designers vs. artificial intelligence

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My assumption was that the contemporary seeking of simplicity causes sameness. After searching simplicity approaches in design through history, I realized it is based on function. Previous examples of simplicity do not suffer from the lack of character, as current ones do. Nowadays, simple design is mainly to implement a template without minding the requirements of the specific project.

Mass production reaches an impasse when it competes on a price basis only. So, the competition began to be based on esthetic values in many fields. In the book Propaganda, Bernays mentions that the taste and opinion of the authority are recognized by society (1928) and the esthetic values are always guided by monopolies.

Manufacture is being modified to suit the economic need and meet the public demand for more beauty. (Bernays, 1928)

A monopoly means a company or group having exclusive control over a commodity or service. There are various monopolies throughout history, from Standard Oil (1890s) to Microsoft (1980s). This monopolized economic structure creates barriers to enter a market, a lack of competition, unfair advantages and control over prices. Eventually, design is enforced to obey the rules of these monopolies as much as all the other industries and create in a recognized way.


Templates becomes designers

Creative professions are harder to replicate by artificial intelligence. The tools like Wix and Tailor Brands aim to make design automated tasks. The algorithm designs may not have the same inner value as designers', yet this should not be underestimated. Clients do not always aware of the structure of design and they tend to use a free logo generator or web site template rather than paid design service. I believe it is disputable what is the objective behind using these design tools: to ease the design process or erase the designer from the process.

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