AI, A Designer’s Empowering Tool
By Annah Samu – Design Intern
As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries around the world, one question
continues to dominate conversations within the creative sector, will AI replace graphic
designers?
Zimbabwean graphic designer Donald Tapfuma, popularly known as Seer Inspired, answered
this question with clarity. Rather than seeing AI as a threat, he believes designers must view it
as a tool to help advance their work.
“Design, like technology, is always evolving. The two are so intertwined that there is a constant
need to advance and learn. This increases one’s knowledge base and skill set, enabling a
designer to be of greater service to both a team and a cause. For that, I am always ready, that is
why instead of resisting AI, I am embracing and using it” said Tapfuma.
While acknowledging AI’s growing capabilities, Tapfuma insists that it cannot replace the
complete creative process.
“AI is not a replacement for the design process, so it does not bring everything to completion.
There is always a need for the human touch. That’s why I import everything into the Adobe Suite
for proper layout, colouring and specific edits that reflect my touch as the creative in control of
the process and bring out my own ideas and accents.
“
Software developer Alex Musarara, creator of Wryter Chatbot, an AI-powered assistant
designed to help students with academic writing described AI as one of the most significant
technological breakthroughs of this generation.
“Before this, AI was something we saw in the movies. Now this great tool is in the hands of
humans. You can only imagine the many wondrous things we can create.
“
According to him, mastering AI begins with understanding how to communicate with it
effectively.
“Basic things like prompts can determine your results. That means your imagination combined
with your language is equal to a life changing creation. I personally believe we are responsible
for training the AIs, making the familiar with our preferred style and touch.
” said Alex.
Musarara believes that the Zimbabwe ministry of education should move quickly to embrace
artificial intelligence by introducing it into the national education curriculum.
“I need to see AI studied in schools because the digital world is moving at lightning speed. Our
students should keep up. AI should be taught to everyone so they all have equal opportunities in
the marketplace.
“The same perspective is shared internationally. Writing for Muzli Design Inspiration, designer
Loana Adriana Teleanu a prominent AI and UX product design leader, educator, and consultant
based in Bucharest, Romania, in her article Why AI Won’t Replace Designers (Just Yet), argues
that AI is reshaping the role of designers rather than eliminating it.
“Would I be so excited and fascinated with something I feel threatens my job, my career, and my
opportunities? Probably not.
“
Teleanu explains that effective design goes beyond aesthetics but iy requires a deep
understanding of human psychology, business strategy, user research, accessibility, sociology
and systems thinking.
“Although AI can be trained using information from these disciplines, it still struggles to combine
them into meaningful, human-centred design solutions. Significant critical and systems thinking
skills are required to design and oversee the process of combining multiple disciplines, and for
now, only humans possess these skills deeply.
” She said.
The conversation around AI and design is no longer about whether artificial intelligence is
coming is staying because it is. The real question is whether designers will choose to adapt or
resist.
Those who see AI as a competitor may find themselves constantly fighting against technological
progress. Those who embrace it as a creative partner will discover new ways to work faster,
explore more ideas and deliver better results. The designers, however, remains at the centre of
the creative process bringing empathy, strategy, cultural understanding and artistic judgment
that machines cannot replicate.