A few months ago I tested several AI logo generators and documented my experiences. Then my friend Michael Randalla graphic designer, read the post and all I have to say is that he wasn’t impressed with it.
“(Expletive) logo generators? We are doomed,” were his exact words.
I ended this blog post by clarifying that companies should use real graphic designers when designing their logos to stand out. And I stand by that, so hopefully this has given him more trust in humanity and our friendship.
Still, I wanted to ask my friend about his perspective on AI in graphic design. Here are some of Michael’s thoughts mixed with my insights from other sources.
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AI graphic design: what is it?
AI graphic design is exactly what it sounds like. This involves the use of artificial intelligence to generate graphics such as infographics, advertisements, logos and other forms of visual art.
The logos I created in my previous post about AI generators are examples of AI graphic designs.
How will AI impact graphic design?
According to Randall, many graphic designers are already seeing the negative impact of AI on the industry and fear it could cause even more problems for artists and designers in the future.
“Designers are pretty stressed,” he says. “There has been a shift since the pandemic. Many freelancers and independent contractors lost their jobs due to the pandemic, as expected, but then AI started to explode.”
According to Randall, AI is considered more accessible or cost-effective for business owners than hiring a real graphic designer.
“Creating a brand identity for less than $5 is easy for most people compared to hiring a professional for hundreds of dollars – and the latter price is justified because graphic design takes work, but people don’t think so so about it.”
Therefore, there is concern that AI’s promises of creating accessible, affordable and fast graphic designs could further devalue artists in the design industry.
But some designers say the future of AI in graphic design is less clear and perhaps even less dystopian. In a YouTube video, graphic designer Will Paterson said whether AI could replace designers is difficult and no one really has an answer.
“All I can say for sure is that despite your beliefs about generative AI – whether it is good or bad – to be competitive and in the industries we want to be in, we consider it as one “We need to look at a tool that can change the art and design process,” he explains.
Paterson then provides new AI graphics tools and platforms such as Adobe Firefly, which only uses licensed images as a data model.
“Fortunately, Adobe is moving the conversation more toward ‘How can I make AI help creatives create?’ rather than ‘How can I get AI to create for us?'” he says. “I don’t know if we will be replaced in the future. I don’t think that will be the case, but we’ll just have to find out.”
The pros and cons of using AI in graphic design
The future of AI in graphic design is somewhat unclear, but one thing is clear: AI is here to stay.
Accordingly MarqLast year saw an unprecedented surge in demand for AI design tools, with search volume for AI design tools and software increasing by 1700% from 2022 to 2023.
Additionally, a recent Canva survey found this to be the case 75% of global marketing and creative leaders agree that AI is essential to their creative toolkit.
Therefore, designers and business owners need to weigh the pros and cons of using AI when incorporating it into their marketing or designs.
One benefit of AI in graphic design is that it can help artists complete repetitive or tedious tasks faster. Even my friend Michael has found a use for it in his work.
“I work in architecture, particularly in signage and wayfinding,” he explains. “I take photos of existing rooms and make models. Instead of having to undertake the difficult task of removing a person or other existing elements in the photo I took, I can easily accomplish this task using generative fill.”
He emphasizes: “That’s it only 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 the most design-savvy person. I like to think that I have an eye for color and a strong sense of style to know how to put 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.
Therefore, I benefit greatly from platforms like Canva, which have various AI-driven design tools that allow me to create featured images, YouTube thumbnails, and high-quality social media graphics that are easy on the eyes.
I particularly like the Resize and Magic Switch tool, which allows me to swap formats, languages, and dimensions in my designs in seconds.
However, a downside is that an over-reliance on AI in graphic design can result in materials that lack creativity or originality. For example, I tested five AI logo generators and found that all of their designs produced similar results and ultimately produced uninspired logos.
Another major downside is that the AI is flawed and can produce images that are, for lack of a better term, shaky. My colleague Ramona Sukhraj recently tested AI image generators and created a few hilarious (and scary) images.
When to avoid using AI in graphic designs
My friend Michael is pretty straightforward when it comes to using AI.
“It can only be ethical if it’s used to complete a task that isn’t particularly skill-based, if it’s shortening tedious work, or if it’s doing things a human can’t do,” he says.
In other words, avoid using AI to replace human labor. Instead, use it as a supporting tool to help designers work efficiently.
So what does the future of AI in graphic design look like? Who really knows? I believe that AI will eventually become an everyday tool for designers, like tablets and digital pens. But I don’t think it can completely replace real graphic artists.
AI can generate creativity, but cannot accommodate it like the human mind can, and we will always need the creativity of designers to create images that stand out from the competition.
Still, Paterson was right when he said artists should use it as a tool to stay competitive.