On Thursday, April 24, Monica Menez & Ivonne Veith (Synthetic Styles) and Anja Haas Haas (Pudel Unlimited) invite you to the White Noise Bar in Stuttgart to discuss the role of AI in creative work. In a rapidly changing digital world, one thing is clear: creative work requires not only talent and vision, but also the right tools – and the knowledge of how to use them effectively.

'WONDER PANIC – Between Skepticism and Enthusiasm: Why Creatives Should Try AI' is aimed at anyone interested in exploring the opportunities and challenges of AI in the creative industry. Between practical talks, honest discussions, and fresh perspectives, it's about more than just tools – it's about attitude, responsibility, and inspiration.
 
Participants include: Bianca Mack (SVP at WONGDOODY), who, with her team, develops immersive experiences at the intersection of technology and creativity. Nina Klein (artist manager, coach, and author), who has successfully supported creatives for over two decades and provided new impetus for the industry. Jeannette Bergen (Creative Director & AI Artist), whose work combines generative AI with high-quality aesthetics—honored as one of the Top 50 Women in AI Design 2025. And Susanne Vetter (illustrator & multimedia artist), who tells immersive stories using AR, web technologies, and projections. International AI art will also be shown on screens, including by @x.machina.flora.

After the panels and talks, starting at 10 p.m.: Get-together, music, and drinks—no set program, but plenty of room for conversation and creative exchange.

Tickets are available here.

For those who can't make it to Stuttgart, we recommend PROMPTLY NEWS from Synthetic Styles AI – a regular look into the world of AI. In collaboration with the BFF Academy, we provide online updates every two to three months on the most exciting developments in the AI ​​world.3Sa7YB


 
01.04.2025 show complete article

On February 20, the exhibition "Specimens of Creativity – The Museum of Dead Professions" by fashion photographer, director, and AI pioneer Monica Menez opened in the spaces of the communication agency Pulsmacher in Ludwigsburg. With over 200 guests, the evening was filled with intense discussions and inspiring encounters, raising the central question of the exhibition: How is Artificial Intelligence changing the creative world? At the heart of the exhibition was the exploration of professions threatened by the digital transformation – with the hope that they would not disappear, but reinvent themselves.

The works will be on display at Pulsmacher throughout the year, and there will be several events and tours on the topics of AI and creativity. Additionally, the images are available for purchase in a limited edition of 25 pieces.

Monica Menez: "The creative industry is at a crossroads. Professions that were once considered irreplaceable – photographers, stylists, copywriters, or models – are disappearing or radically changing. But what remains of them? And what is emerging anew? 20 images and a short film specifically address this question. The protagonists are creatives who have become 'specimens' – not as relics, but as witnesses of change. Dressed in animal-like costumes, they carry the tools of their former craft, a subtle reference to the extinction of species. But these professions haven’t simply disappeared – they are evolving.

Augmented reality brings them to life: The copywriter continues typing on his ideas, the model holds their pose, the photographer searches for the perfect moment. There is no standstill – only change. The exhibition asks not only what is lost, but also what is created. Does AI mean the end of human creativity, or its next stage?
These questions have been with me for a long time – and I know many in the industry feel the same. That’s exactly why I founded the collective Synthetic Styles together with Ivonne Veith. Our goal is to inform, inspire, and show creative freelancers how AI can be used as a tool – not as a replacement, but as an expansion of their own possibilities. Creativity has always been a process of change, and we want to help shape this transformation."

Monica Menez has not only created an exhibition with "The Specimens of Creativity" that encourages reflection, but also opened a space for engaging with the role of artificial intelligence in the creative future. She challenges us to recognize the possibilities of technology without losing the essence of human creativity. The exhibition will be on display at Pulsmacher in Ludwigsburg throughout the year – a visit is definitely worth it to dive into this future of art.

Monica Menez: "The old ways are gone. Creativity must evolve. It always finds a way." In the quiet of this museum, between glass and fur, the future unfolds – the future of art, work, and life.

Without the incredible team at Pulsmacher, this exhibition would not have been possible. A huge thank you to the managing directors Jens Kenserski, Jochen Schroda, and Thorsten Weh for the invitation to be part of the series "Great Moments." A special thank you to Silke Schorr and Nils Bittner, who supported me with so much passion in curating the exhibition – you really brought it to life! And of course, a big thanks to the entire Pulsmacher team for their dedication and creativity behind this project."

www.syntheticstyles.ai
http://pulsmacher.de

 
13.03.2025 show complete article

Following the very exciting and instructive online beginner’s workshop on AI image generation this October, we are now continuing with the online course for advanced users on 9 November. In this next one, photographer Monica Menez and retouching expert Ivonne Veith will teach you advanced image generation techniques.

This course will cover advanced commands in Midjourney, such as cref, sref, and seeds, to create characters and achieve consistent character design. It will then explore advanced tools, including AI upscaling technologies and programs like Magnific AI, as well as their applications. Finally, the course will demonstrate how to refine projects using Photoshop.

Another key focus of the course is the application of AI in film production, introducing tools such as Dream Machine and Runway. Through practical examples and detailed explanations, this course helps participants expand their skills in these areas.

Course Content

Basics of AI Upscaling Technologies
- Introduction to upscaling
- Overview of programs such as Magnific AI

Face Transfer Techniques
- Introduction to Faceswap
- Practical applications and case studies

Advanced Commands
- Consistent character creation in Midjourney
- Use and benefits of cref, sref, and seeds
- Practical exercises in using these commands

Introduction to AI and Film
- Use of AI in film production
- A quick look at Dream Machine and Runway
- Case studies and practical examples

About the speakers : Monica Menez, photographer, and Ivonne Veith, image retouching expert, founded the AI Collective ‘Synthetic Styles’ to explore the world of generative image creation. Together they have developed this workshop especially for photographers to share their knowledge.

Image Generation: Advanced Techniques with Midjourney & Co with Monica Menez and Ivonne Veith Online Workshop 9 November 2024, 10 AM–4 PM, Tickets: Standard: €290 BFF Members: €220
05.11.2024 show complete article