Desiging in the Age of AI & AR W/ Bontio Thompson

Bonito Thompson is an Artist, Creative Entrepreneur the Founder of the boutique Ad Agency Don Dada Creative Agency, the Caribbean's first AR design studio, which has won six (6) ADDY Awards. 

In this conversation we chat about designing, creativity and Bonito's career trajectory in the creative sector and his use of tech in art, in Jamaica and the region. 

Bonito started working at an Ad Agency as an intern, learning the skills,  business and culture. He was then given the opportunity to work on regional and international brands, which ignited his creativity, talent and design aesthetic. 

Bonito said that he is naturally creative, it is one of his God given gifts and talents. The more he leans into it, he realizes that his purpose on the earth is to create and make art in whatever form it takes.

Bonito spoke about his passion for learning, research, upskilling and teaching himself about the tools and trends in the industry. He then spoke about his transition from his job at the Agency, to form his own boutique Ad Agency. 

This was triggered when he started to do his Solo Art Shows and Exhibitions. In particular when he did his AR show, clients came calling for independent work, while he was still working at the Ad Agency. This was the final push for him to start his Agency. 

We discussed his many Awards and the leverage it gave him and elevation of the Ad Agency. Bonito said he always knew his work was award worthy, as such his thought or expectation was not if he would win, but "how many he would win". 

When asked how he stays creatively charged and inspired, he said living a balanced life if important. He shared that Creatives should seek  adventure, maintain a natural childlike wonder and make things for fun not just for commercial use. He indicated that in a calm and open state of mind the ideas flow and channel through him. 

Bonito said for Creatives there is a collective consciousness in the  Community that exists, which allows them to tap into ideas that flow freely. There is a source they are privileged to experience. As such he personally must be in a state where he is able to be aligned with himself and experiences. Where he can see something and be creative in the natural life flows. 

We talk about the Creative Entrepreneur and what it means in the context today. The reality is that Creatives ought to think differently about how they solve problems, yet still retain artistic expressions, to generate money, thereby turning passion to profit. 

We talk about the rise and use of AI and AR in creative works. The use of AR in his company allows Bonito to position and differentiate his Agency. He said that, there are many benefits and AR itself allows for virality when used and executed well in campaigns. It allows him to maximize it in a unique way. 

Bonito spoke about a Counter Culture, where multiple things can coexists and this is true in the arts. This means that some people will embrace the new Tech in the expression of the arts while some will hold onto the traditional artistic expressions. However because of the speed of Tech if it is not embraced in some ways, persons will be left behind, be it artists, designers, art lovers, collectors and aficionados.  

Bonito said, Tech is a multiplier it just depends on how you use it. There is a solution and tool invented and perhaps will be invented for every problem. Therefore it can make life better and or easier. 

As for future plans, there are goals for the company and him personally. Bonito said that they experiment with art, and they live at the intersection of art tech and culture, as such they aim to build and expand on this. 

For Bonito it's about Making Really Great Art.