AI-generated visuals still require design judgment

Research Notes

Only when an image is placed in a real layout can you tell whether it works. This article explores the relationship between content, design and use, offering a sequence of judgments to guide project discussions.

See the whole and the details

Once an image's style meets the brief, its product form, logo, text and background details still need checking. Handling elements that must be accurate separately makes review more concrete.

Compare directions at real sizes

Thumbnails, full-screen views, print and mobile each have different reading conditions. Candidate directions should be compared in actual layouts, looking at information, cropping and brand recognition.

Turn them into formal assets

Approved images need clear naming, version labels and usage notes. Adding them to the brand asset library helps future channels use them consistently.

Bringing it into project discussions

• Input: Are the brief, audience and must-be-accurate information complete?
• Review: Have content and visuals passed both fact and brand checks?
• Application: Does it work on real devices, channel formats and user journeys?

Bring these questions to real materials and use cases, recording the current version, the rationale for changes and feedback from use. When every adjustment has a clear basis, the team can keep applying these judgments in future work.

Reader's Note

This article presents design methods and project observations written by Qingmei Future for its website. The project links below are provided for reference to existing work and application materials. The methods suggested here do not imply that all listed projects followed the same process, nor do they constitute project outcome data.