AI Aided Graphic Design On The Rise in 2023

AI aided graphic design is more than a trend. I started this draft blog early in March and now, at the end of March, it is available almost everywhere! Although it seems like a threat to graphic designers, I'm convinced it can be a time saver for everyone.

AI can be used in many different ways in graphic design, from automating repetitive tasks to generating new design ideas and layouts. For example, AI can be used to analyze data about a brand's target audience and create designs that appeal to their preferences and interests. Will it replace human graphic designers? Not yet. 

What is generative design and how does AI help?

The term generative design is being used regularly now. What does it mean? It's really not new. Adobe has been using it for more than ten years with the Sensei AI system. This means using computer programs to create or alter different design options based on specific goals or rules. For example, a designer might want to use "liquid mode" or other filters in their design. AI can create way more options than a human could. The graphic designer, or product designer can choose the best ones that fit the use case, and then make them even better. This helps designers make products and designs that work really well. It can be cost-effective too.

Another example, and something we've already seen for awhile, is the design of several variations of a logo or packaging for a client. Just input your color scheme, typography, and layout, and the tool can generate many different versions of the design quickly. What a time saver!

The AI algorithm can also learn from the designer's preferences and choices over time. This means that the generated designs become more accurate and relevant the more it is used. This saves the designer a lot of time and effort, allowing them to focus on choosing and refining the best designs for the brand or client.

AI and UX Design

Another use of AI in generative design is creating layouts compatible with UX design research for websites (even social media). AI can help with the size of the screen, the amount of text and images to be used, accessibility, and the overall aesthetic style. An AI design tool can generate many different layout options quickly. Again, this saves time and can present options for the UX designer to work with.

AI can be used to create new fonts or typefaces, and to make existing ones better. This is where AI gets fun! It can help designers by generating new letter shapes based on existing ones or by automatically adjusting the spacing between letters. As mentioned above, AI can be used to analyze and improve the readability of fonts for people with visual impairments. This is such a great tool for a UX designer.

Artificial Intelligence and image manipulation

AI can be used to analyze images and automatically identify objects, people, and other elements in the image, and then use that information to create new designs or manipulate existing designs. For example, it can also be used to generate alternative color schemes or styles for a design, based on the brand's preferences.  However, it can be used to make fake images or "deep fakes" that are really convincing. They have become so popular there is a new term now: cheapfakes. A universal detection system would be a good idea, but will it happen?

The Use of Adobe Firefly, DALL·E and Midjourney

Is it good for graphic designer to use an AI system that can create realistic images and art from a description? I tried it! Some things worked well and some didnt. Recolor vectors, available in Firefly, provide the designer with a variety of colors that can be tweaked.

What didn't work well a short time ago using Midjourney and DALL.E was combining images, such as a horse swimming in the water. However, I've noticed that it has greatly improved in just a few short weeks. Some of the images are amazing and realistic. That's if you can access it before it times-out or crashes due to too many users.

In a nutshell, here are some positive uses for AI graphic design:

1. Design automation: AI can be used to automate repetitive design tasks, such as creating templates, resizing images, and generating color palettes. 
2. Image enhancement: We can enhance and improve the quality of images, such as removing background noise, adjusting brightness and contrast, and even adding special effects automatically.
3. Customization: AI can be used to create customized designs for individual users or target audiences who are looking for a certain style or attribute.
4. Data visualization: Dynamic data visualizations, such as graphs and charts, can be created quickly and be visually pleasing.
5. Branding and marketing: Creating branding and marketing materials, such as logos, banners, and social media posts can become faster. AI-powered design tools can analyze a brand's existing visual identity and generate designs that align with its style and values. From what I've seen AI can provide some solid variations with different fonts, colors and graphics.

What I Really Think About AI

It can't be avoided. AI aided graphic design is already here. We can only expect to see even more growth in this area in 2023. But one thing is for certain: AI is not a replacement for human creativity and design skills. It's a tool that can help designers work more efficiently and effectively. Nothing beats humans for thinking and creating original designs. At least not yet.