Helping Creative Directors & Agencies

Future-Proof Your Creative Team with AI That Amplifies, Not Replaces

I help Creative Directors and agency leaders cut through AI hype and build frameworks that win pitches, protect creative voice, and keep teams ahead of the curve.

The Problem

AI isn’t the problem. How we’re using it is.

Most creative teams are:

  • Chasing tools instead of leading with strategy.

  • Producing more, but resonating less.

  • Flattening their unique voice into beige wallpaper.

  • Easy to replace because they look like everyone else.

You don’t need more tools. You need a way to make AI amplify what only you can bring to the table.

The Shift

I know this because I’ve lived it.

After 23 years running a branding / marketing agency, I closed the doors in 2022. Since then, I’ve taught creative pros how to integrate AI without losing the human element.

I’ve seen it firsthand: when teams shift from tinkering to leading with frameworks, AI stops being a toy and starts being a force multiplier.

  • $19

Adobe Firefly • Back to Basics (Early Access Pre-Sale)

  • 97 left

The PRE-SALE is just that - an opportunity to buy-in to the book before it gets released. Only 100 pre-sale copies will be made available at 1/3 the production price. Buy Now - and lock it in!

The Toolbox

Here’s how I help you and your team stay future-proof:

  • Free Resources → Email courses, guides, and playbooks that reset how you think about AI.

  • Workshops & Courses → Training that moves your team from random outputs to strategic outcomes.

  • Keynotes → Talks that inspire, educate, and frame the future of creative leadership in the AI era.

  • Consulting → Hands-on help building systems, workflows, and frameworks tailored to your agency.

Every tool points back to one goal: making you irreplaceable as a creative leader.

The Proof

Why Me (Brian Sykes)?

  • Released the very first book on gen-AI prompting in Sept 2022 (& 5 more books on AI–since!)

  • Consultant & Trainer for many Tier-1 Agencies

  • Creator of frameworks like Essential Element Prompting, AMP/RAMP, and the Hourglass that agencies now use to guide their creative workflows.

  • Daily publishing, teaching, and community building with creative professionals worldwide.

Just a few of the resources I created the first year of teaching creatives how to use AI.

Next Steps

Invitation

The tools will keep changing. The pressure will keep rising.

But the leaders who know how to turn AI into an amplifier of their strategy, their story, and their style? They’ll stay ahead.

👉 Start with the free 5-day Playbook. It’ll reframe how you think about AI — and show you the first steps to becoming a future-proof creative leader.

AI LAB ::: Resources

  • $35

Midjourney : Back to Basics • Beginner's Guide

  • 3 files

The comprehensive introductory guide to Midjourney, offering in-depth exploration of AI image generation techniques, creative strategies, and fundamental principles for beginners.

Digital Books

  • $20

A.I. Explore: Collaborations, Book 1

Dive into “A.I. Explore: Collaborations - Book 1,” the inaugural edition in a series uniting A.I. aficionados from across the globe. Curated by Brian Sykes, it features 10 enlightening lessons, each showcasing a unique expertise from diverse A.I. thought leaders. Whether it's Astrographics, Industrial Design, or Storytelling, this compilation promises a comprehensive A.I. learning journey. Join the exploration!

  • $20

A.I. Explore: Collaborations, Book 2

Dive into "A.I. Explore: Collaborations - Book 2," the sequel to the groundbreaking series uniting top A.I. experts. With 10 unique lessons from A.I. visionaries, this book offers diverse insights, from shaping futuristic packaging to the art of paper cut. Curated by Brian Sykes, it's an invaluable guide for anyone from novices to A.I. professionals, ensuring you're at the forefront of the A.I. revolution.

  • $15

A.I. Explore: Prompt Fundamentals. Book 1 (v5)

Embark on an insightful journey through generative AI art with 'A.I. Explore: Prompt Fundamentals.' This resource will empower you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to effectively prompt in various text-to-image platforms. Discover unique techniques and advanced strategies with clear, step-by-step walkthroughs to craft intricate, evocative, and stunning AI-generated images regardless of your skill level.

  • $15

A.I. Explore: Snack Sized Prompts and $5 Words

Unlock the artistry of A.I. with "A.I. Explore: Snack Sized Prompts and $5 Words." Dive into 54 power words that reshape generative art prompts in Midjourney A.I. This 336-page guide, by Brian W. Sykes and Big Al Gruswitz, melds vocabulary with over 1,950 A.I. renders, illustrating the word's transformative impact. A must-have for A.I. aficionados and creatives!

  • $19

Adobe Firefly • Back to Basics (Early Access Pre-Sale)

The essential guide to mastering Adobe Firefly’s Gen-AI tools (image, video, vector, audio and text-to-graphic). A continuation of my “Back to Basics” series—this time focusing on Adobe’s ecosystem and its professional, commercially safe AI integration.

  • $5

Adobe Firefly's Structure Reference gen-AI

A fully dismantled and step-by-step walk-thru on how to use Adobe Firefly's 'Structure Reference' capability for moving from your sketched image to a photo styled render.

  • $3

Coloring Moods: A Guide to Emotional Storytelling with GenAI • Purple

Ready to infuse your creative work with the power of purple? Unlock the secrets of emotional storytelling in your AI-generated art with Coloring Moods: Purple. Get your copy now and transform the way you use color in your prompts—one shade at a time.

  • $3

Coloring Moods: A Guide to Emotional Storytelling with GenAI • Yellow

Ready to infuse your creative work with the power of Yellow? Unlock the secrets of emotional storytelling in your AI-generated art with Coloring Moods: Yellow. Get your copy now and transform the way you use color in your prompts—one shade at a time.

  • $5

Glass Effect in Photoshop

Master the Glass Effect in Photoshop with this expert guide! Learn a unique process to enhance your designs with a stunning glass texture. Perfect for designers at any level, this guide is packed with step-by-step instructions, practical tips, and a detailed tutorial using a real-world project. Elevate your design skills to new heights!

  • $35

Midjourney : Back to Basics • Beginner's Guide

The comprehensive introductory guide to Midjourney, offering in-depth exploration of AI image generation techniques, creative strategies, and fundamental principles for beginners.

  • $3

Philosophical Razors

Explore the world of philosophical razors in this eBook, where we dive into 25 practical principles that simplify decision-making. From Occam's Razor advocating simplicity to Hitchen's Razor dismissing unsupported claims, each razor offers unique insights to cut through complexity in everyday challenges. Perfect for thinkers, creators, and anyone seeking clarity in a complicated world.

  • Free

Prompt Mastery for AI Visuals

I asked earlier this month... "If you could pick my brain on any AI topic, what would it be?" 41% of you said - "Prompt Mastery for AI Visuals" So, this is the SLIDE DECK for the event that was asked for...

  • Free

The Meiji Era

Dive into Japan's Meiji era, where art transformed through a blend of East meets West. Explore the pioneering artists who embraced new techniques while honoring tradition. This booklet shines a light on the delicate dance between innovation and heritage, inspiring today's Creative Professionals. A must-read for art enthusiasts & modern creators. Includes prompts & rendered results to enhance your gen-AI exploration.

  • $15

Tips, Tricks & Rules to Break, Book 2

Brian Sykes delves deeper into the A.I. realm in "Tips, Tricks & Rules to Break." This guidebook offers 10 insightful lessons for A.I. text2img generators, with a spotlight on Midjourney V4. From mastering punctuation in prompts to exploring “punk” styles with motorcycles, this edition is your go-to resource for both novices and veterans. Elevate your A.I. prowess with this essential read! (MJ-V4 release)

FREE Resources

Offering some awesome resources to help you ramp up your gen-AI productivity!

FREE Resources

A.I. Explore: Resleeve.ai

What is Resleeve good for? Maybe only swapping clothes and environments on a model base. It uses the base as a silhouette (posed position and basic body shape.) You can somewhat define the look of your model - but it tends to be heavily influenced by the reference image and how it interprets the model's look. This is my exploration of this gen-AI tool. Enjoy!

A.I. Explore: Shadow Play

Explore the enchanting world of shadows with our exclusive freebie inspired by Dominic Dahncke's award-winning photography. Unleash your creativity with AI-generated images that capture the mesmerizing interplay of light and shadows. Download now to embark on your own artistic journey into the captivating realm of shadow play! 📸✨

A.I. Explore: Simple Lesson on Observation

Notice. Pay attention. Observe. Did you see that the TITLE listed, and the TITLE on the download - are different? Discrepancies are learning opportunities. Look to see. Observe. Take in and discover. There is SO much we fail to grasp. because we are not paying attention. Your greatest GIFT as a designer, is your ability to observe. Use it - and use it well. Brian Sykes

A.I. Explore: T-Shirt Model

The traditional mockup process is draining and restrictive. The Generative-AI workflow is a game-changing creative powerhouse. I've witnessed its transformative potential firsthand. Want to see how?

A.I. Explore: The Intersection of Creativity with Liam Wong

Dive into the neon-soaked world at night with a freebie featuring prompt magic to render the creative world as influenced by Liam Wong's "TO:KY:OO." Get ready to be transported to the cyberpunk realm where rain, neon lights, and breathtaking color compositions collide. Download your digital escape today! 📸🌃

A.I. Explore: Useful gen-AI • SmartPhone Lockscreen

A quick walk-thru of how to craft a SmartPhone Lockscreen combing gen-AI and Adobe Photoshop. The results of what I crafted are shown on my phone! (My new favorite Lockscreen).

A.I. Explore: refabric - AI Fashion Design Assistant

A deep dive exploration of the AI Fashion Design Assistant - refabric, where creatives can turn fashion ideas into reality Per their site - “Refabric leverages artificial intelligence to assist fashion designers in crafting precise, trend-setting creations, unlocking a new dimension in AI fashion design. Redefine your design process with Refabric, where AI fashion design meets industry-leading innovation.”

A.I. for Authorship

Discover the essence of leveraging gen-AI with "A.I. for Authorship," a comprehensive resource derived from my keynote. Unveils how gen-AI can vanquish writer's block, sharpen clarity, streamline social media management, and evoke imagery, all through engaging workflow conversations. Whether a writer, editor, or publisher, delve into a realm where creativity meets AI, and amplifying your storytelling toolbox.

Adding Color to Your Moods

Dive into the transformative power of color with our Gen-AI 'Adding Color To Your Moods' PDF. Explore visually-stunning examples and thought-provoking prompts tailored for gen-AI rendered images. Uncover how dominant tones can elevate your visuals, weaving emotions and stories seamlessly. Perfect for artists, designers, and storytellers eager to harness the magic of color. Elevate your creations with every shade! 🎨✨

Adobe Font Frenzy (Volume 1)

Ditch the dull and dive into a universe of fonts that doesn't require a digital excavation each time you need a fresh vibe for your designs. Adobe Express has thrown open the gates to their entire font library—yes, even those hidden gems you didn't know you needed but absolutely do. Here are just a FEW for your inspiration!

Alex Webb's "The Suffering of Light"

Expand your creative potential with this FREE mini-guide, and dive into the world of creative inspiration and innovation. This compact guide introduces you to the captivating work of renowned photographer Alex Webb, offering insights into his artistic vision as showcased in "The Suffering of Light." Learn how to harness Webb's mastery in translating life's complexity into visual storytelling.

Artistic Influence of the Romanian Constantin Brancusi

Discover the genius of Constantin Brâncuși in this exclusive booklet, blending historical insights with cutting-edge gen-AI imagery from Midjourney. Dive deep into the world of design, where mastery meets the vast expanse of human experience. Embrace the essence of true design excellence. Download now and embark on a journey to be exceptional. #DesignMastery

Camera Angles & the story they tell...

Unlock the narrative power of photography with "Camera Angles & the story they tell." Dive deep into diverse camera angles, from classic to contemporary, and understand their emotive and visual impact. Perfect for budding photographers and seasoned pros alike. Grab your FREE guide now on AIExplore.co and elevate your storytelling prowess!

Cinematic Camera Shot

Dive into the art of visual storytelling with our comprehensive guide tailored for creative professionals! Understand the nuances of cinematic shots (& their terminology) and leverage gen-AI to amplify your vision. Whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, or designer, master the language of composition and co-create with AI to achieve unparalleled results. Continue to elevate your craft at www.AIExplore.co.

Comparing Platforms • Gen-AI text-to-image

Dive into the world of Generative AI with "A.I. Explore: Comparing Platforms," curated by Brian Sykes. Analyze the capabilities of top platforms like Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, SDXL, Dall-E 3, Musavi, and Leonardo AI. Paired with a YouTube walkthrough, this guide offers deep insights into AI's role in digital art. Equip yourself with this essential toolkit today.

Crafting Creatively in Gen-AI • 10 Tips to Fast Prompt Results

Explore the art of AI with 'Crafting Creatively in Gen-AI'. Get 10 essential tips for crafting effective prompts and achieve rapid, stunning results in AI-generated art. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts. Download for free!

Epic Modern Folk Heroes

Discover a new realm of creativity with "Modern Legends: Stories of Innovation and Heroism." This free eBook explores 10 modern folk heroes, each embodying extraordinary abilities and groundbreaking achievements. From AI wonders and eco-warriors to bionic scientists and interstellar pioneers, these tales inspire innovation and celebrate the spirit of modern-day heroism. Perfect to spark imagination!

Halftone Engraving

Assets for creating the Halftone Engraving stylization of images (like those created in Midjourney, Dall-E, Stable Diffusion, Leonardo.ai, or even your own personal photographs! The YouTube Video will be linked in the details below!

Inflating Text Shapes in Adobe Illustrator

A 4-page PDF and a YouTube video. Nothing complex, just enough to help you use this neat feature in Adobe Illustrator. Is it practical? If you need balloon letters, yes! Enjoy another A.I. Explore freebie!

Midjourney Prompt Collection: Volume 1

Delve deep into the world of generative A.I. with my meticulously crafted and curated Midjourney Prompt Collection. With over 130+ carefully designed prompts accompanied by stunning images, this volume is an invaluable resource for both beginners and seasoned A.I. enthusiasts alike. - Brian Sykes / A.I. Explore

Midjourney V6 • --sref codes 2

--sref codes • volume 2 A compilation of 7 NEW codes with 9 core images to let you see clearly the influence of these styles. Creating this involved 70 renders, selection of the best representative images from each set, layout for ease of use (with codes). Prompts for the 9-images per page are included in the back of the book. This reference book is a way to facilitate easier use of sref codes.

Photo to Painting with Photoshop gen-fill

A short video link with accompanying step-by-step tutorial and assets for walking through the process of applying gen-fill to modify an existing image in Adobe Photoshop.

Poster: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Are you familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs? This is a FREE poster to keep the IDEAS fresh and clear.

Poster: You Get Better - By Trying Things

"You get better - by trying things. You improve - by teaching others. You expand - by exploring" On one of my most impactful LinkedIn posts, I was challenged by Sunita Yousef - "Brian Sykes you need to start creating images with your powerful quotes..." So, almost a year later - here we go. Poster 1.

Prompt Mastery for AI Visuals

I asked earlier this month... "If you could pick my brain on any AI topic, what would it be?" 41% of you said - "Prompt Mastery for AI Visuals" So, this is the SLIDE DECK for the event that was asked for...

The Orton Effect for Dreamy, Ethereal Images

Unveil the magic of the Orton Effect in your image creation with "The Orton Effect for Dreamy, Ethereal Images." This 18-page guide offers a deep dive into the technique's history, step-by-step Photoshop tutorials, and expert gen-AI prompting strategies with Midjourney. Transform your images into captivating works of art that blend reality with dreamscapes. Ideal for creatives eager to add a touch of ethereal.

Timeless Lessons from the Streets with Robert Frank

Unlock the secrets of iconic street photography with our exclusive giveaway, 'Timeless Lessons from the Streets with Robert Frank.' Dive into the influences that shaped a legend, from Alexey Brodovitch's dynamic design to Franz Kline and Willem de Kooning's emotional depth. Discover prompts to recreate their styles and even conjure Robert Frank's own photographic essence.

[Hu]man ::: 1 • Access ≠ Implementation

Your team has AI access. So why no lift? Access ≠ Implementation. Tools don't change people—they expose them. AI removes friction, but also removes excuses. The real bottleneck isn't the technology. It's the human operating system beneath it. Identity. Judgment. Clarity. Intention. The most human company wins.

[Hu]man ::: 2 • Skill ≠Meaning-Making

AI doesn't replace creativity—it exposes who never had it. Skill ≠ Meaning-Making. When everyone has infinite output, advantage shifts from tools to discernment. The missing ingredient isn't capability—it's the human layer: judgment, taste, point of view. Winning designers won't design the rules AI follows. They'll design the meaning AI expresses.

Links to my other stuff

I stay busy exploring gen-AI and its impact on the Creative Industry that I have been a part for almost 30 years. From my blog, to social posting to a YouTube channel where I do interviews with fellow AI Creatives and quick lessons on gen-AI... here are a few of those places that showcase my exploration and share.

My LinkedIn

Sharing daily insights.
AI Lab

A.I. Lab Substack

Daily subscriber sponsored newsletter packed with daily AI lessons and insights.

My YouTube

Interviews, Trends, Tools & Techniques in gen-AI

My Instagram

Inspiration, Education & Entertainment around gen-AI!

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What they said...

Some of the nice things people have had to say...

The indefatigable Brian Sykes is helping the creative community unlock the tools of the AI-generation. He is a force of knowledge, insights and how to to get stuff done in this sometimes confusing, but always intoxicating, age of AI.
Brian, I appreciate what you do and what you’ve done so much. In a world where people seem to do the bare minimum, you go above and beyond in every way. Beyond honored to be in the book (Collaborations 2) but also to call you a friend. Thanks 🙏 
Big shout out to Brian Sykes as he continues to drive community while sharing valuable insights and a lot of hard work. 

Brian, you are an AI hustler and I admire everything you're doing on this platform! Absolutely killer stuff. You are doing a great job as generative AI ambassador.. it's easy to tell that you are a natural teacher.

David Barona

Gen AI Educator

Been following your work and posts on LinkedIn for a while now and I'd just like to tell you that you are generally the highlight of my LinkedIn scrillong. Your images are superb but more than that your enthusiasm is infectious and your subject matter so diverse that I look forward to seeing what the next post brings. 
I also love the way you teach and willingly share your knowledge so that we plebs at the bottom of the ladder get to learn.
Keep it up and thanks again!

Thanks Brian! Your energy and skills and will to share knowledge is mind-blowing! Very impressive! What you do is massively generous and I would love if more people found out of you.

Oskar Bård

Hobbyfilm.com