centre.

I find myself asking why do these governments out these ridiculously massive data centres in places where this is little water anyway? what does the community gain from this besides increasing laziness and and an answer instantly?

From this research, I have ideas to create work based on the dystopian sight of the data centres, for example, collaging, editing, and even Lino prints. Maybe a layered riso print of places where it showcases how strange looking they actually are.

This is an example of what the inside of the data centres look like, and I have made a drawing of this as well.

This week we also went to the pub, to relieve some stress and talk about our development ideas. I went in my batman poncho and matching hat.

[zcktvep]

WEEK 8

1st may

I had a further look into the art industry and the majority of the viewpoints from artists, when I came across these reported articles:

A group of artist filed a class-action complaint against a trio of AI art generators, saying that the services violated copyright and unfair competition laws. On January 13th 2025, artists and illustrators Sarah Andersen, Kelly McKernan, and Karla Ortiz filed a complaint against the northern district of California, against a parent company to two AI art generating services, which took their art without consent to train and help churn out generated artwork.

“21st-century collage tools that violate the rights of millions of artists.”​

Additionally, the class action asserts that A.I. generators have allowed art to be generated “in the style” of particular artists, “siphoning commissions from the artists themselves.” Because of this “unlawful appropriation,” the artists claim that the value of their art has been 'devalued and diluted' because of a flood of similar-looking A.I.-generated images.

They did end up winning this lawsuit as their work was plagiarised to use with consent and for the AI companies benefit and profit.

The way AI generators for art and images work is that, AI companies can feed their models huge libraries of photos or books, and by analysing everything it’s fed, the model can then generate its own versions which look close to the real thing. At first its likely to produce complete garbage, but through a trial and error process it can be ‘trained’ by an engineer to generate better results.

How do we know that these generators are being fed physical products and media that abides by copyright laws, with consent of artists, writers, makers? Furthermore, where are the sources to to tell us that the information they give us comes from a true, reliable source?

[zcktvep]

WEEK 8

Mon 27th April - 3rd of May

After my project proposal and tutorial with Steph, I had a look into some case studies and reports about the communities being effected around AI Date centres in the USA

I was lucky enough to find a documentary about the water and energy issues around these data centres.

Whilst creating some sketches from this documentary about the houses, water pressure, environmental issues and health problems, I also looked into the creative fields. Specifically the AI art issue.

At the moment, circling the internet and trending everywhere is "anti AI", whether that be in hashtag form, anti-AI art form or just general posts warning people about the dangers for the creative industry and o possibilities in the future.

Professional artist and illustrators have been protesting against AI art y posting their own hand-made anti AI art in community sites like DevinaArt, and Artstation, as this is pushing these companies and supporting companies on their standpoint of AI and clarifying their stance on AI art in general. Where companies have always claimed to be supportive of artists, they’re now being asked to prove it through their actions, by for example, banning AI art from their sites.

For now, AI-generated images can be spotted by the mistakes they make with fine details, such as human finger, but we can expect this to change as everyday AI imagery is getting better and more realistic.

“Generative A.I. art is vampirical - feasting on past generations of artwork even as it sucks the lifeblood from living artists. Over time, this will impoverish our visual culture.”​

— Molly Crabapple

[zcktvep]

WEEK 8

28th April

AT this point in the project, I was feeling pretty unmotivated, whether that be a mixture of burn-out, tiredness, hay fever increasing or problems in my personal life, I had a bit of a break rot try and get back into the headspace of my work. I admit, there should've been more investigative research done, ut with my project being based on AI and how worldwide this issue is, I was also having some struggles to really narrow this project down. And also to not get to angry about it.

"Every battle not fought is lost"

-Fin Davis, group chat 2026.

To try and get my mind back not the artistic swing of things, I did do some personal drawings to re-ignite the passion. So here is green goblin.

[zcktvep]

Back at Uni - project proposals.

WEEK 8 - 27th April

I did my presentation about my mini-brief, surrounding research and what would I do if I had unlimited resources and money

Me and Steph talked about how to move my project forward and ideas for my visual essay brief.

I have summarised my notes:

Specifics of definitions, roader concerns, and focus of data centres the USA

Case study on OpenAI/Chatgpt

How can I make this a visual essay?

Can I interview someone or ask questions related to the effects of living by a data centre?

Look at Gemma Sou, the every day stories of climate change.

Concept Ideas ( looking at the bigger picture)

TV ads

Physical media

Holograms in the sky

Plane banners.

A3\A2 posters around Bristol and/or everywhere.