Predicting 2024 graphic design trends for small businesses and social media

Picsart
8 Jan 202405:13

TLDRIn 2024, graphic design trends for small businesses and social media are predicted to shift towards how designs are made rather than what is made, with a significant role played by artificial intelligence. Scott Walker, Executive Creative Director at Brandon Creative, foresees an increase in creators becoming art directors due to AI tools that close the gap between vision and execution. This will emphasize authenticity in design, with a focus on diversity, storytelling, and sensitive prompt engineering. Additionally, there will be a paradox of choice leading to a return to tangible, tactile, and analog creations for self-expression, as people seek a respite from digital overload. The year will see a rise in art direction, faster ideation, and a move from artificial to authentic aesthetics, with a desire to create beyond pixels using the extra time provided by AI.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 **AI in Design**: The use of AI in design is expanding, with tools like AI image generators, AI writers, and AI logo generators becoming more prevalent and enabling more creators to become art directors.
  • 🚀 **Vision to Execution**: The gap between vision and execution is narrowing as AI tools allow creators to bring their ideas to life more easily and quickly.
  • 🌐 **Authenticity Focus**: There will be a focus on authenticity in design, with an emphasis on creating real and relatable imagery that connects emotionally with audiences.
  • 📈 **Diverse Storytelling**: Prompt engineering will shift towards more diversity and storytelling, enhancing real images rather than creating entirely artificial ones.
  • 🧩 **Choice Overload**: With the paradox of choice becoming overwhelming, there's a predicted return to tangible, tactile, and analog creations that offer a more focused and nostalgic experience.
  • 💿 **Analog Revival**: Formats like vinyl records and film photography are expected to gain more visibility as people seek a break from the digital world and value the tactile nature of these mediums.
  • 🌱 **Back to Basics**: Going back to basics with self-expression and design, such as pen and paper or needle on a record, will help stand out in a world saturated with digital content.
  • 🔍 **AI as a Tool**: AI should be utilized as a tool to streamline the creative process, allowing for more ideation and faster execution of designs.
  • 🌟 **Art Direction**: There will be a rise in art direction, with more individuals taking on the role and using AI to create personalized and unique designs.
  • 🔄 **From Artificial to Authentic**: As people tire of the artificial aesthetics produced by AI, there will be a desire to create beyond pixels and focus on real, tangible creations.
  • ⏳ **Time Efficiency**: The extra time saved by using AI can be invested in creating real, tactile items, offering a more authentic and personal touch to design.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of design in 2024 according to Scott Walker?

    -The main focus of design in 2024 is not just about what is created, but how it is created, with a significant emphasis on the use of artificial intelligence and its various applications in the creative process.

  • What has the impact of AI been on image creation at Pixar?

    -At Pixar, the use of AI image generators has led to the creation of over 1 billion images in just one year since its launch, showcasing the significant impact of AI on image creation.

  • How are creators expected to evolve with the advancements in AI?

    -With the advancements in AI, creators are expected to take on the role of art directors, narrowing the gap between their vision and execution by using AI tools to refine and personalize their creations.

  • What is the significance of authenticity in design for small businesses and social media in 2024?

    -Authenticity is crucial in design as it influences emotions, perceptions, and connections with the audience. In 2024, there will be a focus on maintaining authenticity by enhancing real images rather than creating fake ones.

  • How can online sellers utilize AI tools to achieve their artistic vision?

    -Online sellers can use AI-powered tools to create different aesthetics for their products by refining prompts to generate images that match their desired seasonal themes, without the need for additional photo shoots or extensive retouching.

  • What is the paradox of choice that Scott Walker refers to?

    -The paradox of choice refers to the overwhelming number of options available to consumers, which can lead to decision fatigue and difficulty in making choices. This paradox is applicable to the plethora of design choices and resources available with advancements in technology.

  • What does Scott Walker predict will be the return in design trends for 2024?

    -Scott Walker predicts a return to tangible, tactile, and analog making in design trends for 2024. This includes a preference for creating items like vinyl records that offer a nostalgic and physical experience, as opposed to purely digital creations.

  • How does the use of AI in design affect the role of human creativity?

    -The use of AI in design augments human creativity by providing tools that allow for faster ideation and execution. It empowers individuals to be art directors, enabling them to bring their visions to life more effectively and efficiently.

  • What is the importance of prompt engineering in the use of AI for design?

    -Prompt engineering is important as it allows creators to guide AI tools to generate specific images or designs that align with their vision. It requires skill to refine prompts and achieve the desired outcome, making it a critical aspect of utilizing AI in the design process.

  • What aesthetic shift is expected to occur in design trends by 2024?

    -By 2024, there is an expected shift from artificial aesthetics created by AI to more authentic and real-looking designs. This is driven by a desire for genuine connections with the audience and a move away from the perceived perfection and fake looks generated by AI.

  • How can businesses and individuals take advantage of AI in design while maintaining a human touch?

    -Businesses and individuals can take advantage of AI by using it to streamline and expedite the design process, then investing the extra time in creating tangible, tactile pieces that offer a human touch and stand out in a digital-heavy landscape.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 The Rise of Creators as Art Directors in 2024

Scott Walker, the executive creative director of Brandon Creative, predicts a significant shift in the design world for 2024. He emphasizes that design is evolving from focusing on the end product to the process of creation, facilitated by the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. AI tools like image generators, writers, logo creators, and style transfer technologies are becoming more prevalent, allowing creators to bring their visions to life with greater ease and precision. With over a billion images created using AI generators at Pixar within a year of launch, it's clear that AI is not just a trend but a permanent fixture in the creative industry. Walker also notes that 70% of creators are now editing and personalizing their AI-generated images, indicating a move towards a more personalized and authentic aesthetic. This trend suggests that more individuals will take on the role of art directors, narrowing the gap between vision and execution. The prediction also includes a focus on authenticity in imagery, as it impacts emotions, perceptions, and connections. There will be a move towards enhancing real images rather than creating entirely artificial ones, which aligns with the growing desire for genuine experiences. Lastly, Walker foresees a paradox of choice leading to a return to tangible, tactile, and analog creations, with formats like vinyl records and film photography becoming more popular as they offer a sense of nostalgia and physical connection.

05:01

✍️ The Nostalgia of Tangible Creations

The second paragraph of the script is a brief continuation of the first, focusing on the tactile nature of creating 'stuff'. It suggests a move towards creating physical items that can be touched and felt, as opposed to purely digital creations. This aligns with the broader theme of seeking authenticity and tangible experiences in a world increasingly dominated by digital and artificial constructs. The mention of 'stuff' is a concise way to encapsulate the idea that there is a desire to create and engage with physical objects, which can evoke nostalgia and provide a break from the digital realm.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the context of the video, AI is central to the discussion as it is enabling the creation and editing of images and designs through various tools like AI image generators, AI writers, and AI logo generators. The script mentions that AI has significantly reduced the gap between vision and execution in graphic design, allowing more creators to become art directors.

💡AI Image Generator

An AI image generator is a tool that uses artificial intelligence to create images based on textual prompts or descriptions provided by the user. It represents a technological leap in graphic design, allowing for the rapid creation of visual content. The video script highlights that over 1 billion images have been created using Pixar's AI generator, indicating its growing importance and prevalence in the design industry.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity in the context of the video refers to the genuineness and truthfulness of the imagery and content presented. It is emphasized that despite the rise of AI and digital creation tools, maintaining authenticity in design is crucial. Authentic visuals have a stronger emotional impact and connection with the audience. The video suggests that there will be a shift towards more authentic aesthetics and storytelling in 2024.

💡Vision and Execution

Vision refers to the creative idea or concept that a designer aims to bring to life, while execution is the process of actually creating that idea. The video discusses how AI tools are narrowing the gap between vision and execution, empowering creators to more easily realize their ideas. This is exemplified by online sellers who can now use AI to create seasonal aesthetics for their products without the need for extensive photography sessions or budgets.

💡Art Director

An art director is a professional who oversees the visual style and images in various forms of media, including film, television, and print. In the video, it is predicted that more creators will take on the role of art directors due to the capabilities of AI. Creators can now refine prompts and use AI tools to generate images that align with their vision, without needing to hire a separate art director or possess extensive design skills.

💡Prompt Engineering

Prompt engineering is the process of carefully crafting the instructions or 'prompts' given to AI tools to generate specific types of images or content. The video suggests that there will be a focus on improving prompt engineering to create more diverse, authentic, and sensitive imagery. This involves enhancing real images rather than creating entirely artificial ones, which can sometimes lack the depth and interest that comes with imperfection.

💡Imperfection

Imperfection refers to the irregularities or flaws that can occur in designs or images, which can add character and interest. The video argues that while perfection can be boring, imperfection can lead to curiosity and a stronger connection with the audience. This concept is linked to the move towards authenticity in design, suggesting that embracing imperfection can result in more engaging and relatable content.

💡Analog Formats

Analog formats refer to traditional, non-digital methods of creating and experiencing media, such as vinyl records, film photography, and physical books. The video predicts a return to these tangible and tactile forms of media as a way to stand out and provide a break from the digital overload. This trend is driven by a desire for nostalgia and a more personal connection with the content being consumed.

💡Tangible Tactile and Analog Making

This phrase encapsulates the idea of creating physical, touchable objects as opposed to purely digital creations. The video suggests that there will be a trend towards making things that can be felt and experienced directly, such as vinyl records or handcrafted items. This is seen as a way to provide a more authentic and personal experience, contrasting with the often impersonal nature of digital media.

💡Digital Rest Bite

A 'digital rest bite' refers to taking a break from digital media and technology. The video predicts that there will be a desire for such breaks in 2024, as people seek more authentic and tangible forms of self-expression and entertainment. This is linked to the rise in analog formats and the move towards authenticity in design, as individuals look for ways to disconnect from the constant stream of digital content.

💡Paradox of Choice

The paradox of choice is a phenomenon where having too many options can lead to decision paralysis or dissatisfaction, even when the options are positive. The video uses the example of Blockbuster video to illustrate how an overabundance of choices can be overwhelming. This concept is tied to the prediction that there will be a move towards more focused and curated experiences in design and media consumption.

Highlights

The gap between vision and execution in graphic design is shrinking due to advancements in AI technology.

AI tools like image generators, writers, logo creators, and style transfer are becoming more prevalent and are here to stay.

Over 1 billion images have been created using AI generators at Pixar within the last year.

70% of creators are editing their AI-generated images, incorporating personal touches like photography and illustrations.

Scott Walker predicts that more creators will take on the role of art directors with the help of AI.

Online sellers can now easily change the aesthetic of their product photography with AI, without additional photo shoots.

Authenticity in design will be a focus in 2024, with an emphasis on diversity, storytelling, and sensitive prompt engineering.

There will be a shift from creating fake worlds to enhancing real images, valuing authenticity over artificial aesthetics.

Imperfection in design can add interest and curiosity, moving away from the concept of perfection being ideal.

The paradox of choice is leading to a return to tangible, tactile, and analog creations.

Vinyl records are an example of analog formats making a comeback due to their nostalgic value.

Analog self-expression methods like film photography are expected to become more visible and stand out in a digital world.

The prediction for 2024 includes a rise in art direction, faster execution, and a move towards authenticity in aesthetics.

As we become tired of the fake looks from AI, there will be a desire to create beyond pixels, focusing on real and tactile creations.

AI is expected to be leveraged to create additional time for designers to focus on creating real, tangible pieces.