Over the past few weeks, I’ve been on a business journey like no other. In fact, it’s been the Hero’s Journey, booked through the CREATIVE SPACE COMMUNITY with tour guides Charles and Andrea.

This experience has directed me to a process I had never considered before: using AI to map out what I want and where I want to go with Purplelily Design after 20 years in business. I’ve always said I’m not against AI when used thoughtfully and responsibly, NEVER for logos or final designs. This exploration provided me with written guidance and visual strategies (while being mindful of my carbon footprint).

Starting with the basics: a degree in Graphic Information Design, more than 28 years of industry experience, and a passion for sustainability, education and thoughtful design. The search for a defined route was planned (passport and toothbrush packed).

I already had credibility, recognised design skills, trust, and values alignment. A gentle push towards becoming more of a trusted ethical communications partner helped me map out my North Star, the adventure calling me towards greater clarity and refined creative freedom.

On the Hero’s Journey, we talked about souvenirs as proof that we have travelled somewhere unfamiliar and returned changed. My souvenirs are my skills, every completed design project with a delighted client, years of relationships built, and the ability to solve problems and keep going on the business rollercoaster.

As I reached 'The Cartographer’s Realm', where I’ve spent many years helping others find clarity, direction and identity, I took time to redraw my own map. Standing on solid ground, I confirmed to my AI assistant that what energises me most deeply is designing infographics and visually accessible reports (white papers, brochures, etc).

That led me to 'The Translator’s Kingdom', where I am now ready to turn complexity into clarity, a phrase that has been used to describe my design work on more than one occasion.

The treasure has always been there. Leaning into it more makes my North Star shine brighter. My map now points towards Meaningful Impact: clear information, inspired action, greater impact. (My word of the year chosen back in January was 'impact'.)

The graphic below shows the journey my clients take from complexity to clarity → Discovery → Research and Listening → Simplification → Visual Storytelling → Accessibility Check → Delivery → Real‑World Impact.

From now on, my focus will be on creating infographics and visually accessible reports for purpose‑led businesses, charities and educators, while remaining open to all aspects of design when the need arises.

No, AI is not going to take my job. This illustration may have been generated with AI, but it took weeks to develop with me firmly at the helm. The logo, as always, is 100% human‑created and added afterwards.