Creation vs Computation

For decades, computers have been an indispensable tool in creativity. So are designers the dispensable ones?

AI advances are gathering pace. Simple conversational bots, like Siri, are improving. Facebook believes chatbots will form the third step in the evolution of the internet. And we might be on the cusp of a leap too, as ‘machine learning’ (self-evolving AI) shows enormous potential.

This month we played with this site. Input some text, and it creates an infinite number of ‘logos’ in response. Initially they’re terrible, but keep selecting the ones that ‘work’ and bit by bit, better design emerges.

Thing is, it still requires human input. And alone, the site couldn’t have created the kind of human instinct exhibited by say, JKR’s new design for Domino’s pizza boxes. It’s a design that looks obvious in hindsight, but requires a blend of creativity, strategic insight and old-fashioned intuition.

Right now, machines can create – but can’t understand their audience, or intuit their way to inspired design solutions. So we’re safe. For the time being.