Interview with Rebecca Künnis

Federica Girola
November 25, 2024
Interview with Rebecca Künnis

We just sat down with Rebecca Künnis, aka @beccu.studio, an Estonian-born digital artist making waves with her signature style: cute, pink, spiky, and a little edgy. Originally a designer in high-end fashion with Iriarte Iriarte, Rebecca’s artistic path shifted when AI caught her attention in 2022. Now, she’s a self-described “latent space explorer,” crafting eye-catching, thought-provoking digital art that’s equal parts playful and bold. Her pieces invite us to pause, wonder, and see the quirky side of tech-driven art.

Image courtesy of Rebecca Künnis

How do you go about conceptualizing a new project or piece of artwork?

It really depends; sometimes I start with a clear idea, but other times the concept evolves as I work. I would experiment, and suddenly everything falls into place, and that’s when the idea really takes shape. There are times when I set out to make one thing, and it turns into something completely different. I just go with the flow and let the process guide me. Sometimes the concept doesn’t even come together until after the piece is finished. I always find joy in the act of creating, and that’s usually where everything begins.

Your Instagram bio says “Everything cute, pink, spiky and edgy”... what's behind this style? 

That’s kind of my signature style. I love mixing those elements in my artwork—there’s something about combining the softness of cute and pink with the boldness of spiky and edgy that really speaks to me. It’s a balance between playful and bold that I try to infuse into most of my pieces.

How do you view the role of artists like yourself in the era of digital art and AI? What responsibilities come with it?

I think AI tools bring so many new possibilities to the table and give digital artists more freedom to create in any visual domain they want. It is very exciting to explore all the different tools in the AI space and see how artists are coming up with their own voice, style, and ideas. It’s about embracing innovation without losing the personal touch that makes our work unique.

What do creatives need to thrive in the era of AI? 

I think having good taste and originality is what really makes the difference. Anyone can create cool images with AI, but what sets you apart is the ideas you blend together to show something new. These ideas can be conceptual, but sometimes they are just colors, textures, or lighting that you have never seen before and are super interesting.

What is your dream feature that you'd like Krea.AI to implement?

I would love to be able to generate or upload an image and navigate through it like if it was an entire 3D space. I would like to be able to walk through the scene and make changes all in real-time. I feel like we’re not far from that being possible.

Do you believe creativity is an inherently human trait, or can AI possess creativity in its own right?

I think creativity is very entangled with our awareness of the world around us. The word “creativity” comes from the latin “creare” which means “to create” or “to make”. I think that AI is as creative as a search engine is. AI does not create anything by itself, it can generate creative outputs, but it's based on data, patterns, and algorithms rather than intent or personal vision. AI can definitely surprise us with its creations, but it doesn’t experience the inspiration or imagination that drives human creativity. It’s more like a tool that expands our own creative capabilities

What's the inspiration behind the girls with the grills? Do you base your characters on anybody? They can be alive, dead or even fictional? 

I have always had a bit of an obsession with beautiful teeth and smiles. There’s something about a stunning smile, and when it’s decorated with grills, it adds this extra edginess that I really love. Grills were actually one of the first things I tried making with AI, and it was nearly impossible to get them right at first—AI struggles with teeth like it does with hands. But I became obsessed with making it to work. I had a vision of something bold and edgy, and after a lot of trial and error, I finally achieved the look I was going for.

Image courtesy of Rebecca Künnis

Asides from AI art, you wear many hats from a fashion designer to model etc. what are the top 3 skills that cut across each discipline? 

Creativity, attention to detail, and adaptability. Creativity keeps things fresh no matter what I’m working on. Attention to detail ensures everything I create looks thoughtful and well crafted. And adaptability is key because each role comes with its own challenges, so being able to adjust quickly really makes a difference

If all your content was scrubbed and you had to start over, what would you do differently? 

Honestly, nothing! Every experience has shaped where I am today, and I wouldn’t change that.

What advice would you give creatives getting into AI Art?

Do not be afraid to experiment. AI is powerful, but at the end of the day, it is a tool. What really makes your work stand out is your unique vision and creativity. Stay curious, keep learning, and always make sure your personal style shines through your AI-assisted work.

When initiating a new artwork, what is your preliminary step? Could you walk us through your creative process?

It usually starts with either a spark of inspiration or experimenting with new tools. I might begin with a specific idea, but as I work, the piece often evolves or turns into a story while playing around with prompts and features. I try to let the process unfold naturally, all while keeping the overall aesthetic I’m aiming for in mind.

What do you wish people would ask you? Is there anything else we should share with our community to help highlight your story and artwork? 

The sooner you start experimenting with AI-powered tools, the further ahead you will be as things continue to evolve.

Image courtesy of Rebecca Künnis

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