It’s quick and it’s cheap. But does AI graphic design, which can sometimes look overly airbrushed and even a little disturbing because of that, hurt your brand in the long run?

Our graphic design agency in Sydney takes an honest look into the potential downsides of using AI for graphic design, as well as the pros.

The Danger of Fake-Looking Designs

One of the most prominent criticisms of AI-generated design is how it often looks too perfect, and not real. The human eye is drawn to imperfections, small details and unique nuances, which AI sometimes overlooks. This can leave you with designs that are so polished that they appear artificial, fake or hyper-realistic.

The concept of the “uncanny valley” comes into play. Originally used to describe the eerie feeling people get when a robot looks almost, but not quite, human, this phenomenon also applies to graphic design and brands. AI-generated designs can hit that strange middle ground where they appear almost real but are just off enough to make viewers uncomfortable.

Airbrushed skin tones, overly symmetrical faces, or perfect geometric patterns can make designs feel too clean, too sterile and devoid of imperfections that lend a sense of realism. For brands that thrive on authenticity and emotional connection, this is a major red flag. When a design feels unnatural, customers may not trust your message or connect with your brand on an emotional level.

But It’s Not All Bad

The key to leveraging AI across anything creative, including graphic design, is to strike a balance between automation and authenticity.

AI can handle the more mundane, time-consuming tasks, freeing up human designers to focus on the creative and strategic aspects of a project. When used thoughtfully, AI can enhance the work of human designers, not overshadow it.

By striking the right balance, brands can benefit from the best of both worlds—efficient AI-driven design processes that are still emotionally resonant and capable of connecting with audiences.

At Brand for Brands, we firmly believe in strategic creativity, which applies to branding and graphic design as well. After determining your business needs, we work with you on a few initial concepts and actively involve you in multiple stages of review.

We’ll meet your cost, time and creative expectations. Trust our graphic design agency in Sydney today for thoughtful, meaningful logos, graphics and more that will connect with your audience.