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Seriously. We’re talking about creative, human, intuitive disciplines. Not exact sciences. You can’t just copy what worked yesterday and expect the same results today.
So why the fear?
Why are so many graphic designers freaking out at the idea of being replaced by AI?
What is beauty, anyway?
We tend to forget, but even though concepts like the golden ratio give us a framework for beauty, nature – our very first source of inspiration – is fundamentally imperfect, chaotic, and unique.
Design isn’t an exact science like math or physics.
There’s no single truth or one correct answer. Two designers can respond to the same brief in completely different ways — and both solutions can work, depending on the context, audience, and intention.
Design is subjective, cultural, emotional.
It’s a creative, human practice filled with meaning. It relies on intuition, empathy, and the ability to catch subtle signals.
And just because your design worked yesterday doesn’t mean it’ll work again tomorrow.
AI can generate visually pleasing content, but it doesn’t know why it’s creating or who it’s creating for.
And that’s the bare minimum — even for a mediocre designer.
AI filters, but it doesn’t replace
Let’s be honest: AI is going to wipe out the weak.
The designers who copy without understanding.
The ones who can’t defend an idea or a concept.
But for the good ones?
It’s a boost.
If you know what you’re doing, you’ll be able to charge twice as much.
Why? Because even AI won’t do it better than you — and your perceived value will skyrocket.
Companies will quickly realize that generating glowing lines on a beige background with ChatGPT in the name of “modern design” doesn’t make something good.
Sure, it looks “clean”, but it tells no story.
And spoiler: that kind of design doesn’t convert.
Don’t listen to LinkedIn “experts”
The people shouting that “X job is dead” are usually… guess what?
Engineers.
People who’ve never worked on an ad campaign, never pitched a visual identity to a real client, never launched a product in a competitive market.
And behind their speech?
A course to sell.
A no-code tool.
A promise to automate your “outdated” profession.
But let’s be serious for a second:
If you don’t understand branding, don’t know what clients actually need, and have never learned the subtle power of good design…
maybe you should hold off on declaring a profession dead — especially one you clearly don’t understand.
Design is about reading between the lines
A designer isn’t just someone who knows how to use Photoshop.
It’s an eye. A skill to communicate a message through visuals.
To understand a brand, a culture, an audience.
To translate emotion into pixels.
It’s a real job.
And today more than ever, it’s a job that matters.
What you need to do now
Don’t panic.
Don’t obsess over Midjourney or Firefly.
What you need to do is:
- Master the fundamentals: real beauty, visual rules, composition.
- Understand the story behind the design. Visual storytelling.
- Equip yourself: use AI as an assistant, not as a competitor.
- Stay curious: what’s trendy today might be cringe tomorrow.
- Learn to sell your work: explain your value, educate your client.
- Improve your vocabulary and your English (makes prompting easier).
The Adobe suite is still your best friend — for now.
You still need to retouch, edit, prepare drafts, tweak videos…
AI can help you go faster, but it won’t replace your eye or your intention.
PS: I just wanted to share my thoughts.
We really do need skilled artists out there.
I hope this article reassured you.