Graphic design has come a protracted method since I began within the arts almost a decade and a half in the past. Enhancements in instruments like Photoshop or my private favourite, Procreate, from then to now have helped take away artistic roadblocks and pace up the design course of. Then, user-friendly design instruments like Canva have made design extra accessible to non-specialists.
Now, it’s 2024, and we discover ourselves within the throes of the “AI revolution.” We’re met with a ton of AI instruments for graphic design that promise to streamline our artistic workflows and extra. However is the juice actually well worth the squeeze with these instruments? As we speak, we discover out.
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Desk of Contents
Why use AI for graphic design?
From eradicating artistic blocks to saving time, listed below are three causes to contemplate including AI to your graphic design course of.
Take away Inventive Blocks
One of many foremost advantages I’ve discovered by utilizing AI is that it helps me take away artistic blocks. So, once I’m writing and hit a wall, fairly than observing a clean display screen, I’d ask ChatGPT to generate an instance use case for one thing. Even when the textual content it generates is clunky and unusable, it at the very least provides me a place to begin.
In the case of design, particularly, the identical goes for one thing like colour pairing. With out AI help or pre-created palettes, I battle to decide on a couple of colour for a design. (As you’ll see later, a selected AI instrument for graphic design may also help take away that artistic block.)
Inventive Experimentation
As an Illustration graduate who specialised in printmaking, I can inform you first-hand that artistic experimentation in actual life will get messy.
Not solely is the method typically messy, however it could possibly take up plenty of house. Earlier than it, a number of bodily variations of your experimentations are mounting up, and the subsequent problem is the place to retailer them.
Other than that, non-digital artistic experimentation is usually riskier. With out the trustworthy “Ctrl Z” or equal at your disposal, you’re at all times one transfer away from ruining a design. The crux? It’s sufficient to place you off even attempting, and that’s not good for enterprise.
However I’m not just a few random ex-art grad on a cleaning soap field lecturing you about artistic expression with out simply trigger. I’m additionally a enterprise proprietor shouting from the rooftops about one key reality: Experimentation is the driving drive behind innovation. So, the extra you possibly can encourage it in your self and, if related, your group, the higher.
Save Your self Time
There’s a cause 95% of execs utilizing AI say it helps them spend much less time on guide duties. And an extra 83% say it helps them deal with the artistic points of their position.
By automation, AI may also help you simplify your artistic workflow, be it by bulk edits or producing designs in a number of prompts. Additionally, by eradicating artistic blocks and offering a approach to experiment at pace, you may get from an idea to a remaining design a lot faster.
That stated, there’s one thing magical about making a bodily piece you can maintain in your arms. And with out all these years spent within the print room or experimenting with totally different mediums — from textiles to gloopy oil paints — I don’t assume I’d perceive easy methods to use AI to realize my desired final result.
How I Examined the Greatest AI Graphic Design Instruments
I examined every instrument towards the next standards:
- Value. I wished to know for those who might get began with the instrument without cost. (As a facet observe, it’s value exploring how a lot it should value you to truly obtain and use the top product for business functions.)
- Ease of use. I wished to check how intuitive and user-friendly the design platform was.
- Design capabilities. I wished to know the way broad every instrument’s design capabilities had been. Extra particularly, I attempted to grasp whether or not the instruments’ AI parts had been overhyped or genuinely useful.
- Licenses and copyright. I wished to know for those who might use the top merchandise commercially. Bonus factors if the businesses behind the instruments actively defend folks from potential authorized motion after utilizing designs created by the platform.
- Ethics. As a artistic, I used to be interested in how every firm skilled the AI fashions. I personally would like to not use a instrument that didn’t work with creatives pretty or didn’t brazenly state the way it skilled the fashions.
AI Instruments for Graphic Design
I road-tested six instruments for graphic design. Right here’s what I discovered.
1. Adobe Firefly
Adobe Firefly is a generative machine-learning mannequin particularly for design. You will get it as a part of the Adobe Inventive Cloud throughout the Photoshop (beta) app or as a stand-alone instrument.
A preferred use case for Adobe Firefly is to “create gorgeous, life-like photographs.” Nonetheless, you can even use the instrument for AI picture modifying (i.e., altering backgrounds and eradicating undesirable parts out of your photographs).
I made a decision to attempt the stand-alone instrument for producing photographs from scratch. For context, keep in mind what I stated earlier about having an Illustration diploma and spending so much of time in a printmaking studio. So, I’d undoubtedly say my bias is towards the extra painterly/illustrative facet of graphic design.
My immediate: “A easy black define of a mountain drawn within the model of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings drawings coloured with random splotches of drawing ink in magenta, blue, purple, and gold.”
I used to be truly fairly impressed with the output, particularly contemplating I solely prompted the instrument and didn’t configure any of the settings initially.
However how does Adobe Firefly stack up if you get extra particular with the settings? I headed to the Basic settings part and selected Artwork because the content material kind to search out out.
For my part, the setting change didn’t make that a lot distinction to the output. However that might be as a result of the unique immediate was biased in the direction of an “artwork” kind of output anyway.
As an extra experiment, I additionally adjusted the immediate to carry extra whitespace into the mountain portion of the design. Adobe Firefly interpreted that as extra whitespace, generally, fairly than within the mountain part itself. Lengthy story quick, that didn’t work out as I envisioned, so I ditched that portion of the immediate.
After that, I experimented with the Shade and tone setting, selecting Golden. I didn’t count on a lot from this setting change, however I trulycherished this output.
I might create one thing comparable digitally utilizing Procreate, which might take a while. Or I might make one thing like this by hand utilizing both woodcut/block or lino printing, which might take hours, possibly even days, relying on the complexity of the design.
I’ll say that with one thing like this (private work), it’s typically in regards to the journey as a lot because the vacation spot. And though it took mere seconds to supply, it wasn’t as enjoyable to create this digitally as it might’ve been by utilizing conventional printing and even with biro and drawing ink.
What I like: Adobe Firefly first piqued my curiosity in 2023 when Sarah Rogers, a Contributing Artist at Cricut, posted in regards to the instrument on LinkedIn.
Greatest for: Particular person graphic designers, design groups, college students, college students and academics. And anybody trying to enhance their design abilities utilizing a accountable AI instrument.
Pricing: Get began without cost.
I’d adopted Sarah’s considerate LinkedIn posts about AI for some time. And we each appeared to have an analogous mindset relating to its use inside artistic endeavors. I don’t wish to converse for Sarah, however as for me, right here’s my mindset:
- Sure, you may be capable to pace up your artistic course of with AI — if you know the way to make use of it.
- No, you shouldn’t hearth all your artistic crew and substitute them with AI.
- And sure, you need to hold a wholesome degree of skepticism relating to the applying of AI inside your corporation. (A wholesome degree of skepticism, particularly in regards to the output of the instruments, authorized points like licensing, and the way the fashions are skilled.)
So, what caught my eye essentially the most about Sarah’s endorsement of Adobe Firefly was that Adobe is, seemingly at the very least, performing responsibly on this house.
They’re arguably the most accountable of us within the design instrument world relating to AI. That makes me really feel extra assured about any potential licensing points and that “no creatives had been harmed” in coaching the fashions.
2. Canva
Canva is a free on-line graphic design instrument. You should utilize it to create a variety of designs, similar to social media posts, logos, and displays.
Canva has built-in AI into its platform in a number of alternative ways, together with Magic Design, a text-to-image generator, and Magic Studio, which incorporates AI-driven picture modifying options and text-to-video technology.
As of late, I principally use Canva to make (some may say, hilarious) memes for my LinkedIn. Nonetheless, I used the instrument so much once I supplied social media advertising companies, so I wished to make use of Magic Studio to create a social media picture.
I began with a time-saving social media template — an Instagram submit particularly.
I selected Cream Minimalist New Assortment Instagram Submit by Kinley Inventive.
I wished to customise the picture, so I uploaded an image of a few of my very own paintings.
I additionally wished to add a font I’d not too long ago downloaded from Sort Colony. (That is TC Kuareen for those who’re .)
To add the font, I clicked on the “new assortment” templated textual content, chosen the font drop-down menu, and clicked “Add a font.”
As soon as I’d come this far, I noticed I’d not used any AI options. So my subsequent process was to attempt to discover some. However, attempt as I’d, I might solely discover two noticeable AI options throughout the picture editor.
Considered one of them was “Magic Write.” I might see that being useful for designers or enterprise house owners who need assistance writing copy. That stated, for those who don’t know easy methods to use AI properly, it’s no alternative for working with a skilled copywriter. After all, the identical goes for design.
The opposite AI characteristic was “Translate.” As soon as once more, I might see this being useful. Nonetheless, like copy and design, AI translation is not any alternative for having an precise translator to safeguard towards translation mishaps.
This might be my misunderstanding of the instrument, however I discovered it arduous to see a selected AI use case for social media graphic creation.
However I feel the instrument might be actually helpful for AI picture modifying. For instance, the “Magic Eraser” edit characteristic removes undesirable design parts, and “Magic Edit” provides to, replaces, or edits a picture in a number of clicks.
What I like: Canva is de facto user-friendly. I really feel like folks with various ranges of design data, and even these with little expertise utilizing design instruments might use it.
What I like: Canva is de facto user-friendly. I really feel like folks with various ranges of design data, and even these with little expertise utilizing design instruments might use it.
I additionally like that the platform has launched an “industry-leading assortment of strong belief, security, and privateness instruments” by Canva Protect. It looks like Canva can be safeguarding towards mental property claims for Enterprise prospects. Plus, they’re compensating Canva creatives for his or her work by an AI royalty program.
Greatest for: Particular person graphic designers, design groups, and small to enterprise companies.
Pricing: Get began without cost.
3. Designs.ai
Designs.ai is an built-in Company-as-a-Service platform powered by AI know-how. It’s a one-stop store for the whole lot from emblem design to social media and picture technology. You possibly can even convert textual content to speech for voice-over content material.
I attempted making a social media picture to see how Designs.ai compares to Canva, primarily as a result of I wished to know if the AI points of this instrument had been extra outstanding.
My first thought was that for those who’ve used Canva earlier than, it received’t take you lengthy to become familiar with the format for this part of the instrument. However even for those who haven’t, the Designs.ai platform is simple and intuitive. I can see most individuals with the ability to decide up this instrument and run with it to a point.
At first look, the social media part is similar to Canva by way of selecting templates to customise based mostly on the channel (Fb, Instagram, and many others.). So, it’s fairly normal stuff, actually. The “Wizard” possibility, nonetheless, caught my eye.
The default format is “Enterprise Card,” however you possibly can select from totally different choices, similar to “Quotes,” “Product Listings,” and “YouTube Thumbnail.” I picked “Instagram Submit” to match the outcomes to Canva.
Along with the totally different design format choices, you can even select from predetermined classes like “Occasions & Celebrations,” “Enterprise, Authorized & Finance,” and “Animal & Pet.” I chosen “Artwork, Design & Inspiration.”
As a facet observe, I had to enroll/check in to add my very own title picture. However I did the whole lot till that time through the web site with out signing up for the platform.
After inputting the design variables, I hit Generate. The choices the instrument spat out weren’t standout designs, however they had been higher than I anticipated — a nice shock!
Subsequent, I chosen one of many urged designs to see what the picture editor was like. As with a lot of Designs.ai, the format is just like Canva.
For the sake of continuity, I might’ve missed one thing, however in contrast to Canva, so far as I’m conscious, you possibly can’t add your individual fonts to Designs.ai.
Total, I discovered the platform simple to navigate and use. That stated, I don’t assume this may serve your wants for those who wished to create advanced designs. I additionally couldn’t discover any details about how Designs.ai skilled its fashions, so I’m cautious of that facet.
There’s details about licensing, although. Usually, “completed tasks made with our artistic AI instruments might be distributed to advertise and promote your corporation.” Nonetheless, there are particular Do’s and Don’tssegmented by every facet of the instrument (Emblem, Social Media, Video, and many others.) that you simply may wish to take note of.
What I like: By way of AI, Designs.ai goes a step past Canva. I also can see the “Bulk Edit” operate coming in helpful if you wish to automate mass edits.
Greatest for: Small companies in the beginning of their journey who don’t have the price range for a designer. Particular person graphic designers or design groups specializing in holistic advertising.
Pricing: Get began without cost.
4. AutoDraw
AutoDraw is an AI instrument that mixes machine studying and drawings from artists. You should utilize the instrument to “draw stuff quick.” By way of graphic design use instances, you can use AutoDraw to make studying supplies and customized graphics. And for any design that requires a fast define, I can see Autodraw rushing up the method.
A warning: I don’t have my graphics pill arrange. So the whole lot you’re about to witness — hilarious although it could be — was executed with only a mouse. I’m guessing the instrument’s capabilities are far larger with a pill or a stylus at hand. Nonetheless, with out giving an excessive amount of away, it proves you can enter a horrible drawing into AutoDraw and get one thing higher again.
I made a decision to maintain issues easy with a very good outdated smiley face. First, I used the “Form” instrument to create a circle define, after which I used “AutoDraw” for the eyes and nostril. As you possibly can see, the AutoDraw parts inputted by me are … missing finesse, let’s say.
However that’s not an issue. The “Do you imply” part on the highest toolbar provides varied choices to finesse your drawing. So even when your try to attract a smiley face with only a mouse didn’t prove so properly, one click on on a smiley face up prime, and also you’re golden.
As you possibly can see the smiley face is now rather less insufferable to behold. Subsequent I used Choose to pick out after which delete the preliminary circle form I added. (It turned out to be pointless.) Et voila! A shiny glad clipart model particular person laughing … or one thing.
Concerning coaching the fashions, Google used “the identical know-how to guess what you’re attempting to attract,” as Fast, Draw!, which relied upon “artists, designers, illustrators, and pals of Google” so as to add drawings to the doodling information set.
I doubt the artists had been compensated for his or her work. Nonetheless, at the very least they shared designs willingly fairly than having them scraped by AI with out their consent.
What I like: I actually like that the instrument is easy to make use of, free, and, let’s be trustworthy, enjoyable! Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be supreme for advanced design work. That stated, for those who don’t have plenty of time and wish to visualise an concept rapidly, AutoDraw may also help.
Greatest for: Anybody who must convey concepts and ideas at pace.
Pricing: Get began without cost.
5. Khroma
Khroma is an AI graphic design instrument that helps you match your favourite colours right into a sequence of palettes. The instrument additionally blocks the colours you don’t like, in order that they’ll by no means discover their method into your palettes.
I like that this instrument is so specialised for a selected goal. And I can see this being a giant time saver for those who battle with colour pairing like me.
For context, I can decide a number of colours that I like, no downside. However I’m not at all times assured they go collectively and might get misplaced in evaluation paralysis. Because of this, I have a tendency to purchase pre-made colour palettes for my go-to illustrative instrument, Procreate.
After I clicked Generate, I used to be prompted to decide on 50 colours “to coach a colour generator algorithm” customized to me. I dove proper in and picked the colours that stood out to me at a look.
As I picked the colours, the “likes to go” part counted what number of colours I nonetheless had to decide on. The colour bar additionally began filling up with those I’d chosen up to now.
After selecting my 50 colours, I hit Begin Coaching.
Then, the outcomes got here in. The format for the colour pairings is gorgeous, and I see plenty of potential on this instrument.
One other fascinating ingredient of Khroma is you can visualize your colour pairings in several methods, together with “Sort” (the view above) and “Gradient” (the view beneath). You too can see how your colour decisions look as posters, photographs, and inside broader colour palettes.
Since Khroma helps you pair colours already in existence, I can’t see it being exploitative to creators or needing particular licenses for business use. However I can’t say that for sure, so do your due diligence.
What I like: If you click on the data icon towards every colour pairing, Khroma offers you with the colour codes. That can be such a time saver if you wish to colour match in one other design instrument.
Greatest for: Particular person designers and design groups trying to save time on colour choice and pairing.
Pricing: Get began without cost.
6. Looka
Looka is a platform particularly for emblem and model design. It makes use of synthetic intelligence and machine studying to create designs based mostly in your enter.
I began my take a look at by getting into an instance firm title and clicking Get began. From then on, Looka took me by a sequence of steps to assist me create a emblem.
Step one was to choose my {industry}. As you possibly can see, there’s a vary of sectors to select from.
I used to be then prompted to pick out some logos I preferred, adopted by some colours.
The next steps had been so as to add an organization title (once more, for some cause?) accompanied by a slogan after which to decide on some image sorts.
An statement: I preferred that Looka gave me notes about my firm title and slogan decisions as I inputted them. This might be helpful recommendation for inexperienced persons. Plus, you can even decide your individual symbols if you wish to be extra hands-on with the design.
After that, Looka generated a number of totally different logos for me. Whereas they had been competent logos, they had been too “out of the field” for me and lacked the artistic aptitude wanted for model differentiation. That stated, I didn’t go too deep into customizing the emblem.
This instrument shines extra within the presentation of the designs than within the designs themselves. For instance, I like that Looka offers design mock-ups so you possibly can see how your emblem will look on a enterprise card, web site, social media, and extra.
I couldn’t discover any specifics about how Looka skilled its AI fashions, however they at the very least handle the potential destructive affect on human designers right here:
By way of licensing and copyright, Looka says:
“Chances are you’ll not use any of Looka’s Finish Merchandise exterior of the Website, whether or not for business or private use, with out paying all relevant and respective Charges upfront. This contains each digital and bodily use of the Finish Merchandise.”
What I like: Total, the platform is intuitive and straightforward to make use of. I like that Looka doesn’t use templates; fairly, it generates every design based mostly in your particular enter. There’s additionally a variety of font, format, and colour choices.
Greatest for: New companies with out the price range to work with a designer. Particular person designers and design groups working particularly in branding.
Pricing: Get began without cost.
Seeking to pair your designs with AI-powered textual content? Get began with HubSpot AI right now.
The Backside Line on AI Instruments for Graphic Design
Let’s be trustworthy: A instrument is barely pretty much as good because the particular person wielding it. So, for those who don’t know a lot about graphic design ideas to start with, it’s unlikely you’ll create a brand-differentiating finish product. Nonetheless, if your method round your colours, typography, alignment, visible hierarchy, steadiness, and the remainder, AI can pace up your artistic course of.
Personally, I cherished testing out Adobe Firefly. The top output exceeded that sterile “out of the field” template, which feels widespread with different instruments. I additionally preferred that you can create one thing painterly in model.
Plus, I like Adobe’s moral strategy to utilizing AI. They’re working with creatives to coach their fashions responsibly and defending product customers towards potential licensing and authorized points.
