I have been busy with several projects - I am making branding for some companies and while that is somewhat fun, it's just logo and flier work where I can't really express my creativity that much. I miss drawing stuff I actually enjoy. I should market more telegram and emote commissions that I really enjoy doing but I barely have time to advertise!
Anyway if you are interested in that sort of stuff, feel free to poke me of course haha.

I don't mind working for free if it is a good cause. I know working for free even if I wanted to do it generally is not good for the industry in the first place, even if I wanted to do that. I might do some giveaways regardless in the future when I'm not sure what I want to draw on my free time.
But my frustration mainly comes from working with this charity organization. I am a philanthropic person, so I like to do some good especially if it comes to working with animals. I suggested my boss I could make some merch related to an upcoming project which could improve revenue streams for the charity org. Originally my boss was very interested and excited. I presented them with some sketches, but I was mostly ignored and my boss instead linked some pictures "they made themselves". However, for me it didn't take long to understand all these pictures were made via AI.

I think AI has benefits but using unedited (or even lightly edited) AI images in merch is... not right.

I am a little bummed because my handmade concepts were not taken even into consideration.
I wish people had some sense where and when it is appropriate use these new technologies.