Artificial Intelligence and Graphics - Is AI a Threat?

Publication date: 05-02-2025  |  Update date: 05-02-2025  | Author: Piotr Kurpiewski

We live in a time where artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the graphic design industry. Does this signify the decline of traditional design? Perhaps it is an era where technology supports human creativity, opening doors to previously unexplored possibilities in creation. Analyzing current trends, the article predicts how AI's influence may shape the future of the graphic design industry and emphasizes the potential benefits of harmoniously integrating technology with human creativity.

What Impact Does Artificial Intelligence Have on Graphics?

Technology is evolving at an unimaginably rapid pace. What seemed impossible just a few years ago is now commonplace. One of the most innovative achievements of the last decade is the development of artificial intelligence (AI). But how does artificial intelligence affect the world of graphics and design? After all, this is a field where creativity, individual style, and emotions play a crucial role.

Today, thanks to tools such as: Midjourney, DALL·E, and Stable Diffusion, artificial intelligence demonstrates certain creative qualities. AI is capable of generating designs that are astonishing in quality and creativity, doing so in a time significantly shorter than that of a human. However, it's important to remember that these solutions are based on the data provided to them. Artists still possess the exceptional ability to create original works that express their personal view of the world.

Nevertheless, the situation is unprecedented. Will AI be able to replace graphic designers? Should we be afraid of it?

The History of Graphics: From Hand-Crafted Design to Digital Tools

Similar questions have been asked multiple times throughout history. Graphics, being a key element of visual communication, has a rich history. The advent and popularization of printing technology in the 15th century revolutionized the 'industry', enabling mass production and distribution of images and text. Previously, artistic representations were created by hand. However, art adapted to the changing conditions.

Today, it's no longer surprising that in the digital era, designers use computers and specialized software in their work. Art created using these means is still considered as such. From a historical point of view, the graphic industry is highly adaptable. Could AI be another tool to streamline the creative process of designers? With it, graphic artists could focus on the creative aspects of their work, while routine and time-consuming tasks are automated by artificial intelligence.

How AI is Changing the Graphic Industry

The revolution based on machine learning solutions has already impacted most graphic programs. Photoshop utilizes artificial intelligence to remove unwanted objects and create new ones. Illustrator can compose wrapping vector patterns solely based on a description. AI also creates interactive website layouts, and automatic logo generators are gaining popularity. Artificial intelligence is also used in trend analysis.

The change in the role of graphic designers in the era of artificial intelligence is inevitable. Machines process data at a speed that humans cannot achieve. As a result, many tasks that previously required human intervention can be automated. If your specialization is clipping (removing the background from a photo), you should deeply consider your professional future. With the development of AI, there is a risk that certain aspects of graphic work will be automated, reducing the demand for simple, repetitive tasks.

Challenges of the Graphic Industry in the Context of Developing Artificial Intelligence

The future of the graphic industry is full of unknowns. However, one thing is certain - artificial intelligence will be with us for a long time. Designers who adapt to this new reality, utilizing AI tools and acquiring new skills, will remain competitive. The current situation can be seen as an exceptional opportunity. Today, artificial intelligence can assist you by:

• Automating routine tasks,
• Facilitating complex processes, such as retouching or image scaling,
• Generating original textures and smaller parts of projects.

Ultimately, it's the collaboration between people and AI that leads to the best results. Look at the miniature of this article. It's the result of my collaboration with DALL·E 3. I asked artificial intelligence to prepare an illustration of a meeting between artificial intelligence and a group of graphic designers. The image was meant to depict collaboration and mutual curiosity without the need for adding any text. From the generated images, I chose the one that best fit my vision, then incorporated it into the template I had prepared, adjusting the color scheme and improving some details. Perhaps such supervision and creative directing of artificial intelligence is the perspective for the coming years?

Should Graphic Designers, Designers, and Architects Fear AI?

An exciting future is on the horizon for graphic designers and designers who are ready to accept and utilize the potential of artificial intelligence. AI should be seen as an ally, not a competitor. There's no need to fear it. You can read more about the use of AI in interior design in our article - How does artificial intelligence help interior designers?

In the graphic market, artificial intelligence will help increase efficiency and reduce tedious, routine operations. The technology will continue to develop, offering increasingly advanced tools. Designers who learn to use them will remain competitive. Examples of using AI in graphics can be seen in the article - How to create photorealistic visualizations in AI?