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 shifting towards a focus on how we create rather than what we create. The advent of AI tools like image generators, writers, and logo creators has democratized the art direction process, allowing more creators to bring their visions to life with less technical skill required. Scott Walker, executive creative director at Brandon Creative, predicts that the gap between vision and execution will continue to shrink, emphasizing authenticity in design. As a result, there will be a move towards more diverse, real, and imperfect imagery that connects emotionally with audiences. Additionally, with the paradox of choice overwhelming consumers, there is a predicted return to tangible, tactile, and analog creations, such as vinyl records and film photography, which offer a nostalgic and personal touch. This shift signifies a desire for authenticity and a break from the digital overload, encouraging designers to use AI to streamline their process and create more meaningful, tactile experiences.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 The focus in design is shifting from what is made to how it's made, with AI tools like image generators and style transfer becoming more prevalent.
  • 🚀 AI is enabling more creators to become art directors by narrowing the gap between vision and execution, as seen with over 1 billion images created using Pixart's AI generator.
  • 🛠️ Creators are now editing and enhancing AI-generated images, adding their own photography and illustrations to make their work unique.
  • 🌟 In 2024, there will be an increased emphasis on authenticity in design, with a move towards more diverse, story-driven, and sensitive prompt engineering.
  • 🧩 There's a paradox of choice due to the overwhelming number of options available, leading to a predicted return to tangible, tactile, and analog creations for a more personal and nostalgic touch.
  • 📀 Analog formats like vinyl records and film photography will gain more visibility as people seek a respite from the digital world.
  • 🌱 There's a predicted rise in art direction, with more ideation and faster execution, as creators leverage AI to streamline their process.
  • 🔍 There will be a move from artificial aesthetics to more authentic looks, as there is a growing fatigue with the 'fake' appearance of AI-generated content.
  • ✍️ The use of AI will free up time for creators to focus on creating real, tactile creations, going beyond pixels to add value and depth to their work.
  • 🤔 The importance of prompt refinement in AI tools will grow, as slight changes can significantly alter the outcome, allowing for more precise control over the final product.
  • 🌞 Adding seasonal elements to designs, like summer vibes or winter aesthetics, will be a key strategy for online sellers and brands to keep their visuals fresh and engaging.

Q & A

  • What is the main theme discussed by Scott Walker in the transcript?

    -The main theme discussed by Scott Walker is the evolution of graphic design trends in 2024, focusing on how advancements in artificial intelligence are enabling creators to become art directors, the importance of authenticity in design, and the shift towards tangible, tactile, and analog creations.

  • What does Scott Walker predict for the role of creators in 2024?

    -Scott Walker predicts that creators will increasingly take on the role of art directors, as the gap between vision and execution becomes smaller due to AI-powered tools.

  • How has the use of AI in design impacted the creative process according to the transcript?

    -According to the transcript, AI has significantly impacted the creative process by providing tools such as AI image generators, AI writers, and AI logo generators, which allow creators to bring their visions to life more easily and efficiently.

  • What is the significance of the statistic that '70% of creators are editing their images and creations beyond the AI'?

    -The statistic signifies that while AI is a powerful tool for initial creation, there is still a significant role for human creativity in refining and personalizing these creations to make them unique and tailored to specific visions.

  • Why is authenticity emphasized as important in the context of graphic design trends for 2024?

    -Authenticity is emphasized because imagery influences emotions, perceptions, and connections with the audience. As such, maintaining a real and relatable aesthetic is crucial for creating a genuine connection with the audience, despite the rise of AI-generated content.

  • What does Scott Walker suggest about the future of prompt engineering in AI?

    -Scott Walker suggests that prompt engineering will shift to focus more on diversity, storytelling, and sensitive content creation, with an emphasis on enhancing real images rather than creating entirely fake worlds.

  • What paradox is mentioned in relation to the abundance of choice in the modern world?

    -The paradox mentioned is that while having more choices might seem beneficial, it can actually lead to decision fatigue and confusion, making it difficult for individuals to make selections or know where to start.

  • What trend does Scott Walker predict for the return to tangible, tactile, and analog creations?

    -Scott Walker predicts a rise in the desire for tangible, tactile, and analog creations as a counterbalance to the digital world. This includes a resurgence in formats like vinyl records and film photography, which offer a more direct and nostalgic form of engagement.

  • How does the use of AI in design enable faster execution of ideas?

    -The use of AI in design enables faster execution of ideas by automating the initial creative process, allowing creators to quickly generate and iterate on designs, and then refine them to fit their specific needs.

  • What advice does Scott Walker give to those looking to stand out in the world of design in 2024?

    -Scott Walker advises designers to take advantage of AI to streamline their work and then use the extra time to create real, tactile creations that offer a digital detox, thus standing out in a world where AI-generated content is becoming more prevalent.

  • What does the transcript suggest about the future of self-expression in design?

    -The transcript suggests that self-expression in design will increasingly involve a blend of digital and analog methods, with a focus on creating pieces that have a physical presence and evoke nostalgia, such as hand-drawn illustrations or photographs.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 The Evolution of Design and AI in 2024

Scott Walker, the executive creative director of Brandon Creative, introduces the topic of design evolution in 2024. He emphasizes that design is no longer solely about creation but also about the process. Over the past year, the availability of AI tools has exploded, enabling over a billion images to be generated using Pixart's AI generator. Walker predicts that more creators will become art directors as the gap between vision and execution shrinks. He also notes that creators are now editing their AI-generated images, adding personal touches like retouching, layering, and incorporating their own photography. This shift towards authenticity in design will be significant in 2024, with a focus on diversity, storytelling, and sensitive prompt engineering to enhance real images rather than creating fake ones. Walker also predicts a paradox of choice leading to a return to tangible, tactile, and analog creations, with a rise in self-expression through formats like vinyl records and film photography.

05:01

✍️ The Return to Tangible Creations

The second paragraph briefly continues the discussion on the shift towards tangible and tactile creations. It suggests that in response to the overwhelming digital choices, there will be a move towards creating items that offer a physical experience. This includes a resurgence in formats like vinyl records, which have a nostalgic value and a tactile aspect that digital formats lack. The paragraph implies that those who embrace these analog formats will stand out in a world saturated with digital content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Graphic Design

Graphic design is the process of visual communication and problem-solving using one or more of typography, photography, and illustration. It is a critical component in creating visual content for brands, social media, and various marketing materials. In the video, graphic design is discussed in the context of evolving trends in 2024, particularly for small businesses and social media platforms.

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. In the script, AI is highlighted as a significant resource in the design industry, with tools like AI image generators, AI writers, and AI logo generators transforming how creators envision and execute their designs, making the gap between vision and execution smaller.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity in the context of the video refers to the genuineness and realness of imagery and design. It is emphasized as increasingly important in 2024 as audiences connect more with real and relatable content rather than overly polished or artificial visuals. Authenticity is linked to the emotional and perceptual impact of design on the audience.

💡Vision vs. Execution

The gap between vision and execution is a central theme in the video. It refers to the difference between what a designer envisions and what they are able to create. The script discusses how AI tools are narrowing this gap, empowering creators to realize their visions more effectively and efficiently.

💡Art Directors

An art director is a role typically involved in overseeing the visual style and images in various forms of media. The video predicts that more creators will take on the role of art directors in 2024, using AI to refine their prompts and create more personalized and targeted visual content.

💡Prompt Engineering

Prompt engineering is the process of carefully crafting instructions or 'prompts' for AI systems to generate specific types of content. In the context of the video, prompt engineering is crucial for guiding AI to produce desired design outcomes, with a future focus on diversity, storytelling, and sensitivity.

💡Imperfection

Imperfection, as discussed in the video, adds interest and curiosity to design. It contrasts with the often sterile and flawless output from AI, suggesting a future trend where designers may intentionally incorporate imperfections to make their work more engaging and relatable.

💡Analog Formats

Analog formats refer to traditional, non-digital methods of creating and experiencing media, such as vinyl records, film photography, and physical artwork. The video suggests a shift towards valuing tangible, tactile creations as a reaction to the digital overload, with analog formats providing a nostalgic and personal touch.

💡Tangible Tactile Experiences

Tangible tactile experiences are physical interactions with objects that can be touched and felt. The video predicts a move towards creating items that offer these experiences, as a way to stand out and provide a break from the digital realm. This includes a resurgence in formats like vinyl records and a focus on craftsmanship.

💡Choice Paradox

The choice paradox describes a situation where having too many options can lead to decision paralysis or dissatisfaction. The video uses this concept to predict a return to simpler, more focused choices in design and self-expression, favoring quality and substance over an overwhelming number of options.

💡AI Image Generator

An AI image generator is a tool that uses artificial intelligence to create images based on textual prompts. It is a significant part of the discussion as it exemplifies how AI is being used to streamline the design process, allowing creators to produce a vast number of images quickly and with less need for traditional design skills.

Highlights

The focus in graphic design is shifting from what is made to how it is made, with a significant increase in resources available to designers.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the design industry with tools like AI image generators, AI writers, and AI logo generators.

Over 1 billion images have been created using AI generators at Pixar, highlighting the scale of AI's impact on design.

70% of creators are editing their AI-generated images, indicating a move towards personalized and enhanced design outputs.

The gap between vision and execution is narrowing, empowering more creators to become art directors with the help of AI tools.

Online sellers can now create seasonal aesthetics for their products using AI, without the need for additional photo shoots or stock photography.

Authenticity will be a key focus in 2024, with a move away from creating fake worlds towards enhancing real images.

Imperfection in design can add interest and curiosity, contrasting with the often sterile perfection of AI-generated content.

The paradox of choice is leading to a return to tangible, tactile, and analog creations that offer a sense of nostalgia and connection.

Vinyl records are an example of the resurgence in analog formats, outselling CDs and offering a more tactile and nostalgic experience.

Analog formats like film photography are expected to become more prominent as a form of self-expression and design.

The use of AI in design is predicted to rise, with faster ideation and execution, but with an emphasis on creating real, tactile products.

There will be a move from artificial to authentic aesthetics as people grow tired of the fake looks generated by AI.

Designers are encouraged to take advantage of AI to save time and use that time to create real, tactile creations.