Graphic design has come an extended manner 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 inventive 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 inventive workflows and extra. However is the juice actually definitely worth the squeeze with these instruments? In the present day, we discover out.
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Desk of Contents
Why use AI for graphic design?
From eradicating inventive blocks to saving time, listed below are three causes to think about including AI to your graphic design course of.
Take away Artistic Blocks
One of many major advantages I’ve discovered through the use of AI is that it helps me take away inventive blocks. So, after I’m writing and hit a wall, reasonably than watching a clean display, I would ask ChatGPT to generate an example use case for one thing. Even when the textual content it generates is clunky and unusable, it a minimum of provides me a place to begin.
In terms of design, particularly, the identical goes for one thing like colour pairing. With out AI help or pre-created palettes, I wrestle to decide on multiple colour for a design. (As you’ll see later, a particular AI device for graphic design might help take away that inventive block.)
Artistic Experimentation
As an Illustration graduate who specialised in printmaking, I can let you know first-hand that inventive experimentation in actual life will get messy.
Not solely is the method usually messy, however it could take up loads of house. Earlier than you recognize it, a number of bodily variations of your experimentations are mounting up, and the following situation is the place to retailer them.
Apart from that, non-digital inventive experimentation is commonly 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 inventive expression with out simply trigger. I’m additionally a enterprise proprietor shouting from the rooftops about one key truth: Experimentation is the driving force behind innovation. So, the extra you’ll be able to encourage it in your self and, if related, your group, the higher.
Save Your self Time
There’s a purpose 95% of professionals utilizing AI say it helps them spend much less time on guide duties. And an additional 83% say it helps them deal with the inventive points of their position.
By automation, AI might help you simplify your inventive workflow, be it by bulk edits or producing designs in a couple of prompts. Additionally, by eradicating inventive blocks and offering a method to experiment at pace, you may get from an idea to a remaining design a lot faster.
That mentioned, there’s one thing magical about making a bodily piece you could maintain in your arms. And with out all these years spent within the print room or experimenting with completely different mediums — from textiles to gloopy oil paints — I don’t assume I’d perceive how one can use AI to attain my desired end result.
How I Examined the Finest AI Graphic Design Instruments
I examined every device in opposition to the next standards:
- Value. I wished to know should you might get began with the device without spending a dime. (As a aspect observe, it’s value exploring how a lot it would value you to truly obtain and use the tip product for industrial 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 device’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 should you might use the tip 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 inventive, I used to be interested by how every firm educated the AI fashions. I personally would like to not use a device that didn’t work with creatives pretty or didn’t brazenly state the way it educated 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 Artistic Cloud inside the Photoshop (beta) app or as a stand-alone tool.
A well-liked use case for Adobe Firefly is to “create gorgeous, life-like pictures.” Nonetheless, you too can use the device for AI photograph enhancing (i.e., altering backgrounds and eradicating undesirable parts out of your pictures).
I made a decision to strive the stand-alone device for producing pictures from scratch. For context, keep in mind what I mentioned earlier about having an Illustration diploma and spending rather a lot of time in a printmaking studio. So, I’d undoubtedly say my bias is towards the extra painterly/illustrative aspect of graphic design.
My immediate: “A easy black define of a mountain drawn within the type 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 device and didn’t configure any of the settings initially.
However how does Adobe Firefly stack up once you get extra particular with the settings? I headed to the Common settings part and selected Artwork because the content material kind to seek out out.
For my part, the setting change didn’t make that a lot distinction to the output. However that may very well be as a result of the unique immediate was biased in direction of an “artwork” kind of output anyway.
As an additional experiment, I additionally adjusted the immediate to carry extra whitespace into the mountain portion of the design. Adobe Firefly interpreted that as extra whitespace, typically, reasonably than within the mountain part itself. Lengthy story brief, 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 trulybeloved 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 usually in regards to the journey as a lot because the vacation spot. And although it took mere seconds to supply, it wasn’t as enjoyable to create this digitally as it might’ve been through the use of 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 tool on LinkedIn.
Finest for: Particular person graphic designers, design groups, college students, college students and academics. And anybody trying to enhance their design expertise utilizing a accountable AI device.
Pricing: Get began without spending a dime.
I’d adopted Sarah’s considerate LinkedIn posts about AI for some time. And we each appeared to have an analogous mindset concerning its use inside inventive endeavors. I don’t wish to communicate for Sarah, however as for me, right here’s my mindset:
- Sure, you would possibly have the ability to pace up your inventive course of with AI — if you know the way to make use of it.
- No, you shouldn’t hearth your whole inventive staff and exchange them with AI.
- And sure, it’s best to hold a wholesome degree of skepticism concerning the appliance of AI inside what you are promoting. (A wholesome degree of skepticism, particularly in regards to the output of the instruments, authorized points like licensing, and the way the fashions are educated.)
So, what caught my eye probably the most about Sarah’s endorsement of Adobe Firefly was that Adobe is, seemingly a minimum of, appearing responsibly on this house.
They’re arguably the most accountable of us within the design device world concerning 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 device. You should use it to create a spread of designs, equivalent to social media posts, logos, and shows.
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 photograph enhancing options and text-to-video technology.
Today, I largely use Canva to make (some would possibly say, hilarious) memes for my LinkedIn. Nonetheless, I used the device rather a lot after I supplied social media advertising and marketing providers, 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 publish particularly.
I selected Cream Minimalist New Collection Instagram Post by Kinley Creative.
I wished to customise the picture, so I uploaded an image of a few of my very own art work.
I additionally wished to add a font I’d lately downloaded from Type Colony. (That is TC Kuareen should you’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 activity was to attempt to discover some. However, strive as I would, I might solely discover two noticeable AI options inside 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 mentioned, should you don’t know how one can use AI nicely, it’s no alternative for working with a educated copywriter. In fact, the identical goes for design.
The opposite AI function 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 in opposition to translation mishaps.
This may very well be my misunderstanding of the device, however I discovered it onerous to see a particular AI use case for social media graphic creation.
However I feel the device may very well be actually helpful for AI picture enhancing. For instance, the “Magic Eraser” edit function removes undesirable design parts, and “Magic Edit” provides to, replaces, or edits a picture in a couple of clicks.
What I like: Canva is admittedly user-friendly. I really feel like folks with various ranges of design information, and even these with little expertise utilizing design instruments might use it.
What I like: Canva is admittedly user-friendly. I really feel like folks with various ranges of design information, 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 Shield. It looks as if Canva can be safeguarding in opposition to mental property claims for Enterprise clients. Plus, they’re compensating Canva creatives for his or her work by an AI royalty program.
Finest for: Particular person graphic designers, design groups, and small to enterprise companies.
Pricing: Get began without spending a dime.
3. Designs.ai
Designs.ai is an built-in Company-as-a-Service platform powered by AI expertise. It’s a one-stop store for all the pieces from brand design to social media and picture technology. You’ll be able to 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 device had been extra distinguished.
My first thought was that should you’ve used Canva earlier than, it gained’t take you lengthy to familiarize yourself with the format for this part of the device. However even should you haven’t, the Designs.ai platform is simple and intuitive. I can see most individuals with the ability to decide up this device 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 primarily based on the channel (Fb, Instagram, and so on.). So, it’s fairly commonplace stuff, actually. The “Wizard” choice, nonetheless, caught my eye.
The default format is “Enterprise Card,” however you’ll be able to select from completely different choices, equivalent to “Quotes,” “Product Listings,” and “YouTube Thumbnail.” I picked “Instagram Put up” to match the outcomes to Canva.
Along with the completely different design format choices, you too can select from predetermined classes like “Occasions & Celebrations,” “Enterprise, Authorized & Finance,” and “Animal & Pet.” I chosen “Artwork, Design & Inspiration.”
As a aspect observe, I had to enroll/check in to add my very own title picture. However I did all the pieces 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 device spat out weren’t standout designs, however they had been higher than I anticipated — a pleasing shock!
Subsequent, I chosen one of many prompt 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 not like Canva, so far as I’m conscious, you’ll be able to’t add your individual fonts to Designs.ai.
General, I discovered the platform straightforward to navigate and use. That mentioned, I don’t assume this may serve your wants should you wished to create complicated designs. I additionally couldn’t discover any details about how Designs.ai educated its fashions, so I’m cautious of that facet.
There may be information about licensing, although. Usually, “completed tasks made with our inventive AI instruments could be distributed to advertise and promote what you are promoting.” Nonetheless, there are particular Do’s and Don’tssegmented by every facet of the device (Brand, Social Media, Video, and so on.) that you just would possibly wish to take note of.
What I like: When it comes to 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.
Finest for: Small companies in the beginning of their journey who don’t have the funds for a designer. Particular person graphic designers or design groups specializing in holistic advertising and marketing.
Pricing: Get began without spending a dime.
4. AutoDraw
AutoDraw is an AI device that mixes machine studying and drawings from artists. You should use the device to “draw stuff quick.” When it comes to graphic design use circumstances, you would use AutoDraw to make studying supplies and customized graphics. And for any design that requires a fast define, I can see Autodraw dashing up the method.
A warning: I don’t have my graphics pill arrange. So all the pieces you’re about to witness — hilarious although it could be — was accomplished with only a mouse. I’m guessing the device’s capabilities are far better with a pill or a stylus at hand. Nonetheless, with out giving an excessive amount of away, it proves you could enter a horrible drawing into AutoDraw and get one thing higher again.
I made a decision to maintain issues easy with a superb outdated smiley face. First, I used the “Form” device to create a circle define, after which I used “AutoDraw” for the eyes and nostril. As you’ll be able to see, the AutoDraw parts inputted by me are … missing finesse, let’s consider.
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 end up so nicely, one click on on a smiley face up prime, and also you’re golden.
As you’ll be able to 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 comfortable clipart type particular person laughing … or one thing.
Relating to coaching the fashions, Google used “the identical expertise to guess what you’re attempting to attract,” as Quick, Draw!, which relied upon “artists, designers, illustrators, and buddies 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, a minimum of they shared designs willingly reasonably than having them scraped by AI with out their consent.
What I like: I actually like that the device is easy to make use of, free, and, let’s be sincere, enjoyable! Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be preferrred for complicated design work. That mentioned, should you don’t have loads of time and wish to visualise an thought rapidly, AutoDraw might help.
Finest for: Anybody who must convey concepts and ideas at pace.
Pricing: Get began without spending a dime.
5. Khroma
Khroma is an AI graphic design device that helps you match your favourite colours right into a collection of palettes. The device additionally blocks the colours you don’t like, in order that they’ll by no means discover their manner into your palettes.
I really like that this device is so specialised for a particular objective. And I can see this being an enormous time saver should you wrestle with colour pairing like me.
For context, I can decide a couple of colours that I like, no drawback. However I’m not at all times assured they go collectively and may get misplaced in evaluation paralysis. Consequently, I have a tendency to purchase pre-made colour palettes for my go-to illustrative device, 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 thus far.
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 loads of potential on this device.
One other fascinating ingredient of Khroma is you could visualize your colour pairings in numerous methods, together with “Sort” (the view above) and “Gradient” (the view under). You may as well see how your colour selections look as posters, pictures, 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 industrial use. However I can’t say that for sure, so do your due diligence.
What I like: Once you click on the data icon in opposition to every colour pairing, Khroma offers you with the colour codes. That will probably be such a time saver if you wish to colour match in one other design device.
Finest for: Particular person designers and design groups trying to save time on colour choice and pairing.
Pricing: Get began without spending a dime.
6. Looka
Looka is a platform particularly for brand and model design. It makes use of synthetic intelligence and machine studying to create designs primarily based in your enter.
I began my take a look at by coming into an instance firm title and clicking Get began. From then on, Looka took me by a collection of steps to assist me create a brand.
Step one was to choose my {industry}. As you’ll be able to see, there’s a vary of sectors to select from.
I used to be then prompted to pick out some logos I appreciated, adopted by some colours.
The next steps had been so as to add an organization title (once more, for some purpose?) accompanied by a slogan after which to decide on some image sorts.
An commentary: I appreciated that Looka gave me notes about my firm title and slogan selections as I inputted them. This may very well be helpful recommendation for rookies. Plus, you too can decide your individual symbols if you wish to be extra hands-on with the design.
After that, Looka generated a couple of completely different logos for me. Whereas they had been competent logos, they had been too “out of the field” for me and lacked the inventive aptitude wanted for model differentiation. That mentioned, I didn’t go too deep into customizing the brand.
This device 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’ll be able to see how your brand will look on a enterprise card, web site, social media, and extra.
I couldn’t discover any specifics about how Looka educated its AI fashions, however they a minimum of deal with the potential unfavorable impression on human designers here:
When it comes to licensing and copyright, Looka says:
“You might not use any of Looka’s Finish Merchandise outdoors of the Website, whether or not for industrial 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: General, the platform is intuitive and simple to make use of. I like that Looka doesn’t use templates; reasonably, it generates every design primarily based in your particular enter. There may be additionally a variety of font, format, and colour choices.
Finest for: New companies with out the funds to work with a designer. Particular person designers and design groups working particularly in branding.
Pricing: Get began without spending a dime.
Seeking to pair your designs with AI-powered textual content? Get started with HubSpot AI today.
The Backside Line on AI Instruments for Graphic Design
Let’s be sincere: A device is simply nearly as good because the particular person wielding it. So, should you 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 you recognize your manner round your colours, typography, alignment, visible hierarchy, steadiness, and the remaining, AI can pace up your inventive course of.
Personally, I beloved testing out Adobe Firefly. The tip output exceeded that sterile “out of the field” template, which feels frequent with different instruments. I additionally appreciated that you would create one thing painterly in type.
Plus, I really like Adobe’s moral strategy to utilizing AI. They’re working with creatives to coach their fashions responsibly and defending product customers in opposition to potential licensing and authorized points.
