The Xennial Creative: Learning Before the Shortcuts

I was listening to a podcast recently and was struck by a question a Gen Z woman asked:

"How can my generation make sure that technology doesn't get in the way of creative growth?"

It stopped me in my tracks. Because that’s a question I’ve been asking myself—except from the other side.

I’m a Xennial—that micro-generation between Gen X and Millennials who grew up with analog but adapted to digital. I learned to design before Canva, research before Google, and edit before AI could finish my sentences. And while I love the efficiency of modern tools, I can’t shake the feeling that something is getting lost in the process.

Learning Before the Shortcuts

Back when I worked in the computer services department at Kinko’s, there was no drag-and-drop magic wand to design a logo or format a proposal. If a client needed a funeral program, business card, or last-minute wedding invite, we built it from scratch using Adobe Pagemaker, Quark, and Illustrator. Every project required problem-solving, technical skill, and speed—but also a deep understanding of design, layout, and communication.

That experience wasn’t just about software. It was about learning to think like a designer. How to troubleshoot a corrupted file, adjust margins without messing up the flow, or make a client happy when they had no idea what they actually wanted.

There was no AI to auto-generate text or auto-fix a bad layout. We had to figure it out.

The Rise of AI and the Creative Dilemma

Fast-forward to today, and AI tools, Canva templates, and auto-generated content have made it easier than ever to create something passable—without necessarily learning the craft.

And I get it. Technology has always been about making things faster, easier, and more accessible. But the best creatives aren’t just the ones who can click the right template. They’re the ones who understand design, storytelling, and the nuances of communication.

The fear isn’t that AI will replace creatives. It’s that creatives will replace themselves by skipping the learning process.

Finding the Balance

So how do we use AI without losing the craft? How do we embrace technology without letting it replace creative growth?

🔹 Learn the rules before you break them. AI can speed up the process, but foundational skills will always set you apart.

🔹 Use AI as an assistant, not a replacement. Let it automate the mundane so you can focus on the ideas that matter.

🔹 Stay curious. Creativity thrives on curiosity. The best designers, writers, and strategists are the ones who keep exploring, experimenting, and evolving.

🔹 Remember that tools don’t create—people do. Canva can’t brainstorm. AI can’t have an original idea. The human element is what makes creativity powerful.

The Creative Future: Craft + Tech

We are at an inflection point—just like when we moved from analog to digital. Those of us who learned before the shortcuts have a responsibility: to ensure the next generation understands that technology is a tool, not the answer.

So to that Gen Z woman on the podcast, here’s my advice: Master the craft first. The shortcuts will always be there—but creativity is what makes the difference.