Love robots + UI: The role of AI in the design industry
The idea of creating a machine that can mimic human intelligence is a mainstay in the field of technology. We have already made the jump from “AI” being a movie from the early 2000s to something we take for granted as it sets our alarms for us on our iPhones.
However, contrary to what we may believe, AI is still in a nascent space, and there are still some ways to go with regards to robots completely taking over the design industry.
While humans spend a lot of time thinking out design solutions through a more hybrid creative/logical thought process, AI is a hyper-logical system of decisions that lead to largely predictable goals.
That being said, AI presents a set of possibilities for designers (still human) in making more informed, if not sophisticated decisions.
AI makes life easier for the designers
- AI helps designers by bringing them closer to the latest design trends while allowing them to focus on the bigger picture. AI does most of the heavy-lifting, freeing up large space in the designers’ heads, giving them more room for creativity.
- Instead of a person spending hours combing through a mountain of data trying to come up with ways to improve on it, AI can understand those problems and nudge designers in the right direction.
- The power of AI lies in the speed and optimization at which it can analyze vast amounts of data and suggest design adjustments which a designer can then cherry-pick.
- And since AI doesn’t get tired or need coffee breaks, designers don’t need to spend valuable time babysitting their program looking over its shoulder for mistakes.
- All in all, having AI tools at hand boosts engagement, leads to more conversions, and provides an overall meaningful experience.
What are some of the most interesting AI-powered design tools to help designers?
1. Khroma:
Designers are always looking for a tool that simplifies the process of creating new colour palettes. Choosing the right colour palette can be tricky as it holds a lot of weight on the brand.
Khroma is essentially an infinite scroll of colours combinations. It uses AI to learn which colours you like and creates limitless palettes to discover and use in your designs. Choosing a set of colours will train a neural network-powered algorithm to generate colours one likes.
It’s free to use and can get you the perfect colour scheme in under a minute. But of course, nothing beats learning the colour theory.
2. Fontjoy:
Generating new font pairings is just a click away.
The goal of font pairing is to select fonts that share an overarching theme yet have a pleasing contrast.
Fontjoy uses deep learning to generate different font combinations. Picking two fonts that provide a cohesive appearance is a classic design problem. Read all about how Fontjoy generates scientifically accurate font matchings.
3. Uizard:
Uizard can scan your design sketches and transform them into editable digital designs automatically.
Uizard uses computer vision and machine learning to transform design scribbles into digital screens and components.
If you prefer to first sketch ideas with pen and paper, this is your tool.
4. Copy.ai:
Copy.ai lets you create microcopy, product descriptions, digital ad copy, blog content, sales copy, hero text and more. All that needs to be done is filling in the brand/product name and its short description, and Copy.ai will do the rest.
With these automated creativity tools, you can generate marketing copy in seconds.
Here’s a fun website that judges how bad your Spotify music is, and roasts you for it (My music was described as “manic-pixie-dream-girl bad”).
How have companies benefited from AI?
1. Content Personalization at Netflix:
Netflix is the first name that one is reminded of when it comes to its content recommendation and personalized user experience.
It uses artificial intelligence to make the experience of choosing a movie a lot easier. Netflix uses AI to analyze the content of each movie and TV show and predicts what you might like to watch based on your past choices.
AI also helps eliminate the tedious work of creating the same artworks in different local languages. Netflix uses AI for artwork personalization and localization of movie/TV show thumbnails.
The same works for Spotify, it makes a whole playlist based on your likings.
2. Mass creation of unique designs at Nutella:
In 2017, Nutella sold a staggering 7 million bottles in just one month.
It’s solely owed to the algorithm behind it.
Nutella came up with the idea of revamping the label with colourful, and fun-looking design patterns. The algorithm pulled from a database of tons of patterns and colours to create seven million unique versions of Nutella’s graphic identity and splashed it across the jars.
They didn’t have to hire an army of designers putting in hours of work; the algorithm took over a designer’s traditional role to generate millions of unique packaging designs for Nutella.
3. In-app message intent at Airbnb:
Airbnb wants to create a place where travelling is smooth for everyone, and having good communication between the hosts and guests is a must. They use Airbnb messaging platform for the same, regarding various queries like payment, nearby places, bookings, cancellations, trip planning, etc. But there can be a time delay in the host’s replies due to time zone differences or busy schedules, which can lead to the guests’ anxiety.
Hence, Airbnb uses recent conversational AI technologies to better understand the guests’ message intent, and automatically answer to them. This shortens the response time and also reduces the burden on the hosts.
Trying to answer the ultimate question
When it comes to the subject of artificial intelligence and design, there are two opposing schools of thought as to how AI could impact human designers soon.
For some, AI is the future of the design industry that will allow human designers to design with better resources. While for others, AI is a threat that it is going to replace human designers entirely.
Contrary to popular belief, AI isn’t a method that can completely replace an individual designer, yet it can help individuals reach higher goals and make designing more manageable and cost-efficient.
Moreover, empathy is one of the most important elements in design. It allows designers to connect with users and understand their pain points, goals. It’s how designers step into the user’s shoes to build usable products. AI (currently) cannot surpass a designer because It can’t empathise the way humans can.
AI can only serve to make design easier, as long as a human is involved.
Closing Thoughts
The beauty of design lies in its diversity and to some strange and abstract degree, its imperfections. The best design doesn’t fit a formula; it harnesses the creativity of human beings. AI can be a potent ally for designers in this regard.
As the design industry continues to grow and evolve, new technologies will influence the way we create, design, and market our products. We’re excited to see how AI will continue to impact the design field in the future.
The Canvs Editorial team comprises of: Editorial Writer and Researcher- Paridhi Agrawal and Anjali Baliga, the Editor’s Desk- Aalhad Joshi and Debprotim Roy, and Content Operations- Abin Rajan
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