Generative AI in Design: Keep Your Style

Generative models have entered the design world with incredible speed. Midjourney, DALL·E, Runway — today, anyone can create a poster, logo, or 3D scene in minutes.
But along with this convenience comes a real risk: visual burnout, cookie-cutter outputs, and loss of brand consistency.
So how do you leverage AI tools without letting go of your creative identity?

 

Table of Contents

1. What is Generative AI in Design?
2. Pros and Risks: Where Style Gets Lost
3. Before & After: Design Examples
4. How to Keep Your Visual Identity
5. Tools with Style Anchors & Customization
6. Best Prompt Practices for Designers
7. The Future of Design Identity
8. Conclusion

 

What is Generative AI in Design?

Generative models are neural networks that produce visual content based on text, reference images, or stylistic instructions. Here are some leading tools:

Model	Capabilities	Unique Features
Midjourney	Illustrations, surreal art	Artistic, abstract compositions
DALL·E 3	Realism, collages, image extension	Integrated with ChatGPT
Runway ML	Video and animation generation	Simple video editing tools
StyleGAN	Face and object stylization	Used in branding & portrait art

🧠 These models learn from millions of images and generate new content based on defined input criteria.

 

Pros and Risks: Where Style Gets Lost

✅ Pros:

• ⚡ Speed: Generate variations in seconds
• 🎯 Accuracy: Precise execution of prompts
• 💡 Inspiration: Surprising and fresh ideas

❌ Risks:

• 🔁 Sameness: Many users end up with similar-looking outputs
• 🧩 Hard to control: Difficult to enforce brand guidelines
• 🧽 Blurred authorship: Is it the designer or the AI creating the work?

 

Before & After: Design Examples

Project	Before (Manual Design)	After (Midjourney Generated)
Podcast Cover	Minimal layout, brand palette	Detailed but cluttered composition
Coffee Shop Logo	Geometric emblem, clear lettering	Artistic but unreadable image
Blog Illustration	Unified brand tone	Inconsistent style from image to image

📌 Bottom line: AI is powerful, but human supervision is still critical.

 

How to Keep Your Visual Identity

🎨 Build a style guide: Include fonts, color palettes, reference visuals — and feed these into image conditioning when possible.
🧾 Work with templates: Some platforms allow custom model training using your visual style (e.g., Leonardo AI or visual-based GPT customization).
🖌️ Edit the results manually: Never use raw AI output — fine-tune layouts, colors, and proportions.
📁 Create a custom dataset: Essential for brands — feed your own visuals into the system to guide the style.

 

Tools with Style Anchors & Customization

These tools support consistent design with custom visual styles:

💡 Canva is especially useful for marketers and brand

Tool	Custom Style Support	Notable Features
Canva AI	✅ Yes	Magic Design generates templates aligned to your brand kit
Leonardo AI	✅ Yes	Fine-tune models using your image set
Runway ML	✅ Partial	Controlled video generation and editing
Playground AI	✅ Yes	Prompt libraries and visual reference integration
Krea.ai	✅ Yes	Grid generation using image prompts and reference input

designers thanks to its Brand Kit, which integrates logos, fonts, and colors into every AI-generated template.

 

Best Prompt Practices for Designers

1. Style Anchors: Mention specific artists, art movements, or sample visuals.
   Example: in the style of Wes Anderson
2. Visual Parameters: Include composition, color schemes, detailing.
   Example: flat vector, pastel palette, centered composition
3. Avoid clichés: Phrases like “trending on Artstation” can cause visual sameness.
4. Use seeds: Seeds help you replicate a specific style across multiple outputs.
5. Avoid prompt overload: Too many inputs may result in chaotic or unfocused visuals.

 

The Future of Design Identity

AI can now imitate artists, agencies, and even entire brand identities. But that doesn’t mean designers are obsolete.
Their role is shifting — from creators to creative directors. Strategy, vision, and consistency will matter more than ever.

🧭 AI can assist you — but your voice and your vision still belong to you.

 

Conclusion

Generative AI unlocks massive potential for designers. But to preserve your style, remember:

• Build a clear visual brand strategy
• Use AI tools that support style transfer
• Always review and refine AI output
• Prompt wisely and consistently
• Embrace hybrid tools like Canva AI

🚀 Use generative tools thoughtfully — and your style will remain strong. Discover the best ones at AIMarketWave!