In recent years, there has been a popular debate about what artificial intelligence is capable of.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are popping up everywhere, even in the most unlikely industries. We often see this as a comparison between humans and computers. Can they do what we do? Can they do it better, more efficiently and more accurately?

In some cases, the answer is obvious: we are already seeing machines replacing people in factories and industries that require specific and repetitive operations. Artificial intelligence is also emerging in new areas such as medicine, poker, trucking, and design.

One of the most controversial spaces that artificial intelligence has burst into is design and other creative industries.

Design and artificial intelligence

It’s hard to imagine how machine learning can be applied to creative and personalized processes like logo and branding. But that’s exactly what some of the newer services are doing right now.

Services like Logojoy and b12 are changing our expectations for graphic design.

They use special algorithms to design logos and websites, so it’s significantly cheaper than hiring a live designer. In theory, this is a great option for new business owners on a tight budget.

But can designs created by artificial intelligence compare to designs created by designers? Let’s take a look at where designers and AI have advantages and disadvantages.

Designers as curators, not creators

Already, there are various services that are put at the service of designers. For example, Autodesk Dreamcatcher, which uses algorithmic techniques to create various abstract designs.

Or Autodraw, which analyzes your gnarled drawing and suggests a better option instead.

As machines get smarter, we will see a shift from creator designer to curated designer. For example, if a designer in the future can define content logic, aesthetics, and typography for projects, then AI can come up with thousands of iterations of projects. This will greatly enhance the ability of designers to explore, experiment, and improve in a short period of time.

AI systems will be able to process information 24/7 with a high level of detail, which an ordinary person cannot do. Therefore, designers must let the machines do the hard work while they set up the project.

Let’s start with the fact that AI does not yet exist in its pure form, there are no signs of it, but engineers have made great strides in creating expert systems and machine learning.

AI can help an expert right now, the range of tasks being solved is diverse, in logo design, the system could analyze trillions of indistinct data and somehow find patterns in colors and shapes that affect brand perception and sales. Stanislav Avzalov, founder of SDOBA digital.

Creativity

It’s hard to imagine that software can be truly creative.

According to an article by the Huffington Post, artificial intelligence cannot succumb to creative breakthroughs. The article argues that algorithms, by definition, cannot be unpredictable, since real creative innovation occurs organically, evolutionarily.

However, according to the article on the programmed poker player, the software was difficult to beat because it was completely unpredictable for humans. This is partly due to the fact that algorithms are capable of generating incredibly many different combinations of developments.

I believe that design in the short term is protected from AI because good design requires creative and social intelligence. Rob Geerling

Here it is worth making a reservation about what kind of AI we mean. If we are talking about AI, which is an intelligent system that performs creative functions inherent in humans, then we can say that such systems already exist and they can already partially replace designers. If we talk about “absolute” artificial intelligence, which is the integration of all other created AI and is able to solve absolutely all the problems and tasks of mankind, then here, I believe, we can talk not only about replacing a designer, but about replacing any possible type mental activity of a person. And not even just about replacement, but about the incredible superiority of such a system over a person. The creation of such a perfect AI, in my opinion, will happen no earlier than 10 years from now – but this does not take into account the fact that there are technologies that most people do not know about. Perhaps such an AI has already been created, but we simply do not know about it (yet). Artem Tikhomirov, AHA! Logo

Of course, AI cannot come up with an original idea yet, paint a picture like Mona Lisa. But if we talk about the selection of colors, their combination, the search for fonts, the generation of new styles, then the AI ​​will not be equal here, since it will be able to offer a large number of options in a relatively small amount of time. For example, Logojoy will generate different logos until you are happy with your design.

These services will suit you if you are looking for a simple, working logo, however, if you are looking for something really complex or original, you are better off working with a designer.

Working with a person definitely gives you more freedom. The problem with algorithmic design is that it can only create projects that match its algorithm, that is, those that the developer has programmed.

On the other hand, a designer also cannot come up with something completely new, because a lot of techniques and design solutions were created before him. For example, fonts, color combinations, images, etc., which can often be found in the work of many designers.

The only limitations for a person are his imagination, his abilities and time.

If you need inspiration and want countless logo design options, AI services can be a great choice for you. If instead you’re looking for intricate, original work, then a designer is your best bet.

Personalization

Like creativity, humans and artificial intelligence provide different possibilities for individualization. In theory, a designer will be able to tailor the design much better to your needs than any software. After seeing their initial designs, you can ask for almost any change and trust your designer. This can be a very long process, depending on how well you explain your vision and how well your graphic designer can reproduce your ideas. It can take a long time for your designer to bring the proposed changes to life.

One of the benefits of using online AI tools is the ability to make adjustments yourself. Instead of endlessly discussing it with the designer, you can make the necessary adjustments and see the results immediately.

A logo is an emotional product, not a logical one, here of course AI will be difficult, but on the other hand, a logo expresses a certain idea, symbolizes something, communicates a mood, etc. it

purely psychology, and AI can study and calculate a million combinations, simulate the roles of millions of different people in the mind and test all its million logo options, finding the best one. Outwardly, the result may not be impressive, but it will be scientifically justified. Stanislav Avzalov,

founder of SDOBA digital.

The initial stage of creating a logo is associated with the search for ideas on the outline of the logo, ideas, selection of colors and fonts. AI can analyze hundreds of industries and suggest which images, colors, fonts are most often used in logo creation.

For example, Logomak.com shows you the most popular colors and fonts in a given industry.

Industry research is a great place to start and will help you decide which direction to go.

The cost

As AI allows designers to quickly and easily create millions of designs, the productivity of most designers will skyrocket. We will be able to explore those directions that were previously inaccessible to us.

With increased productivity and efficient tools, it will be easier for hobby designers to create acceptable if not exceptional work for their clients and make it cheaper. After all, one of the most compelling reasons for using online tools is the price difference. In truth, commissioning a graphic designer can be very expensive. These costs can also increase with changes and time spent on your design.

By using the software, you can be sure to pay a fixed amount for your design. This is likely to be only a small fraction of the costs that you will spend on the work of a designer. Depending on what you need, an AI design tool can be an extremely affordable alternative to a professional designer.

Design routine

Providing a logo in dozens of different sizes, formats, as well as creating other design products with a logo is already possible using various online services. Again, AI can make this process faster and less costly.

And finally

With new demands, new opportunities are emerging for designers. As machines begin to do more production work, designers will need to have knowledge in areas such as statistics, data analytics, and cognitive science. Critics will try to convince us that AI will steal all our design assignments, but the reality is that when humans and computers work together amazing things can be achieved that neither side could accomplish on their own.

What do you think? Share your thoughts on this in the comments.

Author: Alex Truhanow