AI’s growing popularity has stirred up a mix of excitement and trepidation among creative professionals, and graphic designers are no exception.
Some people believe that AI will open up the world of design to the masses, while others fear it spells death for the design industry as a whole.
But what are the true implications of this new technology on the design industry? Is AI a muse that elevates creativity to new heights, or is it a harbinger of job displacement and the loss of the human touch in design?
Join us as we examine the role of AI in graphic design, evaluate whether these changes are good or bad, and consider some of the ways artificial intelligence is already impacting graphic design.
What is AI in Graphic Design?
AI in graphic design refers to the use of machine learning tools to create graphics. AI tools aid graphic designing by providing shortcuts and simplifying the design process, and in some cases, replace human designers entirely.
Depending on its application and use case – whether it serves as an aide or replaces the designer – we can classify AI graphic design tools into two categories:
Generative Design Tools
Credit: Google DeepMind
These refer to AI design programs that create images based on prompts provided by a user. Popular examples of generative AI tools include tools like DALL-E and Midjourney.
However, while generative AI tools can create stunning works of art within seconds, they remain controversial within graphic design circles and society at large.
You see, the machine learning algorithms used to train these tools used art from real artists – some of whom did not consent to having their work used like that.
AI-Assisted Design Tools
Credit: Adobe Express
These are AI design tools specifically designed to speed up the design process.
These tools automate or outright eliminate some of the most tedious processes in graphic design, making them faster and leaving the graphic designer to focus on their creative process.
For example, before AI-assisted tools, replacing the background of an image in Adobe Creative Suite involved hours of manually outlining the subject.
Now, you can use AI in Photoshop to swap backgrounds with the whole process taking just a few minutes.
The Impact of AI on the Graphic Design Industry
Since its emergence, artificial intelligence has had a massive impact on the design industry, influencing everything from the demand for original graphics to how designers work.
Many graphic designers have had to change how they approach content creation. Before, they had to develop everything from scratch, but now they can lean on AI tools for brainstorming, creating mockups, and generating templates they can personalize.
Additionally, with AI-assisted tools being so readily available, more marketers are including artificial intelligence in their content game.
According to the 2022 Deloitte State of AI in the Enterprise report, up to 94% of business leaders believe AI is critical to business success over the next few years.
This large-scale adoption of AI into the design process has also been fueled by an increased demand for bespoke graphics.
According to data from a 2024 Venngage Report, we learn that while graphics are great for conversion, marketers have found that custom graphics like charts are far more effective than generic graphics like stock photos.
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In fact, up to 39.05% of marketers polled during the survey say that stock photos performed poorly for them.
Benefits and Drawbacks of AI Design Tools
AI’s impact on graphic design is double-edged. While the question of whether or not AI tools are useful or flawed depends on the specific integration and application, there are some pros and cons that stand out.
Let’s explore what these are:
Benefits
Time and cost savings: Both generative and AI-assisted tools can help automate repetitive tasks and some of the tedious design work, saving time and money.
Streamlined workflows: AI-powered tools help streamline the design process by assisting with tasks like brand analysis, data visualization, and prototyping for a smoother overall workflow.
Improved efficiency: By automating repetitive tasks like content generation, photo editing, and optimization, AI helps complete projects faster and more efficiently.
Personalization: Through machine learning, AI can analyze user data and preferences, allowing you to create personalized designs that resonate with the target audience.
Enhanced creativity: AI tools help with brainstorming by providing inspiration and new design ideas that help spark creativity. Also, with AI handling the tedious tasks, you’ll have more time to focus on your creative process.
Consistency and quality: AI helps ensure consistency within design elements ensuring high quality work across various projects, resulting in professional and polished outputs.
Drawbacks
Job displacement: As AI automates certain design tasks, there is concern about job opportunities for graphic designers who handle repetitive and standard design work, such as creating templates for ad creatives or setting the same blueprint for product designs.
Loss of originality: Over-reliance on AI tools may lead to reduced originality and saturation of repetitive designs that lack a uniquely human touch.
Ethical gray areas: Because of the limited regulation and oversight over AI-generated concrete, there are concerns about the legal and ethical gray areas surrounding AI content. As such, graphic designers must exercise caution when using AI tools to uphold the integrity of their work.
Concerns Surrounding AI in Graphic Design
With artificial intelligence being a relatively recent development, we don’t have clear regulations around what is or isn’t acceptable.
For example, in the U.S., there are no definitive laws about copyrights for any material created by anything other than a human. Effectively, this means that all AI-generated images and graphics cannot be copyrighted in the U.S.
This also creates a gray area about the ownership of AI art. Some designers may not realize that they may not own the rights to their work or that by using AI, they may inadvertently input art from a different artist without their permission.
But does this mean that graphic designers should write off AI entirely?
No. Quite the opposite, in fact. You see, despite these concerns, AI remains a valuable tool for designers, and we can expect it to play an increasingly significant role in the future.
Instead, designers can take steps to protect their art and help improve AI. For example, designers can use works they already have rights for as AI inputs to avoid copyright infringements.
Additionally, they can familiarize themselves with the specific usage rights of the AI tools they engage with to protect themselves and their art.
Final Words
There you have it – an in-depth consideration of the role of artificial intelligence in graphic design. But one question still remains: Is artificial intelligence a friend or foe?
We say friend, and here’s why: by embracing AI as a tool and partner, you can unlock a new world of creative possibilities, work more efficiently, and create user-centric designs that resonate with target audiences.
Of course, there are still kinks that need ironing out and regulations that need definition. But even then, AI remains a valuable design tool you should take advantage of.
And if you’re still worried about losing your jobs to artificial intelligence, consider, instead, how you can use these tools to better your craft.
After all, your human touch and unique perspective cannot be mass-produced in a moment.
