Can AI help us design?

AI is here. For better or worse. But how will it affect the design industry? Beyond the gimmicks can we harness AI to save time and increase creativity? 

As AI has swept the internet it's been curious to consider what the practical applications might be. For writing copy, perhaps, the benefits are obvious; a quick tightening up of punctuation, a change of emphasis or a tweak of tone to match a particular audience. For Imagery, the applications are a little harder to see.

Beyond the gimmicks of expanding album artwork (which is admittedly awesome) and animals in costumes - how can we harness the power of AI on a day-to-day design level? 

Practical Examples

Rather than build 3D scene, texture and render, let AI create something which captures the essence of an idea? Sure it might not be perfect - but isn't that why we do sketch visuals? We just need a 'flavour' of the intended design. 

It's as important to show a client what they don't want as what they do. Making this a quick process allows more time to finesse the design proposal. 

Adobe Photoshop's prompt-based "generative fill" could be another powerful tool. Allowing AI to 'best-guess' content outside of a document's canvas, for example, could be hugely useful when producing manifestations for awkward dimensions. 

Many worry that the growing exposure of AI will take away from the creative process - I'd argue that it will save time in the practical application of an idea. 

In my view, initiatives like 'generative fill' are the next creative solution. After all, 'smart objects' - once cutting edge - are now part of everyday Photoshopping. 

It's my view that the introduction of more sophisticated AI will not replace designers - it will liberate them to free up time for the creative process.