Marco Zoni | Digital Designer & Artist
- artbeacongallery
- Oct 17, 2024
- 3 min read
Marco Zoni
Digital Designer & Artist
Insta @ ai.creative.lab
Based in Milan, Italy
Education:
Master’s degree in Economics & Finance
Scientific High School Degree
Fluent in English and Spanish
Career:
Marco is a bank employee with a background in economics and finance. Despite no formal artistic or technical training, he taught himself AI-based art and launched ai.creative.lab on Instagram in April 2023 to explore art, design, and architecture using AI.
Artistic Philosophy:
Marco views art as a form of self-expression and a way to challenge perceptions. His motto, “Look at the impossible but make it possible,” reflects his desire to create emotionally authentic visuals that blend reality and imagination.
You have a background in economics and finance, yet you decided to pursue AI-based art. What led to this shift?
Marco Zoni: My journey into AI art started purely out of curiosity. I’ve always been a creative person—I used to paint as a hobby when I was younger. But, with no formal training in art or technology, I never considered it as a career. My transition began in 2023 when I discovered Midjourney. It was challenging to use at first, but I was captivated by the potential of AI to produce original, unconventional visuals. I realized that AI could serve as a tool to amplify creativity, not replace it. So, I taught myself how to use it, step by step, and that’s how ai.creative.lab was born. It’s my space to experiment with ideas and turn imagination into reality.
How does your background in Milan influence your work?
Marco Zoni: Milan is a global design hub, known for its fusion of traditional and contemporary aesthetics. Living in this city has shaped my artistic vision in many ways. The architecture, the art scene, and even the daily life here inspire my creations. I often draw from the city’s rich cultural tapestry and incorporate those influences into my work. My experience as an Erasmus student and my travels have also broadened my perspective, enabling me to view my art from different angles. I think Milan’s vibrant atmosphere fuels my desire to explore diverse themes and redefine the boundaries of art through AI.
You mentioned that you have no formal technical training. How did you overcome this challenge when starting with AI?
Marco Zoni: It’s true—I have no technical background. At first, using AI was like navigating uncharted territory. But I’m driven by curiosity and an eagerness to learn, so I embraced the learning process. I pushed Midjourney to its limits by experimenting with different prompts, merging images, and adapting my ideas. Every failure was a lesson. I kept refining my prompts and techniques until I was able to create visuals that reflected my vision. Passion, persistence, and open-mindedness are what kept me going. Now, I see AI not as a limitation but as an extension of my creativity, allowing me to blur the lines between reality and imagination.
What role does photography play in your creative process?
Marco Zoni: Photography is essential to my work. Even though my art is AI-generated, I incorporate photographic elements to achieve more realistic results. Photography helps bridge the gap between the AI-generated and real-world aesthetics. It’s like a dance between the two mediums, where I’m constantly blending and refining them to create something unique. By combining AI-generated imagery with photographic techniques, I can produce works that are visually compelling and feel emotionally authentic, even if they’re not factual representations.
What do you see as the potential of AI in the future of art?
Marco Zoni: AI has the power to reshape how we perceive and create art. It’s not just a tool—it’s a collaborator that expands the boundaries of creativity. I see AI as a limitless experimental space where boundaries dissolve and new possibilities emerge. It’s exciting to think about what AI can achieve in the future, especially when combined with traditional art forms like photography, design, and architecture. My goal with ai.creative.lab is to continue exploring these intersections, using AI to inspire fresh perspectives and dream beyond the ordinary. AI isn’t here to replace human creativity but to enhance it, opening up new ways for artists to connect with their audience.
Interview with Marco Zoni: Redefining Art through AI
