It’s no secret that schools still operate on a model largely designed to produce workers for industrial-age jobs. Kids are taught skills that prepare them for a traditional 9-to-5, yet the reality is that by the time they leave school, many of those jobs may no longer exist. Automation, artificial intelligence, and robots are increasingly taking over roles once performed by humans. But is that necessarily a bad thing? I don’t think so. In fact, I’m excited about what this could mean for our future.
Introducing my latest t-shirt design, featuring a quirky, playful pattern of a Shoebill Dodo hybrid that embodies both charm and whimsy. This new piece is all about expressing creativity in a world that’s rapidly changing, where embracing your artistic side isn’t just a choice, but perhaps a necessity.
Think about it: all these technological advancements aren’t just about making production faster or cutting costs—they could also free us from the necessity of labor itself. Imagine a world where we don’t have to work just to survive. Some people argue that universal basic income will become the norm, as machines take over more tasks. With basic needs covered, we’d have the freedom to explore and create, rather than grind away in jobs that don’t bring us joy.
It’s easy to picture a future where many people could end up bored, feeling purposeless. But there’s another path we could take. Instead of fearing this shift, we could start right now, doing what we love and sharing it with the world. If your passion is creativity—whether that’s making art, designing furniture, crafting pottery, or writing stories—then this transition could be an opportunity rather than a threat.
Sure, robots and mega-factories will be able to produce art and creative objects en masse. But human-made creations will always have a special value, an irreplaceable touch of imperfection, and a story that resonates. Our individual journeys, our personal struggles, and our unique visions will give the work we produce a distinctiveness that machines can’t replicate. This will be our niche: creations with a human backstory, imperfect and raw.
So, my advice—for myself, for my kids, for anyone who’s listening—is simple: follow your dreams, do what you love. There has never been a better time to start. Share your creative journey with the world, embrace the coming changes, and carve out a space for yourself in this evolving landscape. Our human touch, combined with the freedom and time to create, could make the future a canvas on which we paint our wildest aspirations.
And maybe, just maybe, this funky bird-patterned t-shirt is a reminder to do just that—embrace the unexpected, the imperfect, and the unapologetically unique.
Kids Book Illustrator Andy C Marshall 