Introduction
"DALL·E 2 is an advanced AI system developed by OpenAI, capable of generating highly realistic images and artwork based on natural language descriptions. With its innovative capabilities, DALL·E 2 expands the boundaries of human imagination and offers new avenues for creative expression. Similarly, Midjourney is a cutting-edge platform that empowers users to explore novel mediums of thought and unleash their imaginative potential. By inputting descriptive phrases, such as 'One rose in a dark valley during a thunderstorm,' 'A calm ocean during a thunderstorm,' or 'A wrecked ship on the shore during a thunderstorm,' users can elicit the creation of four distinct 1x1 images that capture the essence of the prompt. DALL·E goes beyond the text-to-image paradigm, as it allows users to import existing images and generate four unique variations. Moreover, users have the flexibility to build upon preexisting images or leverage the system's generated images to foster further artistic exploration. The combination of these features empowers users to engage with the DALL·E system in a professional and creative manner."
Incorporating AI into our design process presents unique challenges. It is important to recognize that AI should not replace human work entirely; instead, there are two key ways in which AI can be effectively utilized.
Conceptualization
AI can serve as a valuable tool for conceptualizing ideas. By leveraging AI capabilities, designers can explore and generate innovative concepts that might not have been considered otherwise. AI can assist in the ideation phase by offering diverse perspectives and sparking creative thinking. However, it is crucial to view AI-generated outputs as a starting point or a source of inspiration, rather than a final product. Human designers possess the expertise and nuanced understanding necessary to refine and shape these initial AI-generated concepts into compelling and meaningful designs.
In the developmental phase of a project, it is valuable to create collages of concepts to visualize the design progress. However, accurately visualizing a concept can be challenging. To address this, AI systems such as DALL·E and Midjourney can provide assistance in conceptualizing projects. For instance, DALL·E can be utilized to generate an initial idea of what the project could entail.
In the example provided, DALL·E was employed using the input text prompt "a home is a green meadow made of timber, cuboid form, photo-realistic, 4K" to create a 1x1 image representing the concept. By incorporating terms like "photo-realistic" and "4K," the desired style of the drawing is influenced, emphasizing a realistic portrayal rather than a watercolor or sketchy style.
The resulting drawing, shown above, was generated by DALL·E in a 1x1 format. However, with the introduction of the "outpainting" feature, it is now possible to expand an image beyond the initial constraints. Additionally, incorporating DALL·E into the design process enables the swift creation of visualizations, which can then be further refined in programs like Photoshop. Minor errors, color adjustments, composition enhancements, and the addition of elements such as trees and scale figures can be implemented during this stage.
The additional elements circled in the drawing were obtained through text-to-image prompts in DALL·E. By leveraging specific elements from the AI-generated images, the time-consuming process of searching or purchasing individual assets is circumvented. This technique results in a collage of different images that enriches the overall visualization. However, it is important to note that for a final rendering, relying solely on AI-generated interpretations may not be suitable, as the careful thought and intention of a human designer are essential. At this point in the design process, it is crucial to revisit the conceptualization stage to refine and advance the design further.
When AI is involved in the creation of a final drawing, its purpose should primarily be for visualization or collaging elements. By understanding the role of AI within the design process, designers can effectively leverage its capabilities while maintaining the integrity of human creativity and decision-making.
Collaging
AI can be leveraged to create unique collages by extracting components from AI-generated images. This process involves identifying interesting and visually appealing elements within the AI-generated outputs and combining them in novel ways. By curating and reassembling these components, designers can produce original compositions that seamlessly integrate human creativity with AI-generated content. This approach allows for a harmonious collaboration between human designers and AI, enabling the exploration of new design possibilities while maintaining the distinctive touch and vision of the human creator.
By adopting these strategies, designers can harness the power of AI to augment their creative processes, pushing the boundaries of what is possible while preserving the essential role of human expertise and artistic expression.
Exploring Ideas Quickly
When faced with the challenge of designing a home for a family of 4 with a distinct feature or location, it can be beneficial to explore multiple concepts to present to the client. If you're having trouble generating ideas, AI systems like DALL·E can help you quickly create images that conceptualize the project and explore its potential identity. However, it is important to note that the images generated by DALL·E are not final designs but serve as inspiration and a starting point for the architect.
From the set of 9 images generated by DALL·E in response to the project proposal, the architect can extract elements or themes that resonate with the project's vision. For example, ideas like a suspended home from a cliff, a red-painted home in a forest, or a geometric home contrasting with its environment can be explored further. These elements become inspiration for the architect to develop a sense of plan and urgency regarding the project's identity.
It is crucial to understand that the architect cannot directly replicate the structures depicted in the generated images, as they may not be responsive to the real-world environment or consider functional aspects. Instead, the architect must use these images as a springboard for inspiration, blending them with their expertise and knowledge of architectural principles.
The next step for the architect is to design a responsive and functional structure that takes into account the specific needs of the family and the unique features or location discussed with the client. This involves incorporating the extracted elements from the generated images while considering practical constraints, building codes, sustainability, and the overall context of the project.
By combining the inspiration from the generated images with the architect's own creativity, expertise, and a deep understanding of the project requirements, the architect can develop a unique and compelling design that captures the essence of the client's vision and addresses the functional and aesthetic goals of the project.
Generative Fill
Photoshop's Generative Fill is a powerful feature that utilizes artificial intelligence algorithms to automatically fill in selected areas of an image with plausible content. It leverages advanced machine learning techniques to analyze the existing image and generate new pixels that seamlessly blend with the surrounding areas. Lets use the Cuboid Project as an example.
The image is not the size we want for a final submission. We lost the Ps file for the rednering and can no longer edit or remove layers on the image.
Final Product
Utilizing Ps generative fill is simple. A selection is made around an area of the image to either remove, add, or alter a component.
The image above demonstrate the power of ai as a tool. Although this image is conceptual based on a Dalle excersise, the same principles can be applied for renderings from twinmotion, lumion, D5, Etc. to correct or alter the image in a way that does not alter the design, but its environment.
The tool has capabilities to tell the narrative of projects in a more precise manner.