Since the popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) in 2021, AI has improved rapidly over such a short period of time. Whether it’s entering a prompt to create an image or making a series of fruit characters argue about their relationship issues. For the most part, AI seems to be a good source of entertainment for many. Though this tool has struck fear in others, not just because of the environmental issues it may cause, but the risk of losing careers.
Walking around the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), there may be a flyer in almost every corner promoting an event or a UTEP organization, all with a distinctive AI look. For many passing by, it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but for students in the graphic design department, it could mean that their jobs are on the line.
“To put it bluntly, it [AI flyers] just screams laziness,” Dahlia Wood, a senior graphic design student, said. “I’d much rather prefer to see something done poorly, but it’s human-made rather than something that’s also done poorly but it’s AI-generated.”
Wood believes that organizations using AI for advertising seem uncredible. And students using AI for assignments are undermining their education.
“Essentially it discredits an organization for me because if they can’t do something as simple as making a poster, what can they do for me,” Wood said.
Many graphic designers at UTEP enrich their design with El Paso’s Fronterizo culture. Through a computer, AI design can challenge authenticity for borderland creatives.
“AI doesn’t know the niche cultures within El Paso. I remember one time I saw a lot of flyers with a Mexican theme, and it’s just AI-generated sombreros, maracas, and cactus. In a sense, it’s really watering down who we are.” Kristie Rodarte, a senior graphic design student, said.
For Anthoni Scarola, the Student Government Association [SGA] president and AdFed president, he grew concerned that AI flyers felt repetitive not only in style but in messaging.
“AI came to us really quickly; it developed to people using it to benefit their organizations or businesses, which is great,” Scarola said. “But at the same time, I feel like as we see these AI flyers develop, it almost feels just so repetitive. We’re using the messaging that we’re originally trying to give.”
After seeing so much AI design, Scarola has thought about solutions to give students resources to move away from using AI tools like Canva.
“Actually, your tuition does go to having free Adobe Express, which is an application similar to Canva but does not have all the features Canva has, so I think looking at other software would be very beneficial for the student body,” Scarola said.
Even if it has put fear into graphic designers, many students, including Rodarte, choose not to focus on computer-generated work but strive for greatness that exceeds machine capabilities.
“It’s become so powerful, but I mean the only thing you could do now is not only be good but be great at what you love, and that will speak for itself,” Rodarte said.
Mia Colmenero is the layout editor and may be reached at [email protected] and @miajcolmenero on instagram