AI IN DESIGN: A THREAT OR A TOOL?
Recently, I took a break from Cinema 4D for a while and wanted to create something just for fun. I opened it up and realized... this idea was going to be way harder to pull off than I thought. So, I figured, why not give AI a try?
To be honest, I was so lazy that I didn’t even write the prompt myself. I just gave ChatGPT the basic idea and asked it to come up with the prompt, editing it whenever I needed a change.
Prompt - Generate Image - Change the prompt - Repeat🔂
Aside from personal explorations, how can we use AI in the pipeline properly? It feels like, for now, using conventional methods—actual concept artists and other creative professionals—is still more reliable. There are a few issues with AI-generated content:
➡️ Tweaking the details to get EXACTLY what you need is challenging.
➡️ AI content tends to be noticeable; the perfect-imperfect look catches the eye and can come across as 'cheap' or generic.
➡️ Copyright issues are unresolved, so big studios are hesitant to use AI-generated content in their projects.
However, there are ways to integrate AI. For small projects with just a few designers, I’d test ideas and create basic concepts using AI. It can be a powerful tool, but be prepared—you might end up showing a client a stunning image that’s impossible to recreate with tight deadlines, which could backfire. Sometimes I feel like I should just stick to showing a pencil sketch😂
You can also use AI to generate textures when you need a specific style or want to quickly create high-quality textures for free. For example, I’ve generated textures for leaves, petals, landscapes, and even clouds for a project that required a cartoonish look since we didn’t have an illustrator for it.
While we’re not necessarily afraid of the present state of AI, there’s a bigger concern that it could eventually replace us. But honestly, I wouldn’t worry too much. At the end of the day, it’s not the tool that matters most, but your ideas and sense of beauty. I feel like the process of creating 3D graphics will evolve, and the tools will definitely improve. That will only bring us closer to expressing creativity, rather than constantly battling with technical limitations.
