Why We Work with Real Artists (And Not AI) for Our Coffee Packaging
In an age where AI-generated content is everywhere — from music to marketing — it’s tempting to take shortcuts. You can type in a few prompts and have a slick, colorful coffee bag design ready in seconds. But here’s the thing:
We’re not in the coffee business because we love shortcuts.
At Jokes Aside Coffee, we believe that good things take time, skill, and soul. That’s true for the way we roast, the producers we work with — and just as much for the people who help us bring our ideas to life visually.
That’s why every one of our coffee bags features original artwork made by a real, living artist.
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Why does that matter?
Because coffee is deeply human. It starts with farmers and pickers who put their hands in the soil. It continues with roasters, baristas, and people like you — brewing your morning cup with intention. So why should the face of that coffee — the packaging you hold in your hand — be made by a machine?
When we collaborate with an artist, we’re not just buying a picture.
We’re starting a conversation. We’re sharing a story. We’re giving someone the chance to express their vision.
Each design reflects a specific coffee, mood, origin, or even just a weird idea we had over a late-night cupping. AI could imitate that. But it couldn’t feel it.
Meet the artists behind the bags
We’ve been lucky to collaborate with incredibly talented illustrators like Dita Stuchlíková and Jana Tomanová — two artists whose styles couldn’t be more different, but who both bring curiosity, emotion, and their whole selves to the work.
• Dita’s art is dreamy, whimsical, and storybook-like — filled with charming characters and surreal details that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a caffeinated fairy tale.
• Jana’s visuals are layered, expressive, and raw in the best way — like someone painted with their whole heart.
Working with Dita and Jana is more than just commissioning a piece. It’s a process of trust, collaboration, and sharing our values. It’s bouncing ideas off each other until something clicks — something that doesn’t just look good, but feels like us.
It’s not about being “anti-AI”
AI has its place. We even use it sometimes — to brainstorm, to organize, to speed things up when it makes sense. But when it comes to art — especially the kind that represents who we are — we’d rather trust a person.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not just selling coffee.
We’re building a brand rooted in real relationships.
So next time you hold one of our bags, know that there’s a human story behind it — from the farmer, to the roaster, to the artist who turned it into something you might actually want to keep on your shelf.
And that means everything to us.
Jokes Aside Coffee – Designed by Humans