As a graphic designer, I’ve seen a huge change in our industry over the past year – using AI to help with the design process. When OpenAI launched DALL-E, it felt like a breakthrough that opened up totally new creative possibilities. This text-to-image AI model allowed us to make unique visuals just by describing our ideas in words.
Soon after, big companies like Adobe and Stability AI joined in, making their own efficient text-to-image AI tools. Suddenly, AI-generated images started appearing in designs everywhere. Social media was flooded with AI art, product mockups showed AI-made scenes, and even brand logos used the synthetic look.
Some of the Viral AI Generated Images
The sight of Elon Musk and his General Motors counterpart, Mary Barra, holding hands certainly caused a stir upon the initial release of the images.
This viral image depicted the two rival CEOs strolling hand in hand, evoking a sense of intimacy akin to dating. The unmistakable artificiality of the scene hinted at its absurdity, making it clear that these were digitally altered representations.
Heinz, in collaboration with the marketing agency Rethink Ideas, embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor: the launch of what they touted as “the inaugural ad campaign featuring visuals entirely generated by artificial intelligence.”
Earlier this year, the anticipation of whether former President Donald Trump would face indictment gripped the world. As the verdict loomed, speculative imagery emerged, depicting scenarios of Trump’s potential arrest.
Eliot Higgins, the founder of the Bellingcat journalist platform, caused a stir with a tweet on March 21, teasing, “Crafting images of Trump’s apprehension while awaiting the outcome.”
In the tweet, he unveiled a collection of images portraying Trump being escorted away by law enforcement officers. Created using AI by Midjourney, these visuals garnered significant attention, amassing 6.7 million views.
I am not done yet. Even I have used AI to create images for my post for Gaamayan. The first slide depicts Lord Krishna playing chess, while the second and third slides show scenes from the Mahabharata where Lord Krishna invited Duryodhana and Arjuna before the war. If AI hadn’t been invented, I’d ponder how much time it would take me to create such images on my own.
Outside of social media, I’ve also noticed AI imagery being used for product mockups, website headers, and even album covers. There’s something really captivating about the unique, often abstract visuals these AI models can make.
While I find the AI art trend fascinating, my work as a branding and print designer doesn’t always fit with the surreal, synthetic look. Corporate clients and traditional brands often want a more polished, realistic style that makes them look trustworthy and professional. However, I have tried using AI-generated textures and backgrounds for some projects, finding small ways to include the trend without changing the overall brand identity too much.
When it comes to my portfolio, I tend to create work based on what the project needs rather than following trends. But I’ve found it helpful to have a few AI-assisted pieces to show that I’m versatile and willing to use new technologies.
In the end, whether I use AI imagery for a project depends on what the client wants and how it will be used. For social media campaigns or projects aimed at younger, trendier audiences, AI art can be a great way to get attention and interest. But for more traditional branding or print work, I often find it better to stick to the client’s established look and guidelines.
The rise of AI in graphic design has been really exciting but also challenging. While it has opened up new creative paths, it has also forced designers like me to adapt and find meaningful ways to integrate this technology into our work. As AI capabilities keep improving quickly, I’m really eager to see how it will shape the future of our industry and push the limits of what’s possible for visual communication.
Resources
- abhinav (2024). Exploring The Uses Of AI Art For Social Media Posts. [online] Airbrush. Available at: https://www.airbrush.ai/uses-of-ai-art-for-social-media-posts/.
- Marr, B. (n.d.). The Rise Of Generative AI In Design: Innovations And Challenges. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2023/12/13/the-rise-of-generative-ai-in-design-innovations-and-challenges/?sh=58df50605fab.
- NightCafe Creator. (2023). AI Art for Marketing: The New Frontier in Advertising. [online] Available at: https://nightcafe.studio/blogs/info/ai-art-for-marketing-the-new-frontier-in-advertising.
- Toloka (2023). History of generative AI. [online] History of generative AI. Available at: https://toloka.ai/blog/history-of-generative-ai/.
- Kantrowitz, A. (2022). Face to Face With Dall-E, The AI Artist That Might Change The World. [online] Medium. Available at: https://kantrowitz.medium.com/face-to-face-with-dall-e-the-ai-artist-that-might-change-the-world-e9057e9e89a.
- GaamayanPix (2023). Instagram. [online] www.instagram.com. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1cAX04M_mb/.
- isha.sadhguru.org. (2012). Duryodhana’s Big Mistake – Stories From Mahabharat. [online] Available at: https://isha.sadhguru.org/en/wisdom/article/duryodhana.
- Wong, V. (2023). 8 Viral Images Created by Generative AI Tools. [online] Piktochart. Available at: https://piktochart.com/blog/viral-ai-images/.
- Norris, P. (2023). 10 Impressive Examples of AI in Marketing – Social Media Strategies Summit Blog. [online] Blog Social Media. Available at: https://blog.socialmediastrategiessummit.com/10-examples-of-ai-in-marketing/.
