Google Whisk - a fun little creativity tool

I’ve been experimenting with Google Whisk lately, an AI-based creativity tool available through Google Labs. Although it’s still in its experimental phase, Whisk shows great potential as a fun addition to our creative toolkits.

What is Google Whisk?

Whisk is an image generator that takes a unique approach to creativity. By uploading photos, you can define your subject, scene, and style, allowing Whisk to generate visuals that capture the essence of your inputs. Whether you’re creating stickers, enamel pins, or digital plushies, Whisk makes the process both fun and intuitive.

The uniqueness of Whisk lies in how it interprets your images. Instead of replicating them exactly, it uses AI to describe the images in its own way before generating something new. This approach works well for everyday objects or animals without distinctive features but can be less successful when working with people or pets that have specific traits.

Whisk start screen

Experimenting with Kylo

Naturally, I had to test Whisk with my cat Kylo. He’s fully black, which made him an ideal subject for Whisk’s creative process. I uploaded his photo as the subject, paired it with a flowery garden scene, and chose a comic style for the aesthetic. The result was a whimsical image of Kylo in front of a flowerbed - something I’d happily turn into a sticker!

Kylo as a sticker

However, not all experiments were as successful. When I tried using a photo of myself and family members at Cape Reinga this summer, the results were hilariously random. The generated image featured three strangers who bore very little resemblance to us - a reminder that Whisk’s descriptions of people can sometimes be too generic (“a woman in a flower dress standing next to two men in t-shirts”) to create recognisable likenesses.

Nope, not my family. Just some AI-created strangers.

Why Whisk is Worth Exploring

Whisk is all about exploration and creativity. Here’s why it’s worth trying out:

• Playful and Intuitive: Upload your images and let Whisk do the rest - it’s simple and fun!

• Surprising Results: Every creation feels fresh and unexpected, sparking new ideas along the way.

• User-Friendly: You don’t need artistic skills or technical expertise - just bring your imagination.

• Versatile Outputs: Whether you’re designing stickers, pins, or digital art pieces, Whisk offers fun possibilities.

The Future of Whisk

While Whisk is still experimental, it shows immense promise as a creative tool for visual thinkers and hobbyists alike. However, like many Google experiments, its future isn’t guaranteed - let’s hope it avoids joining the infamous Google cemetery of discontinued products!

For now, I’m enjoying my experiments with Whisk. If you’re looking for a fun way to visualise ideas and mix creative elements, give it a try - you might just surprise yourself with what you create!