AI in graphic design and illustration is a hot topic, and many people have strong opinions about it. Some people believe artificial intelligence will open design to the masses, while others fear it’ll be the death of graphic designers everywhere.
Irrespective of what people believe, the AI market is expected to cross $1.4 trillion by 2030. With proper implementation, AI can benefit agriculture, energy management, cybersecurity, and media sectors.
Likewise, AI has revolutionized the design industry with the ability to make new designs and create variations in graphics, motion, web, and UX/UI design.
An AI graphic design tool featuring hyper-personalization for UX/UI design enables designers to create dynamic user interfaces customized to individual preferences and behaviors.
AI-powered photorealism is one of the most prominent trends for 2024, with AI tools like Midjourney capable of creating hyper-realistic images that rival photographic images in terms of detail and accuracy.
We aren’t talking about quick art generators. Instead, we’re referring to AI graphic design tools that let people create designs from scratch or help designers automate menial parts of the design process.
Let’s see how AI is changing graphic design, whether these changes are good or bad, and look at a few examples of artificial intelligence in graphic design.
What is AI in graphic design?
Artificial intelligence in graphic design refers to using AI-driven design to generate graphics from user parameters or prompts. Although AI-assisted design tools can create mind-blowing visuals, they still require human intervention to conceptualize design and enter appropriate prompts.
Based on how designers use an AI graphic design tool, we typically have two types of AI graphic design tools:
Generative design tools
Generative design AI programs create images, text effects and color shades in response to simple text-based prompts the user provides. Adobe Firefly, DALL·E 2 and Midjourney are common examples of such creativity-enhancing AI tools.
You can see a few examples of Adobe Firefly’s generated images here:
While generative design tools enhance creativity by enabling rapid experimentation with new ideas and concepts, they remain controversial. The machine learning algorithms involved trained on art from real artists who did not always give their permission for their work to be used.
AI-assisted design tools
AI-assisted tools comprise of applications or plugins that simplify the workflow by automating repetitive tasks and improving precision through machine learning.
For instance, these tools can remove backgrounds and resize or color-correct images based on user selection. They can also translate designs into CSS and develop brand kit ideas.
Such tools can support the designer’s existing work by enhancing efficiency.
How AI is changing the design industry
AI greatly impacts the design process and affects everything, from who creates graphics to how designers work.
65% of companies reported regular use of generative AI in design, nearly double from 2023.
Already, many human designers are changing how they approach content creation. Instead of developing everything from scratch, they will use an AI graphic design tool to create mockups, work out the typography and color scheme or generate templates they can personalize.
AI enables rapid experimentation with patterns, fabrics, and visual concepts, lowering barriers to entry for aspiring designers. To cater to the demand for image generation, graphic designers are looking for ways to incorporate AI into their workflow and automate repetitive tasks.
With AI applications like OpenAI’s Sora (for video generation) and Adobe Firefly, designers can produce content more frequently and feel an enhancement in both creativity and production speed. They help designers blend photorealism with unique, surreal aesthetics in motion graphics.
AI-assisted UX platforms can generate customized designs, such as Canvas AI Magic, which helps users build personalized websites and visuals.
Similarly, designers find AI helpful in the design research and exploration phase. They can use generative AI to generate dozens of templates from a single sketch, each with variations in colors, shapes or element placement.
In general, AI in graphic design will significantly streamline workflows by automating repetitive manual tasks, improving the designers’ efficiency and resulting in faster and more efficient project completion.
It will also mean custom designs become more accessible to more users and unlock creative freedom. For designers, it means they’ll have more time to focus on the creative processes or work on their portfolio website.
The transformation to creativity-enhancing AI solutions can provide “good enough” design services to customers. AI-generated hyper-realistic renderings, however, have diminished in novelty since AI tools are making them easy to generate.
Designers believe that an AI graphic design tool does not effectively address common challenges such as client management, design ethics, and cultural sensitivity. Additionally, AI-generated design ideas often lack emotional context and can be ambiguous.
Benefits of AI in graphic design
AI graphic design tools can help website owners save time and money on things like logo design. Not to mention, you don’t need to spend hours learning design software to do basic edits like background removal.
In particular, AI tools will help:
Save time:
AI can remove backgrounds from pictures, handle basic photo editing and perform other menial tasks. Many of these tasks used to take hours for an average person to do, but with AI, they can do so in minutes.
Some AI platforms, like Adobe Sensei, even let you match colors in a frame and use generative AI to auto-create slideshows or collages. Tools such as Content-Aware fill-in Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, and Auto-Reframe in Premiere Pro demonstrate how AI can refine your creative projects.
Remove guesswork:
AI powered tools don’t rely on eyes like humans do. The AI programs depend on datasets and machine learning, meaning they break colors down to their numbers and make recommendations off the back of that data.
So, while graphic designers might have to adjust a particular shade of orange a few times to see which looks “best” with a shade of blue, an AI design tool will look at the hex code or RGB value and select colors based on the value. It can create a complementary or analogous color set much faster than graphic designers.
Save money:
Many AI programs have competitive pricing and will save you money compared to hiring a professional graphic designer. This may be a good option if you only need a few graphics here and there.
Enlightens your creative spirit:
An AI tool analyzes vast design databases through advanced algorithms, generating unique patterns and styles that can inspire new concepts. AI-generated designs offer a starting point for more complex and refined work.
AI-assisted design tools push the boundaries of traditional aesthetics and allow designers to explore unconventional approaches.
While the promise of more art for less money may make AI seem like a no-brainer, there are a few issues to keep in mind.
Considerations surrounding AI in graphic design
As of now, artificial intelligence is a buzzword across various industries. We say “almost” because laws are still lagging. We don’t have clear regulations surrounding what’s acceptable and what’s not.
For instance, the U.S. copyright law doesn’t cover material created by anything other than a human. In other words, your AI-generated images cannot be copyrighted in the United States unless there is significant human intervention.
While it doesn’t restrict using AI as part of your process, you might need to take extra care while handling sensitive or high-impact designs like logos. For instance, when developing a logo for your business, relying solely on AI may risk generic results or legal issues related to intellectual property.
Another concern – Who is the owner?
AI art is in murky waters when it comes to ownership, too. Many beginners don’t realize that they may not own the rights to their work, or they may have input art from a different artist without their permission.
For instance, in September 2024, a federal lawsuit was filed against the U.S. Copyright Office in Colorado, seeking to overturn its refusal to consider an AI artwork as copyrighted to its creator.
To be on the safe side, it’s best to use designs you already have the rights for as AI inputs.
Lastly, read the specific usage rights of the programs you work with as well. Some AI tools specifically state they can reuse any designs you create using their program.
Examples of AI graphic design in action
Now that we’ve reviewed how you can benefit from using AI for graphic design, let’s look at more specific examples.
Using existing brand images to create new visuals
You can use existing brand graphics, photos and text for your brand as inputs for generative AI tools to repurpose and elevate content.
For instance, Adobe Firefly offers features such as Generative Fill, where designers can modify images by removing, adding, or replacing elements through simple text prompts. Additionally, Generative Recolor in Adobe Illustrator helps apply new themes and color variations to existing brand visuals, aligning them with updated campaigns or branding needs.
Creating color schemes
You can create visually appealing color palettes and simplify the process of generating color schemes with an AI tool like Khroma or Colormind. Khroma will generate personalized color combinations that complement your choices, perfect for a cohesive brand palette.
Colormind analyzes images, movies, or art to build harmonious color schemes. You can lock specific colors and adjust their placement to explore a variety of combinations, ensuring visually balanced and appealing results.
Automating basic image editing
Do you find Photoshop challenging to work with? Instead of struggling with complex software like Photoshop, you can quickly perform tasks such as background removal, object erasing, and even adding new elements with simple text prompts.
For example, Canva’s Magic Edit allows you to effortlessly remove distractions or people from photos, remove or change backgrounds, change facial expressions, or adjust lighting with just a few clicks. Perform functions like skin retouching or resize an image for social media with Canva, saving you time and effort.
Generating full graphics
You can also create fully generated graphics using prompts to create unique artwork.
For example, Nutella’s “Nutella Unica” campaign used AI to create 7 million distinct jar labels, each featuring a one-of-a-kind design while maintaining Nutella’s recognizable branding. It allowed them to deliver highly personalized products, enhance consumer engagement and drive sales.
Visualizing themes
Coca-Cola’s “Masterpiece” campaign brought classic art to life through AI-generated animations, blending live-action with famous artwork.
You can similarly use an AI tool to develop a brand or event theme. Nike’s “Never Done Evolving” campaign used AI to simulate a virtual match between Serena Williams from different eras, showcasing her evolution.
Imagine generating graphics that match your website design and using it to create a cohesive look for your Facebook or Instagram posts. Use AI to build other social media accounts, and seamlessly integrate the same design elements into your website.
Future implications of AI in graphic design
It’s hard to know exactly how AI will change graphic design, but we can assume the changes will be big.
AI art keeps becoming more sophisticated. In a 2023 survey of 504 Yale undergraduates, the respondents could tell apart images generated by AI and humans only 54% of the time. Soon it might be even more difficult.
At the minimum, you can expect the following changes:
Adoption of AI in brainstorming: More and more designers might rely on an AI graphic design tool to convert a single sketch into multiple mockups or alternate ideas.
Quick editing capabilities: We might see users regularly using AI tools to edit photos and illustrations on the fly.
AI-assisted design: Designers might incorporate generative AI into their design process for mundane tasks, finding relevant color combinations and getting design inspirations.
We can expect even more changes if the laws surrounding image copyrights change. But till then, AI in graphic design is set to revolutionize the creative process by integrating advanced tools into every stage of design, from ideation to execution.
Moreover, AI will enhance cross-disciplinary collaboration, allowing developers, product designers, and creatives to communicate ideas more efficiently. Design teams focus more on polished, human-driven outcomes while maintaining creative control.
Even if you aren’t going to use AI yourself, it’s helpful to keep up with these trends, whether you’re a designer or an entrepreneur looking to benefit from deep learning.
For instance, if you own an online jewelry store, you can rely on AI-assisted graphic design to edit your product images in batches.
Final thoughts: An overview of AI in graphic design
While AI in graphic design is a new concept, AI tools might not be as difficult to incorporate as you think.
Besides generating illustrations, you can automate tasks, create mood boards and quickly alter existing images.
You can also use an AI graphic design tool to beef up your portfolio and add product images to your e-commerce shop. Thanks to AI, the sky’s no longer the limit when it comes to what you dream up. You’re limited only by your imagination.
Whether you wish to host your AI-generated designs or start your AI-based marketing business, Bluehost offers many affordable hosting options. If you’re looking for a hands-off approach like what AI offers, you can give our WordPress hosting a try as well.
FAQs regarding AI graphic design
What is the scope of artificial intelligence in both web design and graphic design?
Although AI is currently at its beginning stages in both web and graphic design, the introduction of a human-centered design lays the foundation for an interesting collaboration.
Harvard Business Review reports McKinsey found that adoption of AI assisted design can lead to a 300% rise in exposure.
While many tools are still testing their alpha or beta versions, you can find AI in almost every graphic design stage, from planning to implementation.
How can artificial intelligence revolutionize UI/UX design?
AI can make it easier for non-designers to create the graphics they want. It will also make UI/UX much faster and more seamless than it has been.
Users can expect generative AI to remove much of the more repetitive work, meaning more time for the fun, creative aspect and less time spent rendering those ideas.
How important is AI to your job as a graphic designer?
AI will make a big difference in the graphic design process. It will automate repetitive tasks and replace other processes. It’s possible that, in a few years, designers will use AI tools that don’t even exist.
As a graphic designer, you should test these tools as any other tool that makes your job easier. Instead of worrying that AI will replace you, look for ways to work with AI.
Will AI take over illustration?
AI will probably change how illustrators work, but it doesn’t look like it will replace them completely.
We’ll probably use AI technology to replace parts of the illustration process, particularly in mockups or planning. Otherwise, human illustrators will still finalize the work to ensure everything meets client expectations.
