It seems like every tech company is trying to push AI into their products. Tech entrepreneurs promise the world with this technology. It’s game changing! Life changing! They claim there’s nothing it cannot do.
It’s the new, trendy product; the thing every one is talking about. While it may seem to have some pretty impressive uses, is it right to use for your graphic design, logo design and small business? How will your customers perceive your brand’s image if you use this technology for your marketing? Let’s take a closer look and decide if you should use AI in graphic design.
What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence describes the ability of computers to learn and to perform tasks that people typically do. As AI has grown, the focus of it has revolved around problem solving, solutions to questions, decision making, language processing and much more.
What can AI do for us?
The promise of AI is to make things easier for the consumer and automate tasks that people do not want to do. There are great uses for AI in our every day life. Recommendations for TV shows and movies on Netflix, advertisements on your social media and local results in your search engine all have roots in artificial intelligence. This helps to tailor unique results to each person. This all sounds great, right? If AI can quickly answer questions and recommend things for me before I even know what I want, it should be able to solve my design problem, right? Well…
AI in Graphic Design and Marketing
Artificial Intelligence in art and graphic design is like a Hot Pocket. A Hot Pocket can get the job done if you’re hungry. Is it good? No. Is it good for you? Of course not.
Think of that when considering the designs that AI is producing right now. Sure, it can get the job done. But is it good for your business? Is it good for the image you want to project to your potential customers or existing customers? Let’s learn more about AI in graphic design and see how it impacts your business.
What is AI Art?
The most common term thrown around when speaking about AI art is machine learning. A user will enter text prompts and the AI art generator will use its machine learning to produce art.
But the important question is, what is this machine learning from? This is where things start to get tricky and begins to open up ethical and quality issues if using this art for your business.
Data sets for AI art are obtained from existing artwork, drawings, illustrations and designs. This is necessary in order to help the AI programs learn different artwork styles and techniques. However, this isn’t obtained with explicit permission from the artwork’s original creators. So what are you left with as a finished product? Is this a new piece of art? Does this solve your graphic design needs in a way that is unique for your business and image?
The AI programs are not freely thinking in order to solve your problem and need. And if this is the route you are choosing to market your business, what message are you sending to your customers?
The 6 Fingered Problem with AI Art
The results from AI art leave a lot to be desired. We are left with images of people with extra fingers and hands. People have extra teeth and smiles that are too wide. The people that are created have an uncanny valley effect to their look. The results of AI art are soulless and heartless. It’s a down and dirty shortcut and is that the message you want to give your customers? If you are cutting corners here, where else will you do the same?
It’s important to show your customers that you care about your business’s image, marketing and design just as much as you care about the service you’re providing them. Customers judge you quickly. Image matters and taking the extra step in growing yours sets you apart from your competition.
If you’re read all of this and are left thinking “this guy is out of touch and I disagree with everything he’s said, AI is AWESOME!”…well, that’s great! We’re just not a match to work together and that’s totally fine! If you’re looking to help your business grow, reach out and let’s talk!
