AI and Design: Catalysts for Innovation or Job Threatening?
As someone deeply invested in the graphic design industry and how it keeps changing (too much), I've often found myself googling articles predicting the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on our industry. Contrary to popular belief, the real threat isn't the rise of AI but the reluctance of individuals to adapt. The AI development over recent years has become a huge focus of technology companies, but it has always been around, it is just now gaining speed and being implemented into an academic and professional landscape. AI is turning to be a symbiotic relationship with people and their professional interests.
The industry has changed due to the developments of AI's like Adobe Sensei, MidJourney, OpenAI's Chat GPT, and much more. Some are information based like ChatGPT4, and others like Adobe Sensei is more creative with autofill and vector making. These technologies showcase the potential of AI to automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for designers to delve into more complex and creative aspects of work. Using the work by citing it, or using it as inspiration showcases the adaptability of Designers and how they can manipulate the tools that are offered today to their advantage.
“AI is automating tasks, generating new ideas, and creating innovative designs. Graphic designers who embrace AI and learn how to use it to their advantage will be well-positioned to succeed in the future.”
So, is AI the threat, or is people who know how to use it? Amidst the fears of AI-induced job losses, research from McKinsey & Company emphasizes that the real danger is not the technology itself, but in those unwilling to adapt to learn it or use it. The study shows that 87% of companies adopting AI to their SOPs or structure believe they have a competitive advantage. This underscores the importance of fostering a workforce skilled in AI to ensure a thriving industry. It shows that companies are looking for people to learn it and use it to their competitive advantage. Translating it to the design industry, it can have a heavy impact on;
Inspiration Sources
Time Management
Designer Input on the parts of the design process that matter
Organizational Tasks
Much More!
McKinsey & Company - "Notes from the AI frontier: Tackling the impact of AI on the workforce"
Rather than seeing AI as a threat, it's time for graphic designers to embrace it as a tool that can enhance their skills and careers. Learning AI allows designers to automate rather boring or redundant tasks, providing them with the time management to focus on ideation and innovative design solutions that AI might bring up or show. AI as a creative partner is more than just being efficient too, AI can serve as a creative partner for graphic designers. Machine learning algorithms can analyze data offering insights into emerging trends or statistics. AI is not meant to replace the creativity of humans or our intuition, but as a companion and skill to learn. Employers, regardless of their technical background, appreciate efficiency in the workplace. By showcasing how AI can enhance productivity and project turnaround times, designers can communicate a commitment to efficiency that any employer can appreciate. We all want stuff on time or early, so why not use something that can expedite the process?
“Humans create tools, become enslaved by tools, and tools become external organs of the human body. This interplay between humans and AI, these strange phenomena of mutual influence, are the result of the interaction between carbon-based life and silicon-based civilization”
- NAV, The Art Insider
Overall, it is evident that AI is not the thing that designers should be fearing, it is not knowing what it is or how to use it that they should be worried about as it can put others at a competitive advantage. This shows how in such an industry that is ever changing, that being adaptable to a very new and wild asset can be detrimental to a designers skillset. For myself, I have spent a lot of time looking into AI and what is right and wrong, acceptable and not, so that I can work smarter, not harder.
Hi! Im Brian Stefanski
I always strive to create masterpieces that not only represents my passions, but also resonates with others on a deeper level. For me, the journey from academic pursuits to a world of Graphic Design is just beginning, and I'm ready to make my mark.
Have any questions or want to connect? Reach out and click the button below or go to the about page.