The Pros, Cons and What it Means for Designers [+ Expert Insight] – InstantFollowerz

A few months ago I tested several AI logo generators and documented my experience. Then my friend Michael Randallgraphic designer, read the post, and I’ll just say he wasn’t thrilled about it.

“[Expletive] logo generators? We failed,” were his exact words.

I ended that blog post by explaining that companies should use actual graphic designers when designing their logos in order to stand out. And I stand behind it, I hope so, that it gave him more faith in humanity and our friendship.

That said, I wanted to ask my friend for his perspective that in graphic design. So here are some of Michael’s thoughts mixed with my findings from other sources.

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AI Graphic Design: What is it?

AI graphic design is exactly what it sounds like. It is the use of artificial intelligence to generate graphics such as infographics, advertisements, logos and other forms of visual art.

The logos I made in my previous post via AI generator are examples of AI graphic design.

How will AI affect graphic design?

According to Randall, many graphic designers already see the negative impacts of artificial intelligence on the industry and fear that it could cause additional problems for artists and designers in the future.

“Designers are under a lot of stress,” he says. “There has been progress since the pandemic. A lot of freelancers and independent business owners lost their jobs in the way you’d expect because of the pandemic, but then AI started to explode.”

Randall says AI is considered more accessible or cheaper for business owners than hiring an actual graphic designer.

“Creating a brand identity for less than $5 is something most people would jump at compared to hiring a professional for hundreds of dollars—and the latter price is justified because graphic design is hard work, but people don’t think about it that way.”

There are therefore concerns that AI’s promises of affordable, accessible and fast graphic design could further devalue artists in the design industry.

However, some designers say the future of AI in graphic design is less clear, and perhaps even less dystopian. In a YouTube video, graphic artist Will Paterson said it’s unlikely that AI could replace designers and that no one really has an answer.

“All I can say for sure is that despite your beliefs about generative artificial intelligence – whether it’s good or bad – to be competitive and to be in the industries we want to be in, we need to see it as a tool that can change the art and design process “, he explains.

Patterson then sets up new pages AI graphics tools and platforms such as Adobe Firefly, which uses only licensed images as its data model.

“Adobe is thankfully shifting the conversation to more of ‘How can I get AI to help creators create?’ instead of ‘How can I get AI to create for us?'” he says. “I don’t know if we’ll be replaced in the future. I believe we won’t be, but we’ll have to find out.”

Advantages and disadvantages of using AI in graphic design

The future of AI in graphic design is somewhat ambiguous, but one thing is clear, AI is here to stay.

According to Marqlast year saw an unprecedented rise in demand for AI design tools, with search volumes for AI design tools and software growing by 1700% from 2022 to 2023.

Moreover, a recent Canva study showed that 75% of global marketing and creative leaders agree that AI is essential to their creative toolkit.

So designers and business owners must weigh the pros and cons of using AI when integrating it into their marketing or design.

One of the benefits of AI in graphic design is that it can help artists speed through repetitive or tedious tasks. Even my friend Michael found a use for it in his work.

“I work in architecture, specifically in signage and wayfinding,” he explains. “I photograph existing spaces and make models. Instead of doing the difficult task of removing a person or other existing elements in a photo I’ve taken, I can use generative fill to cut that task out pretty easily.”

He emphasizes: “That’s it only the context in which I use AI in graphic design.”

Another benefit is that it can make graphic design more accessible to beginners and small business owners.

For example, I’m not much of a design person. I like to think that I have an eye for color and a strong enough sense of style that I know how to fit different elements together like puzzle pieces.

However, I lack the expertise to create beautiful designs like those of trained artists like my friend or other graphic designers.

So, I benefit greatly from platforms like Canva that boast a variety of AI-driven design tools that help me create featured images, YouTube thumbnails, and high-quality SOCIAL MEDIA graphics that are easy on the eyes.

I especially like its resize tool and Magic Switch, which allows me to change formats, languages ​​and dimensions in my designs in seconds.

However, one drawback is that over-reliance on AI in graphic design can result in materials lacking in creativity or originality. For example, I tested five AI logo generators and found that all of their designs produced similar results and ultimately created uninspired logos.

Another major drawback is that AI is flawed and can generate images that are, for lack of a better term, weird. My colleague Ramona Sukhraj recently tested AI image generators and they made them hilarious (and creepy) pictures.

When to avoid using AI in graphic design

My friend Michael is pretty straightforward about the use of AI.

“It can only be ethical when you use it to perform a task that isn’t particularly skill-based, shorten tedious work, or use it to do things that are impossible for a human to do,” he says.

In other words, avoid using artificial intelligence to replace human labor. Instead, use it as an auxiliary tool to help designers work efficiently.

So what does the future hold for AI in graphic design? Who really knows? I believe AI will eventually become a common tool for designers, like tablets and digital pens. But I don’t believe that they will be able to completely replace real graphic designers.

AI can generate but doesn’t host creativity the same way the human mind can, and we’ll always need the creativity of designers to make images that stand out from the competition.

Still, Paterson was right that artists should use it as a means to stay competitive.