Creative design was one area where I was convinced that computers will have a difficult time replacing human beings. In fact, it is common knowledge that creative artists and designers can charge thousands of dollars (sometimes hundreds of thousands or more) for design of company logos.
What if design can be automated?
I was recently introduced to a company called LogoYes (Disclosure: I have no affiliation with the firm) that has automated the process of logo design. I would strongly encourage you to check out their system (what I love even more is that you can play with the software as long as you like and no one forces you to sign up). The choices for a logo are literally in millions and the price (as of 07/18/2004) is only $150 or so. And mind you these are not templates. You actually create a unique design that represents your brand. And if you know even a little bit of photo editing, you can make some minor adjustments on your own to make it even more unique.
I agree that when a Fortune 500 company wants its logo, it will not use a "stupid computer" to design its logo. Fine. But what about startups and small and mid-size firms that can either not afford or do not wish to spend huge sums of money on logo design? This is definitely a solution that needs to be looked at prior to approaching a firm that employs human beings.
What are other growth opportunities through automation of design?
Some of the most creative work is still done by human beings and that makes it very expensive. Design is one of them. For years we have already been taking the help of computers for design of machines and systems but we largely relied on humans for design of logos (since the creative component was more valuable than the actual rendition as an image).
So as a business leader who manages a creative design business, think about growth opportunities by asking: Can you grow your market by automating a design process so that larger number of businesses might be motivated to use it? Do not think of this as a threat (unless of course you decide to do nothing). Think of it as an opportunity to reinvent your business model. Your value-added activities will still be in demand but what can be outsourced to a computer, you should think about it now.
What if design can be automated?
I was recently introduced to a company called LogoYes (Disclosure: I have no affiliation with the firm) that has automated the process of logo design. I would strongly encourage you to check out their system (what I love even more is that you can play with the software as long as you like and no one forces you to sign up). The choices for a logo are literally in millions and the price (as of 07/18/2004) is only $150 or so. And mind you these are not templates. You actually create a unique design that represents your brand. And if you know even a little bit of photo editing, you can make some minor adjustments on your own to make it even more unique.
I agree that when a Fortune 500 company wants its logo, it will not use a "stupid computer" to design its logo. Fine. But what about startups and small and mid-size firms that can either not afford or do not wish to spend huge sums of money on logo design? This is definitely a solution that needs to be looked at prior to approaching a firm that employs human beings.
What are other growth opportunities through automation of design?
Some of the most creative work is still done by human beings and that makes it very expensive. Design is one of them. For years we have already been taking the help of computers for design of machines and systems but we largely relied on humans for design of logos (since the creative component was more valuable than the actual rendition as an image).
So as a business leader who manages a creative design business, think about growth opportunities by asking: Can you grow your market by automating a design process so that larger number of businesses might be motivated to use it? Do not think of this as a threat (unless of course you decide to do nothing). Think of it as an opportunity to reinvent your business model. Your value-added activities will still be in demand but what can be outsourced to a computer, you should think about it now.