Category: ISearch

Authors: Robyn Cook & Kwon Sekyeong

This article written by Dr. Robyn Cook and Kwon Sekyeong presents ideas on how machine learning will impact the graphic design industry. It brings up various implications that could arise from using AI in design. Through a project led by Sekyeong herself, she aims to explore both the present and future possibilities of these technologies. The paper begins with the topic of Graphic Design and Automation. Cook and Sekyeong offer a short overview of the history of relationships between human-computer interaction and ‘graphical user interfaces.’ They then go on to discuss the more recent developments in regards to machine learning and computer aided design software. One example they provide states,

“And, looking ahead, Autodesk is presently developing Project DreamCatcher – a generative design system that will be capable of producing thousands of design options in a matter of seconds…”

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One of the differentiating factors of this source is Sekyeong’s project called Michael Barnes. This gives a real-life perspective on how AI could change the course of the graphic design industry. Michael Barnes is a portfolio site that seems ordinary, but all the pieces of work on there were computer generated using data from other designs and places. After analysis of the project and discussing how it can show AI in application, Cook and Sekyeong emphasize that their intention is to spark conversation in hopes of getting more designers and educators to recognize this new world we live in.

Robyn Cook has a national diploma in graphic design from Wits Technikon, a BA in Fine Arts and a MA from Wits University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Visual Arts from the University of Pretoria. Aside from his academic achievements, he has several honors and awards from the National Research Foundation in South Africa. Cook is interested in research going deep into topics such as participatory, critical design, and ethics in design. He currently works at Falmouth University and leads the MA Communication Design program.  

Kwon Sekyeong is from London, UK and currently a product designer at Acre. She received two Bachelor degrees in Visual Communication Design and Media Information Communication from Handong Global University. In addition, she has a MA in Communication Design from Falmouth University. Sekyeong has had several design experiences at various companies like PwC and Comuzi as a UI/UX designer, Design Researcher, and a Visual Designer. 

Cook, Robyn, and Kwon Sekyeong. DeSForM19 Proceedings, 2019, pp. 262–266, Speculating on the Future of Graphic Design in the Age of Intelligent Machines. 

Author: Ezgi Karaata

This source was published in the Online Journal of Art and Design in October 2018. Ezgi Karaata’s paper dives into the ongoing debate on whether graphic design systems and software can be as creative as a graphic designer. She also touches on the overall impact of artificial intelligence on businesses. The paper is split into four sections including: 1) Introduction; 2) The Relationship of AI, Creativity and Graphic Design; 3) Examples of Graphic Design Programs Working with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Method and; 4) Discussion and Conclusion. Within the introduction, Karaata outlines definitions for intelligence and artificial intelligence and other necessary terms. She then goes on to broadly talk about how the debate of machines thinking like humans is not new (providing examples). However, she emphasizes that in the context of graphic design the discussion is necessary because AI gives us the ability to create designs without designers. In the second section, Karaata reports on several tests that have been conducted revolving around how computers are taught creativity. She uses these tests to describe the concept of ‘computational creativity.’ The entire third section of the paper is a detailed brief of design programs (Logojoy, Adobe Sensei, Designscape, Firedrop) that have integrated AI. Karaata wraps up her article by stating that graphic design training may have to adapt depending on how AI progresses in the future, but that overall AI will give us more time to do our work. 

Ezgi Karaata has a MFA in Design and Visual Communications from Istanbul Bilgi University and a BFA in Graphic Design from Marmara University. She also has several years of experience working in industry. She was a graphic designer for Yordam, then an art director at Sihirli Fasulye, Margin, and Anabilim Eğitim Kurumları. Currently, Karaata is an assistant professor at Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey. Her work ranges from illustration, logo design, and typography but also has experience with film and cinema. 

Karaata, Ezgi. vol. 6, Online Journal of Art and Design, 2018, pp. 183–197, Usage of Artificial Intelligence in Today’s Graphic Design, www.researchgate.net/publication/331431169_Usage_of_Artificial_Intelligence_in_Today%27s_Graphic_Design. 

Author: Miklos Philips

This short article was published on Toptal’s blog, a company that connects businesses to designers, developers, product managers, and finance experts. Philips begins by emphasizing that the concept of artificial intelligence is still relatively new to design and that we are still navigating how it will impact design as a whole. He outlines that,

“With AI, new relationships will need to be established between customer and products…Designers will bring the necessary empathetic context for innovation, which is how a business will succeed with AI.”

One hotly debated topic revolving around artificial intelligence and design is that the robots will replace designers. Philips stresses that this will not happen. In the future, he sees AI focusing on optimization and speed which in fact, could make designers processes more efficient. This includes both the systems that designers use and the data collected from the intelligence. Following this, he also discusses how artificial intelligence is already integrated and impacting the design work done today. He gives examples of companies like AirBnb who are using sketches to produce computer generated prototypes. Similarly, Netflix who is testing the concept of banners in various languages using personalized artwork or Nutella who is playing around with patterns and packaging designs. Overall, the article aims to make the point that designers should embrace the technology because it is going to make us smarter and more efficient. 

Miklos Philips is from the United Kingdom and has over 18 year of experience in user experience and product design. He has worked at a range of companies in the industry including: Autodesk Location Services, Guitar Center, Sunpower, Rubicon Project, SeeFlight, Pubmatic, and DoubleVerify. He currently works at Toptal as a Principal User Experience Designer working on various contracting UX projects for the company. 

Philips, Miklos. “The Present and Future of AI in Design.” Toptal Design Blog, Toptal, 10 July 2018, www.toptal.com/designers/product-design/infographic-ai-in-design.

Authors: Emilie Edberg and Lea Beck

The Adoption of AI in Digital Design is a senior thesis that examines the impact artificial intelligence is having on the digital design industry. The designers chose to conduct a qualitative study asking designers a series of questions regarding their experience with AI. Some questions included:

“Are you aware of any AI technologies in your profession/daily tasks? or “Has AI changed the way you work? The creative process/the way you approach a project? Has it opened up for new possibilities? Or do the traditional tasks remain but are performed with AI as an aid?”

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Following the data collection processes, Beck and Edberg also outline their data analysis. They factor in the credibility of the designer, the limitations of the study, any field notes that were taken, and patterns noticed across various interviews. Then their conclusions are categorized into six sections: 1) Awareness and knowledge of AI; 2) Effects of AI on work processes; 3) Feelings towards AI; 4) External factors; 5) Expectations of AI and; 6) AI within Creative Work. Their findings show that AI does in fact have an impact on design work but there is a general lack of knowledge among designers on how AI is integrated into software and systems. 

This source contains a final thesis presented by design students from Jönköping University in Sweden. Their work was supervised by Einav Peretz Andersson who is a Programme Manager Al Engineering and a faculty member at their School of Engineering. Emelie Edberg has a Bachelor in Informatics, New Media Design and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics. She participated in an exchange semester in 2019 at the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia. More recently in 2020, she had an internship with a design and content agency called Studio Bon. Lea Beck also received a Bachelor in Informatics, New Media Design with a focus on graphic design and web development. Her internship took place at a media design agency called BeckDesign in Bochum, Germany where she focused on logo development, corporate design, and web design layout.  

Beck, Lea, and Emelie Edberg. “Adoption of AI in Digital Design.” Jönköping University , 2020, pp. 1–24.