Why Eccentriq Matters in a World Cutting Corners

Playing with AI can be fun.

I want to be clear about that from the start. AI has opened doors, sparked ideas, and accelerated workflows in ways we could not imagine a decade ago. But fun and responsibility are not the same thing, and that distinction matters.

I named my company Eccentriq because it is a reflection of who I am and how I have lived my life.

I have always done things differently, whether it was leading Sailors in the Navy, designing brands, or building businesses. I do not believe in cookie cutter solutions. I believe in understanding people, asking better questions, and creating something that actually fits the mission.

The word Eccentriq comes from eccentric, but I intentionally changed the final letter to a Q. The Q represents my last name, Quiñones, but it also represents questioning the norm. That mindset has guided me as an artist, a leader, and an entrepreneur. Eccentriq is not about being different for attention. It is about being intentional, strategic, and bold enough to stand apart.

That philosophy matters now more than ever.

Over the last several years, I have seen a growing trend that concerns me deeply as an artist who has made a living with art for over 30 years. Too many people are quick to call themselves graphic artists or graphic designers while producing work that diminishes art as a whole and undermines the skill, discipline, and experience this craft demands.

I started making money with art at 14 years old, selling my hand drawn colored pencil artwork to surf shops like Wave Riding Vehicles and 17th Street Surf Shop. That work was used on apparel, decals, and other products. Along the way, I was fortunate to meet incredible artists, clients, and art enthusiasts who genuinely love and loyally support the arts. Those relationships shaped my career and reinforced the value of doing things the right way.

Today, many people, and sometimes even those viewed as the elite few, rely on AI to slap copyrighted material onto products for personal gain. In doing so, they diminish the organizations and creators who legally own the rights to the original works being copied or stolen. That is not creativity. That is not innovation. It is exploitation.

Another uncomfortable truth is that some individuals who brand themselves as graphic designers are not doing the work at all. They are subcontracting to third party designers overseas while presenting the illusion to clients that the work is their own. When paired with AI generated content, this further erodes trust, transparency, and respect for the craft. Clients deserve honesty about who is creating their work and how it is being produced.

Too often, people struggle with paying for time and talent. Instead of investing in an artist who can truly deliver what they need, they turn to artificial intelligence or hidden subcontracting as shortcuts. The truth is that AI does not produce true print ready artwork without mistakes, nor does it reliably generate proper, scalable vector files. More often than not, professional artists are left spending hours cleaning up obvious AI output or recreating the artwork entirely from scratch.

Let me be clear. AI has value. It is a powerful tool when used correctly. But it is not a replacement for experience, creative judgment, accountability, or respect for the craft. When misused, it becomes a crutch that weakens brands and devalues art.

Eccentriq exists to push back against that mindset.

My advice is simple. Learn to leverage AI to support your talent and increase productivity. Do not allow it to become your brand’s identity. Be transparent about your process. Respect intellectual property. Respect the process. And most importantly, respect the artists who have spent decades honing their skills.

Different does not mean cutting corners.

Different means doing it right, even when it takes more time.

A Final Word

At Eccentriq Development Solutions LLC, we do not cut corners.

We build brands, products, and creative solutions with intention, integrity, and respect for the craft.

Through Command Emblematic Sales, we design and produce high quality emblematic products such as challenge coins, apparel, and branded merchandise for military units, veteran organizations, and professional teams, always honoring originality, ownership, and purpose.

Through Defined Branding Co., we help businesses build authentic brands from the ground up, including logo design, branding systems, websites, and long term creative support that is strategic, scalable, and built to last.

If you value transparency, experience, and work done the right way, we are ready to walk alongside you.

Because different is not about shortcuts.

Different is about standards.

That is Eccentriq.