Document Layout with ChatGPT

---

30 minutes, and not usable

ChatGPT produced this mockup, which is not terrible.  But I provided the text and a very detailed prompt that specified relative sizes for the text. I also specified the final dimensions, orientation theme, colors. After 30 minutes,  ChatGPT produced this mockup, which is not terrible. ChatGPT added two topics,  WHAT YOU'LL LEARN, LOCATION, and START DATES. From this, and previous attempts, it looks like OpenAi has been trained to base layouts on a grid, which is a smart idea for a program that has no visual perception or ability to interpret how shapes and information relate to each other. 

30 minutes, and not usable

The mockup at left was not editable, of course, consistent with my many previous attempts to get an editable layout from ChatGPT. 

When I requested an editable file, the AI offered to supply a Canva file or an editable PDF.  I could launch Canva, but I spend more time in Adobe apps, so I requested a PDF. It took ChatGPT another 30 minutes to provide this PDF. Imagine lots of gears grinding and wisps of smoke.

Unfortunately, THIS is the editable PDF. It is useless.

45 minutes

The mockup was a PNG file, and not editable. Being a reasonably clever designer, I opened the mockup in a separate browser tab, enlarged it on my high-resolution monitor, and took a screenshot of the ChatGPT's illustration, which I titled "Sinuous Rainbow." 

Then I rebuilt the layout in a more interesting arrangement in Illustrator. I sampled colors from the illustration, created a better hierarchy, and chose more better fonts. I lean towards bold condensed for tech-y designs, but that's what style is about. I added the client logo and created a QR code.

1 hour, including 2 new AI illustrations

 I asked ChatGPT for to generate an image of a student working in digital media, and it gave me the second image, an apparent vector illustration, which was, of course not vector and not easily editable without re-tracing it in Illustrator. I then requested a photographic image, and it offered the top image. Together with my layout, all three create a narrative about working in digital design.

 1.25 hours including image research

Getting a bit frustrated with asking ChatGPT to provide a dynamic illustration of digital media, I found this one on Adobe Stock. My client would have to pay for the image if they agreed that this option supported the message. However,  I would explain that there  is a free trial, and that an annual subscription would be discounted. As with all of my clients, I explain that just because they can find images online, it does not mean they can use them. And that access to copyright-free content is worthwhile.

1.25 hours including image research

 Switching direction, which is difficult for AI, is easy for a designer.  I found this image on Pixels, and rearranged the text to work with the shapes in the image. 

The layout  feels more static., but the photo is dynamic. It speaks to a large segment of the client's audience that is intensely interested in social media, gaming, and video editing.

My prompt:  Attend our undergraduate degree program in Digital Multimedia and AI-aided Design and create your future now! 

Firefly offered 20 layouts but 19 are not usable. They are semi-editable in Firefly but it's painfully slow.  Editing was only possible after bringing one into Illustrator. The image in #1 (above left) seemed odd, because the Edison bulbs are very steampunk, not future-thinking. But I was intrigued when I realized they were supposed to be people, made out of . . . electrical tape? I created something similar, and will post in a few weeks.

Only one layout included enough of the text and visually supported the message (above, right) to create a starting point for design. It is engaging mostly because of the colorful image of a digital eye with streaming light. The layout is awkward, with dull color that fights the image. The random placement of text, rectangles and grids seems amateur. And every element, including words, is separate but grouped. I had to rebuild it from scratch. Extracting the image was tricky, but it turned out to have a clipping mask which was helpful. 

 Although AI is not yet able to design a layout, the image was cool and the grids inspired me to think about pixels. It requires a designer to select the best iteration, de-construct it, and choose fonts, color, and branding. Using the "Digital Eye" image (left) as a reference, I created two more images with Firefly's generative AI—an eye and a paper floral wreath—and layered them together to create a new image (above right). But it looks more arty than digital, and a floral motif not appeal to prospective male students.

Although I find the colorful digital eye and pixels engaging, I created two variations with darker, more tech-y photos that are copyright-free from Pexels. I could jazz up the photos with Photoshop filters or by increasing the saturation. Before I do, I'd want to see what the client thinks of these versions. The text in all variations is a placeholder.