ChatGPT. Claude. Gemini. The list goes on and on as the AI race is in full swing. For businesses already under pressure to do more with less, many are taking advantage of these tools.

The landscape is definitely shifting. Understandably, you would want to look for ways to benefit from this, too, to get more out of your budget.

We want to show you what you gain when using both AI as a resource and a creative agency as a partner. So, we’re addressing the elephant(s) in the room and answering questions you might have about using AI versus working with a design agency.

Elephant #1: “Can’t AI just design everything for us?”

We’re at the point now where AI tools, or rather large language models (LLMs), are effective in helping generate ideas and automate certain tasks.

But, they aren’t intelligent. Nor do they think. (Although some people believe it’s right around the corner.)

By relying solely on AI to create your marketing campaigns, brand identity, or other assets, you may find yourself with designs that feel generic, don’t quite align with your unique brand essence, or, in some cases, unintentionally copy another company.

And that last point could land you in hot water legally.

On the other hand, a human-led creative team like ours can think critically about the design as it relates to your business goals. We make sure every part of the layout functions to have a meaningful, relevant visual conversation with your audience.

Elephant #2: “Isn’t working with an agency expensive?”

It depends on the project. However, as an agency with human designers, we’ll admit that when compared to the initial costs associated with AI logo and design tools, yes, this technology in its current state comes in cheaper.

But it might help to ask yourself: What’s the cost of redoing an AI logo, brand design, etc., versus bringing in designers early on who will take a strategic approach in addition to doling out the creative heat?

We know that budgetary concerns are a very real and valid thing for businesses of all sizes. Part of being a partner to you means providing solutions that work with your budget.

Elephant #3: “AI tools can just follow our brand guidelines, right?”

Yes, it can follow rules for color palettes and other components of your brand’s identity. But what it can’t do is interpret them.

It doesn’t understand nuance. You have to force it into your prompts, and even then, AI only works within the parameters it’s trained on. It can’t recognize when to make slight changes and adapt to specific campaigns or initiatives while staying on-brand.

As designers, we see your brand as part of a larger ecosystem for communicating with your audience. Yes, we care about brand consistency when producing marketing and sales assets. But we also care a lot about making sure the graphics we create not only stick to your established guidelines but also allow room for flexibility.

Elephant #4: “Why would we hire an agency to make a logo since it’s such a small thing?”

Okay, we’re going to crack our knuckles on this one since logo design is near and dear to our hearts.

A logo is your 24/7 brand ambassador. It’s usually one of the first introductions people have to your business. Numerous studies have demonstrated how much a logo’s design shapes brand perception—even down to the letter case used in it.

When you create a logo design using AI, it’s based on the prompt that you’ve given it. Even when you provide it with the additional context it should consider, it’s difficult to translate this into a distinctive mark. Generative AI cannot consider what people should experience or take away from the logo when they encounter it.

On the flip side, our designers think about this when creating a logo, as well as how it will scale in the future to evolve with your business. Since this is such a fundamental brand asset, putting time and energy into creating a one-of-a-kind mark will pay for itself in spades.

Elephant #5: “AI is the future. Isn’t hiring people outdated?”

We won’t tell you how to spend your money. But we believe it would be worthwhile to consider who you trust to present your brand authentically: AI or humans?

We’re 99.9% sure that your customers are human. And there is something in this experience that’s difficult to replicate in ones and zeros. AI is a tool, but it’s not a replacement for strategy, insight, or emotional intelligence.

As an agency, we admittedly use AI in our work. However, KEYLAY is not a fully automated or AI-first agency. We use AI as a supplemental tool to speed up parts of the creative process, like ideation and photo editing. But for us, AI isn’t a substitute for face-to-face conversations that lead to “aha” moments and analytical thought that’s crucial to making brands memorable.

Making the best of both worlds

Generative AI has, in many ways, sped up the design process from ideation to implementation.

While it offers an immediate product that can be whipped up with a prompt, AI is a complement to, not a replacement for, the humanity needed to create a bond between you and your customer.

We recommend using AI in conjunction with design professionals so you can create marketing materials efficiently without losing what makes your business unique, and well, human. It’s the key to differentiating your brand from others who rely exclusively on AI to produce generic designs that lack heart and soul.