ART AND DESIGN: IS AI A FRIEND OR FOE?

When we think of artificial intelligence (AI), we usually think of self-driving cars, voice assistants such as Siri or Alexa, computer games or even ChatGPT. Regardless of the area of business or science, the possibilities of artificial intelligence seem almost endless. Wherever mathematical models, automated queries and processes or recurring patterns play a role, AI is an area of interest. But what about art, or more specifically the design industry? Can AI be creative and artistic? Is AI more of a friend or foe here?

Summary

  • Today, AI can provide technical support and generate images and graphics faster
  • AI tools make room for inspiration, but cannot replace work steps
  • Human factor: many design steps require emotion, experience, and empathy

WHAT MAKES AI SO UNIQUE AND FASCINATING?

In the broadest sense, artificial intelligence refers to a computer system that is able to process large amounts of data, recognize patterns or dependencies and use them independently. Today, such AI applications are able to recognize or change faces (FaceAPP), suggest the fastest alternative route on the freeway (navigation apps) or record, expand and rearrange certain data in the shortest possible time and present it in a logic that is very similar to that of humans and easy to understand (ChatGPT). AI tools work in a similar way in design.

What can AI-Powered Design Tools Do Today?  

MOST TOOLS ONLY AVAILABLE ON A SUBSCRIPTION OR BETA

There are many AI- assisted design tools that make suggestions for colors and logos, spit out fonts or even generate layouts for websites (e.g., design.ai or uizard.io). However, the results are often limited, underwhelming or unoriginal. These tools quickly reach their limits, especially for professional designs with many specific requirements. Sometimes helpful for the simple user and the private homepage, but inadequate for professional design.

With Midjourney and Bing Image Creator, for example, there are also tools that can work specifically with and according to certain specifications. The AI is instructed via text in full sentences or with so-called “prompts” (a type of keyword). It then creates a semantic network from the specified keywords and all the stored data and converts this into drafts, sketches, and illustrations. The more data is available, the more impressive the result. A place for quick ideas and lots of inspiration? Yes and no. In addition to quick results, there are also some disadvantages. Many tools are only available to a limited extent without a subscription or are still in the beta phase. Operation is often cumbersome or not available in all languages. It is not (yet) possible to speak of a practical simplification of work here.

THE HUMAN FACTOR CANNOT BE REPLACED

Nevertheless, AI tools are developing at a rapid pace and could offer increasingly valuable benefits in the near future. The collection of huge amounts of data and the ever-improving recognition of patterns alone will change the way we work with customers and target groups. Just think of the adaptation of branding for different markets or diverse personalization. AI can provide support here, but there are still many design steps that require emotion, experience, and empathy. In other words, purely human attributes. In the professional creative process, for example, sketches, wireframes, and mood boards are created, presented, discussed, changed, and gradually optimized. There is no substitute for other aspects and influences such as deadlines, budget, and CI specifications and human inspiration.

Our conclusion

The fact is: AI can now provide technical support and create images and graphics faster, but it can’t sell a story. Not yet, because artificial intelligence will significantly change the world of work. It does not necessarily depend on humans, but it will soon depend on those who refuse to use it instead of actively utilizing it. Until then, human designers with their experience, emotions, imaginations, capacity for empathy and reason, and simply human intelligence will remain indispensable.

AI always needs input in order to shine. But sometimes, Commissioner Chance is the final source of ideas for artistic creation. A scene in the subway, a shape on a poster, a new shade of color in a shop window or a new word. This is where humans still manage to transfer ideas in a way that AI cannot.