With regard to packaging design, the developments are very exciting. AI is on the rise and is becoming increasingly relevant in many business areas. The creation of images, logos and even packaging design can now also be done using appropriate AI systems. It is actually only a matter of time before complete artworks can be done directly by AI.
Is it already possible today using software or will humans remain faster for the foreseeable future if they behave like the hedgehog and use a few tricks?
The problem: slow processes and AI products that can only be used to a limited extent
It depends on the area of application. If you only need a few product packagings, you can use AI to get inspiration and recreate them as print files. The situation is different for product ranges or product families with more than 100(0) items in very different packaging sizes.
If you are thinking about AI to achieve greater efficiency aka cost reductions, you also have to think about processes. An AI can create ambience images and images of packaging in a matter of seconds. Designed packaging is also possible. But this does not immediately create a print file. In fact, the problems are only just beginning. How can the AI-generated packaging design be applied to a die-cutting contour? It is difficult to package products using an image of a packaging.
It becomes even more difficult if an entire product family or larger range is to be equipped with a consistent packaging design. This is already possible today using programming and software. As are language variants of one and the same master layout for different countries. However, people are still needed to develop scalable design systems with which master layouts or automatically generated artwork can be created. Because even an AI needs specifications based on mathematics so that it can generate the print data or Adobe InDesign templates for 100(0) formats.
The solution: make people faster and more efficient with new tools.
The effort can be worthwhile. In individual cases, it must be checked whether software makes more economic sense than a person who can create numerous artworks in 50% of the working time using a scalable packaging design. Anyone who is dissatisfied with the current situation because the costs are too high, the errors are too frequent, the correction loops are too many and the packaging is too inconsistent may find the following points exciting.
1. Inspiration and new design suggestions: AI systems help to inspire the development of new designs. Whether graphic forms or emotional mood images; AI already offers a lot here. There is little to be said against having an AI generate images or suggestions for packaging design. Those who start early gain experience and routines that become more and more relevant as technology advances.
2. Modifications to maintain legal certainty: Since copyrights relating to AI products have not yet been fully clarified in Europe, the packaging design generated by an AI should be recreated and sufficiently modified.
3. Brand-compliant design: An AI does not necessarily currently design in line with brands and does not adhere to regional restrictions. This must be optimized by a specialist afterwards.
4. Creation of print data: In order to make a design concept printable, a trained specialist is still needed who can recreate the designs and adapt them to the die-cutting contours. When it comes to large amounts of print data, the design should be provided with a scalable design system to ensure faster adaptations and consistency.
5. Print data via software: Once the design is in place, there is already software available for semi- or fully automatic creation of artwork. However, this is currently only worthwhile for at least 1,000 items. A scalable design system is also required for this, which must be created by an experienced specialist. AI cannot do this yet. Another software variant is that for language adaptations. Here, a master is set up, provided with templates via a plug-in and linked to the database. Language adaptations can then be carried out easily and safely and image or text elements can be updated more quickly later.
6. Methods and routine: Working methods can be optimized with the help of a design system and new work instructions. This allows designers to set up new, faster routines and create artworks in up to 50% less working time.
7. Time and costs: A software or AI is programmed. The more precise the results should be, the more time is required. A designer may be able to create artwork more flexibly and quickly. The cost-effectiveness must be examined on a case-by-case basis.
Conclusion
The fascination of having packaging design created automatically by an AI or software is great. However, it is important to check how many individual adjustments are necessary for which programming is not worthwhile due to the time involved. A designer can develop a disruptive element and place it in the layout more quickly than a programmer can currently do. It is also questionable how long an AI needs to place the disruptive element where you want it. For the foreseeable future, specialists will still be needed to lend a hand. However, with scalable design systems and new routines, they can be enabled to create design-dependent artwork within 10-15 minutes.
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