Will the Creativity of Humans Prevail or Will AI Take Over?
The buzz about AI taking over the design industry has been making rounds since ChatGPT, Midjourney, and DallE hit the scene. Are we expecting machines to replace human designers anytime soon?
We had a debate about this very topic at the NOK pantry, where our colleagues from different departments had some pretty strong opinions. Some industrial designers were all for AI tools, seeing them as a way to streamline their workflow. Meanwhile, graphic designers were worried that their jobs might be on the line.
The short answer is no, designers will not be replaced (at least for the next 4 years). In this article, we explore the impact of AI tools on the design industry, the potential benefits, as well as the drawbacks that could threaten the livelihoods of designers. We examine the importance of mastering AI tools, improving communication skills, and positioning oneself strategically to remain competitive. Ultimately, designers must adapt to the changing landscape of the industry to survive and thrive.
The Unstoppable Wave That’s Here to Stay
AI tools have revolutionized the way we live and work, boosting productivity and efficiency like never before. Just take ChatGPT, for example — professors in undergraduate art programs are using it to generate project briefs for students, while the students themselves are using it to synthesize those briefs and come up with amazing ideas.
But here’s the real kicker: with the next generation of designers getting early exposure to AI tools, what does the future of design look like? Are mature designers at risk of becoming obsolete? It’s a scary thought, but whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay.
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In order to remain competitive in the fast-paced design industry, it is imperative that we continually identify our strengths and seek ways to improve productivity. Embracing AI tools is one effective approach to stay ahead of the curve.
As exemplified by?The Bureau of Creative Intelligence (TBCI), ChatGPT is a powerful tool that can enhance design thinking workflow and reduce project costs. TBCI has leveraged ChatGPT to develop user-centric solutions by gathering and analyzing data, generating ideas, and validating prototypes. At NOK, we have similarly adopted AI tools like Midjourney to contribute to our early ideation process, resulting in impressive outcomes that have garnered positive feedback from our clients.
“These ideas generated by AI provided us with fresh perspectives that were otherwise, completely unexplored” — Feedback from our Client
It’s important to recognize that AI is not autonomous and its role is not to replace the creative process of designers or the designers themselves. Rather, AI tools are meant to inspire and assist designers by providing them with fresh ideas and innovative solutions to consider. However, it’s ultimately up to the designers to bring these ideas to fruition. To achieve this, designers must invest time and effort into learning how to use AI tools effectively, as mastery of their functions is a skill in itself.
By embracing new technologies and being adaptable, designers can stay ahead of the curve and work smarter, not harder. As demonstrated by TBCI’s success, mastering powerful AI tools can act as a springboard for major advancements in design.
Thinkers vs Doers
The conclusion of our discussion highlights the existence of two archetypes of designers: Doers and Thinkers. Doers possess strong technical skills in executing designs, such as illustrating, rendering, and CAD modelling. On the other hand, Thinkers possess a flair for communication, including planning, curating, and storytelling.
It is worth noting that disruptions in the industry can easily threaten Doers, making it necessary for them to adopt the skills of a Thinker to survive. While this may seem harsh, it is a reality that cannot be ignored.
To illustrate this point, we can look to the world of graffiti art. Banksy’s work illustrates the importance of effective communication in design. While graffiti is often dismissed as vandalism, Banksy’s ability to convey a witty and resonant message through his work has earned him recognition as an artist.
It takes more than a simple word on the wall to create meaningful and impactful art — he had a thoughtful and well-crafted message, combined with strong performance art, to truly connect with his audience.
This is the hallmark of a Thinker, and Banksy’s success is a testament to the value of this approach. Designers must be adept communicators in order to resonate with their audiences.
“The advent of AI tools like Midjourney and DallE is viewed as a significant threat to Doers. These tools can produce high-quality images quickly and efficiently, downplaying the experience and skills of designers and making their position appear irrelevant. It is essential to recognize that AI is an employee that works 24/7 and consistently produces excellent results without the need for food, sleep or wages.” — Adriane Lee, Business Development Director at NOK
We cannot compete with AI on its terms and instead must focus on our strengths as designers. It is essential to improve our communication skills, as the value of a work is significantly enhanced when it is presented in the proper context. Designers must strive to become like Banksy, who was able to understand his audience, select the appropriate image, and imbue it with life. By mastering the art of synthesizing information, planning, curating, and storytelling, we can develop a skill set that will enable us to survive in the face of any challenge.
Strategic Positioning for Designers in a Shifting Industry
In this era of constant transformation, it is an inescapable reality that we must continually upskill and adapt. The ever-evolving nature of jobs and clients guarantees that there will always be new demands in the industry, and it can be difficult to keep pace with them. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for designers to recognize their strengths and position themselves strategically to remain competitive.
While AI is a current threat to the industry, it’s important to remember that before its rise, Fiverr was a significant disruptor in the design industry. With a vast pool of skilled freelancers from all corners of the globe offering their services at remarkably low rates and fast turnaround times, designers were forced to find new ways to distinguish themselves in the market. This does not necessarily entail conforming and lowering their rates, but rather requires designers to strategically brand themselves and select their clients with care.
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After extensive debate, the designers at NOK all agreed on one thing —?AI will not be replacing us.?Instead, we should view it as a powerful productivity tool that can take our skills to new heights and make our future very exciting.
“In the future, would we train our own NOK AI Designer? This would allow the AI to imprint everything in NOK’s language, branding, and style with whatever you feed it. It’s a game-changing idea, but what will it mean for our job scope as designers?” — Sim Hao Jie, Design Manager at NOK
As we move forward, will anything with the label?“Created by humans”?hold more value than something created entirely by AI? Or will they be seen as parallel in quality and creativity? It’s a fascinating question to ponder and one that will undoubtedly shape the future of our industry.
NextOfKin Creatives is a strategic design studio comprising a talented family of cross-disciplinary creative thinkers. Our passion lies in conceptualizing innovative designs and crafting unique narratives through our design research and strategy. We are driven to push boundaries and uncover fresh perspectives.
We’d love to partner with you on future casting and design research to reimagine how we can shape experiences together! Get in touch with us at?[email protected]??? Thank you again for reading, and we hope to see you soon in our next article.
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Design strategist at nextofkin creatives | Fast Company World Changing Ideas
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