When Best Intentions are Not Enough

For those who don’t know my history before becoming a full-time content creator and stationery maker, I worked as a graphic designer for Hallmark Cards for almost 20 years. I worked with some of the most talented lettering artists, illustrators and writers. I went on to work for two other companies as a product developer (not digital products but a design of physical goods like tea sets, Christmas ornaments, home decor goods and more) where I had the pleasure of collaborating with artist and illustrators as well as creating my own artwork. I believe artists should be paid for their work and credited.

I have been writing The Well-Appointed Desk (for better or worse) since 2010. I have written every word in my posts and reviews, typos and all.

So, it’s surprising when people ask whether my zines were  created using AI. This question has come up a couple times about the Gamify zine and I felt like I needed to be absolutely sure about every aspect of the publication.

In writing the Gamify zine, I researched and typed every word myself. My kind husband was my editor and proofreader and he is really good at it. At no point did I ever use ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney or any other AI software in any part of my production process. I laid everything out in InDesign and, where necessary, I used stock illustration sites with good reputations to purchase illustrations to zhoozh up the whole piece.

But because I’ve had multiple questions, it made me wonder if maybe, some of the artwork I bought utilized AI and didn’t mark it as such so I decided (a year after originally designing this in June of 2025) to go back to the original stock houses and verify that I had done my due diligence

Let’s dig into it:

In early 2025 when sourcing artwork, I turned to Shutterstock and Creative Market, as the stock image sites allow searching with a “no AI” button turned on which I did because I support artists who make art. I choose sites like Shutterstock in order to do my due diligence and utilize the authorship verification standards that sites like Shutterstock and Creative Market stand by.

Starting with the art I used for the cover which came from Shutterstock, the artist posted in his personal description that he does not use AI. I added a border from my vintage art collection so this is 100% original art. Textures and patterns were added to the inside and end papers that also came from my collection of vintage, out-of-copyright art collection.

 

This is what info I’d see, looking up images on Shutterstock and Creative Market:

I was able to click on the artist’s link and see that they stand by their no AI artwork. Yay!

Betrayed by the system:

After getting a few emails wondering about AI content this year, I revisited my artists’ sites because I know I did the diligence earlier. My husband and I, along with our many friends who are working comic illustrators, often discuss AI all the time. To find AI artwork in my Gamify zine would be unthinkable.

So I went back to Shutterstock and Creative Market and dug up info on every piece of artwork used in this zine. And this month I was shaking with rage when I found out that the Creative Market ‘NO AI’ feature had let me down, as I found that one artist is NOW flagged as having AI artwork. Their spot illustrations are kinda dispersed through the zine, and now the artist is even talking about their AI usage. I totally would not have used this artwork at all, despite how cute it is.

What the ever-loving F*** is that “AI” tag doing there?!?! It was not there when I purchased the art nor was the statement from the creator at the bottom. I cannot tell you how angry I am that this was not on the art when I purchased it. I, of course,  have no proof that the art was not flagged when I purchased it so you will have to take my word for it and know that I did not intentionally lie or try to circumvent the beast that is AI.

It goes without saying that I sent a strongly worded letter to Creative Market for not advising previous purchasers that the status of this artwork had been changed.

I know that in today’s current climate, it is hard to assume anyone has good intentions but really, I did not use AI artwork knowingly. I even credited the creator of the illustrations in the zine so I was not trying to hide where I got it.

Needless to say, I have pulled the Gamify zine out of the shop until I can determine the best way to proceed. I did pay a printer to produce the zine so I am now sitting on a pile of inventory I don’t know what o do with. Do I offer a “I get duped by AI” fire sale? Do we just ritually burn them in the back yard and hope that the gods of creativity smile down on us and rain money on our heads?

As next steps, my goal is to create new illustrations for the inside of the zine and publish a new edition, 100% free and clear of AI. Once the new version is completed, anyone who purchased the original version can request to be sent a digital copy of the new edition (or a discount code to buy a new, no-AI).

I am sorry to anyone who feel like they got duped. I feel it too. I am trying to do my best to fix the situation but I know I can’t undo what has been done. Just know that none of this was done intentionally. I know that doesn’t make it right. But I hope I can make it better.