My Journey with AI in Style and Design: A Personal Perspective

As a Public Relations student, I am familiar with the constantly evolving computer-technology which is AI. Throughout my Style and Design in PR course this past semester, the ever-evolving landscape of creative tools, has heightened experience with AI in Adobe's creative suite, has been both enlightening and, at times, challenging. Today, I want to share my personal journey of incorporating AI into my design workflow, particularly focusing on my experiences with InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

Real-World Applications

One of my most significant projects involved creating a calendar featuring an American flag theme for a fictional fashion app launch. This project showcased both the potential and limitations of AI in creative work. I used AI to help generate and manipulate visual elements, creating a cohesive design that highlighted six new brand releases. The AI tools helped streamline the process of creating consistent visual themes while maintaining the patriotic motif throughout the calendar.

I also experimented with AI for homepage design, where I created a collage incorporating hand-picked images. The AI's ability to blend and arrange these elements while maintaining visual harmony proved invaluable. These tools transformed what would typically be hours of manual adjustments into a more streamlined process.

The Strengths: Where AI Shines

The most remarkable aspect of working with AI in design has been its handling of meticulous details. Tasks that would traditionally require careful, time-consuming manual work can now be accomplished more efficiently. Whether it's fine-tuning image compositions or adjusting design elements, AI has become an invaluable assistant in handling the more tedious aspects of design work.

Through various smaller projects across InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator, I've discovered that AI excels at:

• Automating repetitive tasks

• Suggesting design variations

• Enhancing image quality

• Streamlining workflow processes

  
  

The Limitations: Creative Disconnects

However, my journey hasn't been without its challenges. The most significant limitation I've encountered is AI's difficulty in fully grasping creative visions. While AI can be an excellent tool for execution, it sometimes struggles to understand the nuanced creative direction I'm aiming for. This disconnect between human creativity and AI interpretation means that achieving the exact desired outcome often requires multiple iterations and significant human guidance.

Looking to the Future

Despite these limitations, I believe AI in graphic design is still in its early stages, with tremendous potential for growth. As these tools continue to evolve, I anticipate:

• More intuitive understanding of creative briefs

• Better integration between different design applications

• Enhanced ability to capture specific artistic styles

• More sophisticated collaboration between human creativity and AI capabilities

Final Thoughts

My experience with AI in graphic design has taught me that while it's not a replacement for human creativity, it's an incredibly powerful tool that can enhance our creative capabilities. I believe the

key lies in understanding both its strengths and limitations, using it as an aid to augment our creative process rather than trying to make it the primary driver of creative decisions.

As I move forward, I'm excited to see how AI will continue to evolve in the creative space. While it may never fully replicate human creative intuition, its ability to handle complex technical tasks frees us to focus more on the creative aspects of design that truly require human touch and insight.