A Warning About AI Tools for New Graphic Designers

A Warning About AI Tools for New Graphic Designers

When I went to Cal Arts to study character animation, many students were eager to dive into 3D animation right away. However, our teachers insisted that we first learn 2D animation. They wanted us to understand the basics, such as how many pictures made up a single second of animation and what made cartoon movements emulate real life. This included hours of life drawing with pencil and paper and creating our own hand-drawn 90-second animation films before moving on to 3D animation. The teachers knew that jumping straight into 3D animation without understanding these fundamentals could hinder our comprehension of animation principles, resulting in lower-quality work.

Similarly, in the medical field, robots are now performing surgeries. However, this doesn't mean surgeons have become obsolete. These robots serve as invaluable tools for executing complex or previously unattainable procedures. Nevertheless, a skilled human must always be present to guide the robot and intervene if something goes wrong.

In photography, advancements in smartphone cameras and editing apps make it easy for anyone to capture and edit photos. However, understanding the fundamentals of composition, lighting, exposure, and storytelling allows professional photographers to go beyond simple snapshots and create compelling images. Without these skills, relying solely on smartphone pictures or automatic settings limits one's ability to capture unique perspectives and emotions.

New graphic designers shouldn't rely on AI to create their work. Don't use AI tools to choose your color palettes; instead, learn about color harmony. Don't let AI cut out your images for you; learn the tools of Photoshop. I've said this many times before: computer programs do not make a good designer. It starts with the creatives themselves, learning about typography, color, composition, and layout.

Additionally, part of what makes each graphic designer unique is their own style and creative vision. Exploring different styles, such as minimalistic, vintage, or bold, will help shape your way of visually communicating. AI, which often relies on specific databases, can limit your ability to create something truly unique.

Effective collaboration and communication skills are crucial for understanding client requirements, incorporating feedback, and delivering successful designs. Learning the basics of design allows you to communicate your ideas effectively, understand client needs, and collaborate with others—abilities that may be more challenging for AI tools.

While AI can be a valuable addition to a designer's toolkit, it should be seen as a complement rather than a replacement for learning the fundamentals. Combining a well-trained and seasoned graphic designer with AI tools can enhance efficiency, explore new possibilities, and create impressive designs.

Many designers fear that AI will take over everything, but here's a story to consider: A big software company in my niche offers AI-generated designs to e-commerce companies for creating infographics. You'd think this would scare me and other designers specializing in this niche. However, a client recently hired my branding agency to redo her entire e-commerce listings and paid premium prices for our services. She did this because she didn't trust AI's lack of branding perspective and valued my brain's ability to create professional visual communication.

There was a marketing guru bragging about how Mid Journey could create package designs. What he didn't realize is that you can't print from a rasterized image and that Mid Journey doesn't write text. You still need a graphic designer to create labels, write product descriptions, and handle all the complex marketing aspects. So, relying solely on Mid Journey is not practical.

Consider an aspiring chef who decides only to use automated cooking appliances and pre-packaged ingredients without learning the basics of culinary arts. They would miss out on understanding core techniques, flavors, and the artistry involved in creating unique and delicious dishes. Without a foundation in culinary skills, they would struggle to innovate, troubleshoot, and adapt recipes to suit different tastes.

In conclusion, while AI can be a great tool to speed up your workflow, if you are just beginning to learn graphic design, I highly advise against using it. Focus on mastering the fundamentals first. If you're looking to learn graphic design, check out this free guide with six exercises to learn the fundamentals of composition and layout, which you can find in the description link below. Thanks for reading, and please, never stop creating.

Keywords

• AI Tools
• Graphic Design
• Fundamentals
• Creative Vision
• Problem-Solving
• Communication Skills
• Typography
• Color Harmony
• Collaboration
• Efficiency

FAQ

Q1: Why shouldn't new graphic designers use AI tools from the start? A1: New designers need to learn the fundamentals first—typography, color theory, composition, and other basics—to develop their unique creative vision and problem-solving skills. Relying solely on AI can hinder this learning process.

Q2: Can AI completely replace human graphic designers? A2: No, AI can be a valuable tool but cannot replace the skills, creativity, and unique perspective of a trained human graphic designer.

Q3: How can AI be utilized effectively by seasoned graphic designers? A3: Seasoned designers can use AI to enhance their efficiency and explore new possibilities, but only after they have a strong grasp of the essentials of design.

Q4: What are the risks of relying too much on AI in design? A4: Over-reliance on AI can limit a designer's ability to create unique work and problem-solve effectively, as AI is often based on specific databases and lacks creative and critical thinking.

Q5: Are there any legal issues with using AI tools like Mid Journey? A5: Yes, Mid Journey and similar AI tools are currently facing legal suits, which could pose risks for those relying on them for professional work.