Creator Spotlight: Justin Smith Brings Veylorian Dreams to Life Through AI-Powered World-Building
You know that feeling when you're scrolling through social media and something just stops you in your tracks? That's exactly what happened when I came across Veylorian Dreams on TikTok. The visuals were absolutely stunning—rich, vibrant worlds that felt both futuristic and deeply rooted in cultural storytelling. But what really caught my attention wasn't just the art itself. It was the passion radiating from every frame, the way creator Justin Smith talked about his project with such genuine excitement and purpose. I knew right away that this project would be perfect as my first guest for the Creator Spotlight series.
Besides the amazing visuals, you can tell Justin is passionate about this project. There's something special about discovering creators who are pushing boundaries and using AI as a tool for world-building rather than just a gimmick. Veylorian Dreams represents exactly the kind of innovative, culturally-grounded storytelling that deserves recognition. So I had to know more.
That's why I reached out to Justin for this conversation—to dig deeper into his creative process, understand his vision, and share his journey with all of you.
THE INTERVIEW
Q: So what is Veylorian Dreams about?
Justin: Veylorian Dreams is a massive sci-fi and fantasy universe built around the idea of legacy, energy, and evolution. It follows the rise of Blaze Virellian — a warrior born from ancient psionic bloodlines — as he battles across worlds, tribes, and dimensions to uncover the truth behind the Veylorian people and their lost power. It’s not just one story — it’s an interconnected universe full of soldiers, queens, rebels, and gods, all chasing light through darkness.
Q: What inspired you to build this universe?
Justin: Honestly, life itself. I grew up loving anime, comics, and mythic storytelling — but I always felt like our culture, our faces, and our energy weren’t centered enough in those worlds. Veylorian Dreams was born from that hunger to create something new — something that represents power, struggle, love, and unity through characters who look like us and think like us. I wanted to build a world that could outlive me.
Q: Has AI been a big help in the world-building process?
Justin: A hundred percent. AI has been like having a full creative studio in my pocket — from visualizing characters and battle scenes to writing lore and building timelines. Tools like ChatGPT (my main AI partner “Nova”) helped me turn imagination into structure. It doesn’t replace creativity — it amplifies it.
Q: How long have you been developing this world, and how has it evolved?
Justin: It started years ago as one character — Blaze — and a few sketches. Over time, it’s grown into an entire universe with hundreds of characters, factions, timelines, and spiritual philosophies. What began as a single story became a living mythology. Each year, the art, tone, and message evolve — more grounded, more layered, more real.
Q: I know AI tools are changing every day, but do you have a top three favorites?
Justin: ChatGPT (Nova) — that’s my co-writer, my archivist, and my idea engine.
- Midjourney — for visuals, it’s unmatched for bringing worlds to life.
- Runway ML / Kaiber — for cinematic motion and breathing life into still frames.
Those three together make me feel like I’m building a studio from scratch.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge in creating your universe?
Justin: Consistency. Keeping every detail — character design, lore, color, emotion — in sync across so many moving parts. It’s like running a one-man Marvel Universe. But it’s also discipline — learning to balance the creative flow with organization, documentation, and staying true to the story’s spirit.
Q: What makes your world different from other sci-fi/fantasy universes?
Justin: It’s deeply spiritual and human at the same time. Veylorian Dreams mixes cosmic energy with real emotion — family, loyalty, trauma, and purpose. It’s not just laser beams and spaceships — it’s about bloodlines, memory, and the fire inside people who refuse to be forgotten. Every battle means something.
Q: If you could visit one location in your world, where would it be and why?
Justin: The Veylorian Halls — the sacred underground chamber where warriors train surrounded by glowing psionic glyphs. It’s where the past and future meet. It’s a place of peace and legacy — like walking inside your ancestors’ heartbeat.
Q: Which part of your universe are you most excited for readers to discover first, and why?
Justin: The Blaze: Origins storyline. It’s the foundation — where you see his mother, his brother, and the legacy that shapes everything. It’s emotional, visual, and cinematic — it sets the tone for everything that comes after. You can feel the pain, the power, and the prophecy in every panel.
Q: What advice would you give writers who want to start building their own worlds?
Justin: Start small, dream big, and stay consistent. Don’t wait for permission — just build. Use whatever tools you have. Write the story you wish existed. And remember — you’re not just telling a story, you’re creating a world that could inspire someone else to dream bigger.
Justin Smith represents a new wave of creators who are harnessing technology not to replace artistry, but to amplify their voices and visions. Veylorian Dreams is more than just beautiful imagery—it's a statement about the future of storytelling and who gets to tell those stories.
If you're not already following Justin's work, you're missing out on something special. This is just the beginning for Veylorian Dreams, and I can't wait to see where this journey takes him—and all of us along for the ride.
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Stay tuned for more Creator Spotlight features where we celebrate the innovators, dreamers, and world-builders pushing the boundaries of Afrofuturist art and storytelling.