Emerging Roles for Graphic Designers in the AI Era

The increasing capability of artificial intelligence algorithms is transforming the graphic design field. As AI handles more basic design and production tasks automatically, the role of human graphic designers is evolving from creator to something more akin to producer and director. Proactively up-skilling to complement the strengths of AI will allow designers to thrive within this new world. By using generative AI tools to produce more ideas and initial work and then using their experience to curate, refine and enhance the most promising output, they can cherry pick those creations that most align with their client brand and goals. Designers will develop a meticulous eye as they audit their AI creations, providing corrections and tweaks where needed and polishing and perfecting the most viable ones. This new model promises to become a great example of a perfect balance between machine efficiency and human artistry.

Trainers and Teachers of AI Systems

To maximise the performance and reliability of AI graphic design tools, designers will provide ongoing training by validating or correcting machine output. By labelling AI designs as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ within training data and continually auditing and coaching AI creations, designers provide a feedback loop that allows them to gradually shape an AI’s logic and improve its skills over time. Ultimately this enables them to customise tools to meet their specific needs by training the AI in their unique styles and quality standards.

Workflow Integration Specialists

To fully realise AI’s potential, designers will need the technical skills to seamlessly integrate these tools into real project workflows. This means mastering AI software APIs, data structuring, automation techniques and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Designers who can unite their creative skills with technical implementation will be invaluable in transitioning studios to AI-augmented ways of working. Their hybrid skills make AI accessible and indispensable by connecting the technology directly into the design process.

Subject Matter Experts

The most effective AI graphic tools require strong human understanding of design fundamentals to train properly. Expert designers will contribute their specialised knowledge so that AI can learn nuances such as colour theory, typography, composition, aesthetics and visual storytelling. This subject matter expertise supplies AI with technical and stylistic knowledge that quantifiable data alone cannot provide. Designers will also need to impart their concept of best practice so that their AI can embody good graphic design principles at a core level.

Director skills

While AI can handle execution, designers must provide the high-level creative vision and strategy needed to meet briefs. Clear creative guidelines give AI constraints to work within so that its output aligns with communication goals. For example, designers might define an overarching visual theme, target audience, brand personality and other strategic criteria. Within these human-defined creative guard rails, the AI can independently explore varied visual manifestations.

In summary, designers who embrace training and directing AI tools - rather than resisting progress - will step into new empowering roles perfectly matched to their capabilities. In this way they will make the unstoppable forward thrust of AI work for them, rather than be replaced by technology.