Color and Design Courses, Introducing AI in foundation courses, Course structure, integrating Photoshop,
If you were going to design an eight-week design and color theory course that also allowed students to use AI tools such as MidJourney or whatever the Adobe program is, I don't remember the name of it. Anyway, if you were going to design an eight-week color theory 2D design, maybe merged, and the use of AI tools to enhance the imaging, the brainstorming, what might it look like?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
If I were to design an eight-week course combining color theory, 2D design, and AI tools like MidJourney or Adobe Firefly (the Adobe AI tool), it would aim to blend traditional design principles with emerging technologies to enhance the creative process. Here’s a general outline of how such a course might look:
Week 1: Introduction to Color Theory & AI Tools
Overview of color theory basics (hues, values, saturation, color harmony, etc.)
Introduction to AI tools (MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, etc.)
Hands-on practice with AI tools for generating color palettes and simple design elements based on color theory principles.
Week 2: The Emotional Impact of Color & AI in Design
Exploring how colors influence mood and perception.
Students use AI to generate imagery based on specific emotional tones (e.g., calming, energetic).
Assignment: Create a mood board using AI-generated images with a specific color scheme.
Week 3: The Science of Color & AI Colorization
Color models: RGB, CMYK, and Pantone.
Using AI to apply color schemes to black-and-white images or sketches (Adobe Firefly offers tools for colorizing designs).
Assignment: Convert grayscale artwork into a full-color piece using AI tools while applying the color models discussed.
Week 4: The Color Wheel and Harmonies
Focus on complementary, analogous, triadic, and split-complementary color schemes.
Students use AI tools to create designs based on these harmonies.
Hands-on exercise: Generate a series of AI designs based on one of the color harmonies and refine them.
Week 5: Exploring Contrast & AI for Creative Problem Solving
High contrast, low contrast, and how contrast affects readability and emphasis.
Using AI tools to explore variations of high and low contrast in designs.
Assignment: Design a promotional poster with high contrast elements using AI-generated images.
Week 6: Texture and Patterns in 2D Design with AI
Discussing how textures and patterns work with color in 2D design.
Using AI tools to generate textures, patterns, or abstract designs that incorporate color theory principles.
Assignment: Apply textures and patterns to an existing design using AI tools to enhance it.
Week 7: Composition and Layout with AI Assistance
Understanding balance, alignment, and visual hierarchy in design.
Using AI tools to experiment with layout variations and optimize compositions.
Assignment: Redesign an existing layout (e.g., magazine cover, website interface) using AI to suggest different layouts and color adjustments.
Week 8: Final Project and Integration of AI in Design
Students work on a final project that combines their knowledge of color theory and 2D design, using AI tools to aid in brainstorming, composition, and refinement.
Presentation and critique of final projects.
Throughout the course, students would be encouraged to use AI tools to experiment, brainstorm, and refine their design concepts while still grounding their work in traditional design principles. The AI tools would serve as a creative catalyst, helping students push their designs further and offering fresh perspectives.
4o mini
You said:
Yeah, the only thing I would like to take another look at is week three. I don't want to cover Pantone and CMYK.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Got it! If you'd like to keep Week 3 more focused on the practical aspects of color theory and design without getting into the technical details of Pantone and CMYK, here's an updated approach:
Week 3: The Science of Color & AI Color Exploration
Focus on how colors interact with each other (e.g., warm vs. cool, light vs. dark) and the effects of color combinations.
Introduction to the concept of color perception: How different colors are perceived depending on context and lighting.
Students use AI tools like MidJourney or Adobe Firefly to explore how variations in color combinations create different visual effects.
Assignment: Create a series of images using AI, exploring different color relationships (e.g., contrasting colors, harmonious colors) and analyzing how each affects the composition and mood.
This keeps the focus on color relationships and practical applications in design while using AI as a tool for exploration, without diving too deeply into technical color models like CMYK and Pantone. Would this approach work better?
4o mini
You said:
I'd like to stay away from anything scientific. I think on our previous discussion of color theory courses, we had some interesting assignments that just dealt with dissonance, mutual repulsion, those kinds of practical things. The only other thing that we're missing is I think that students would want to be using Photoshop to execute and to do all of these assignments. So I think each week we would want to have extremely basic assignments related to copying and pasting, cropping, assembling a montage or a collage. We don't need to get into very advanced Photoshop, but we would want students to feel very comfortable with taking an image that was generated somewhere and then being able to copy and paste and manipulate the shapes into a different composition and alter the color.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
That makes sense! Keeping the focus on practical, hands-on experience and avoiding scientific or overly technical details is a great way to approach this. We can emphasize how students can use Photoshop to execute their ideas by manipulating images, experimenting with color, and creating compositions. Here's a revised Week 3 and an overall adjustment to the course structure:
Week 3: Color Dissonance and AI-Assisted Composition
Key Concept: Dissonance, mutual repulsion, and how certain colors can visually clash or create tension in design.
Photoshop Focus: Basic image manipulation skills like cropping, resizing, and assembling images. Students will also practice adjusting colors using Photoshop’s tools (Hue/Saturation, Color Balance) to experiment with color dissonance.
AI Task: Students use AI tools to generate several images based on prompts that explore color clashes or tension (e.g., complementary colors, high contrast).
Assignment: Create a montage or collage in Photoshop that deliberately uses dissonant colors to create a sense of visual tension. Students will select and edit AI-generated images, using Photoshop to adjust their compositions and colors.
For the entire course, here’s how we could adapt the structure to emphasize Photoshop skills and keep the focus on practical, hands-on assignments:
Week 1: Introduction to Color Theory & Basic Photoshop Techniques
Key Concept: Color fundamentals (primary, secondary, warm, cool, etc.).
Photoshop Focus: Basic tools (selection, cropping, layering, moving elements). Students will start by using AI-generated images and practice basic editing like cutting, pasting, and color adjustments.
Assignment: Students create a simple design (e.g., poster, mood board) using images generated by AI, focusing on understanding basic color relationships.
Week 2: Color Harmony & Exploring Color in Photoshop
Key Concept: Exploring color harmonies like complementary, analogous, and triadic.
Photoshop Focus: Layering images, using blending modes, and adjusting transparency to experiment with color harmony.
Assignment: Students create a harmonious design using AI-generated images, focusing on balancing complementary or analogous colors. They will practice adjusting color and layers in Photoshop to achieve the desired effect.
Week 4: Contrast and Visual Hierarchy with AI
Key Concept: Exploring how contrast impacts readability and emphasis in design.
Photoshop Focus: Working with contrast by adjusting brightness/contrast, using selective color changes, and creating focal points in compositions.
Assignment: Students will create a promotional piece (e.g., a flyer or poster) that uses high and low contrast to guide the viewer’s eye. They’ll manipulate images and adjust colors in Photoshop to optimize contrast.
Week 5: Textures and Patterns in Design with Photoshop & AI
Key Concept: Exploring how texture and patterns affect the visual impact of color and design.
Photoshop Focus: Adding and adjusting textures, using pattern libraries, and working with layer masks to create depth and interest.
Assignment: Create a textured design (e.g., a t-shirt or packaging design) by incorporating AI-generated textures and patterns, and adjusting them in Photoshop.
Week 6: Dynamic Color Use and AI-Generated Variations
Key Concept: How to make bold, dynamic choices with color while maintaining cohesion.
Photoshop Focus: Using adjustment layers, gradient maps, and blending options to create dramatic color shifts.
Assignment: Students will create an experimental design (e.g., abstract art or album cover) that uses dynamic color variations generated by AI and refined in Photoshop.
Week 7: Composition, Layout, and Color Balance
Key Concept: How layout and composition influence the effectiveness of color choices.
Photoshop Focus: Working with grids, guides, and the alignment tools to create balanced compositions.
Assignment: Students will rework an existing design (e.g., website header, magazine cover) using AI-generated images. They will adjust the layout, ensuring good color balance and visual flow in Photoshop.
Week 8: Final Project – Integrating Color Theory, Design, and AI Tools
Key Concept: Applying everything learned throughout the course in a final project.
Photoshop Focus: Students will combine all the Photoshop skills from previous weeks (cropping, manipulating images, adjusting color, layering, etc.) to create a comprehensive design.
Assignment: Final project could involve designing a full promotional campaign, album cover, or website layout. Students will present their work, explaining their design choices and how they used color theory and AI tools to enhance their composition.
This revised structure keeps the focus on simple, practical Photoshop skills, while integrating AI tools to generate ideas and create images that students can manipulate and refine. It also balances design theory with execution, ensuring students are comfortable using AI-generated assets and Photoshop to craft thoughtful, polished designs.
4o mini
You said:
Hello. Yeah, I think that's good. The only other thing I would put in there would be a focus on symmetry and asymmetry and using the rule of thirds to define a focal point. But I have a question. I use MidJourney and I really like the way it works and the images it creates. I don't find Firefly to be quite as sophisticated. However, do you see Firefly catching up to MidJourney in the sophistication of its images? And then finally, you talked about taking grayscale images and applying different kinds of color schemes to them. Is it possible to drag a black and white image into Firefly or direct it to that black and white image and then have it colorize it at this particular point in time?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Great points! Adding a focus on symmetry, asymmetry, and the rule of thirds will definitely strengthen the course and give students more tools to refine their compositions. These principles will work well in combination with color theory and Photoshop exercises.
Regarding your question about Adobe Firefly catching up to MidJourney in terms of sophistication:
While Firefly is still relatively new, Adobe is continually updating its AI tools, and it's definitely possible that Firefly could catch up to, or even surpass, MidJourney in terms of image quality and versatility in the future. Firefly has the advantage of being deeply integrated with Adobe's suite, so if it expands its capabilities and refines its AI models, it could become a more robust tool for artists and designers. It’s not at the same level as MidJourney yet, but I’d expect steady improvements over time, especially given Adobe's investment in AI technology.
As for colorizing grayscale images in Firefly:
Yes, you can drag a black-and-white image into Adobe Firefly and use its tools to colorize it. Firefly can generate color variations for black-and-white images based on the prompts you provide, but the process of coloring it accurately depends on how well you prompt the AI. If you give Firefly specific instructions on how you want the image to be colorized, it will apply those colors within the context of the image, making it a powerful tool for adding color to grayscale images.
Would you like to dive deeper into how these tools work with specific design tasks, like creating a color palette from a black-and-white image or using AI for symmetry-based design?
4o mini
You said:
Yes.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Great! Let’s break down how you can use AI tools like Firefly and MidJourney to enhance your design tasks, especially focusing on colorization and symmetry:
1. Colorizing Grayscale Images
When you want to colorize a black-and-white image, Firefly can help bring it to life, especially if you're looking for specific colors or moods. Here’s how you can guide the AI to colorize the image more effectively:
Upload the grayscale image to Firefly.
Use a prompt to describe the colors you want, like "colorize with soft pastel tones" or "apply vibrant, natural colors."
You can also direct Firefly to focus on certain areas, like “add warmer tones to the foreground and cooler tones to the background.” This helps in creating depth or setting a mood.
Refining the color: Once Firefly applies color, you can adjust it further by specifying exact hues (e.g., “apply deep blues to the water” or “use earthy browns for the trees”). This makes the colorization more tailored and in line with your design intent.
Pro Tip: You can combine Firefly’s colorization with Photoshop for further fine-tuning. Once you have the base colors from Firefly, you can adjust saturation, brightness, or use masks in Photoshop to refine certain areas of the image.
2. Using AI for Symmetry & Asymmetry
Symmetry and asymmetry are important principles in composition, and AI can assist you in generating designs that embrace both. You can prompt MidJourney or Firefly to help visualize these concepts:
Symmetry: Use prompts like “Create a symmetrical design with balanced elements on both sides,” or “Design a logo with perfect symmetry.” AI can help you generate precise, balanced compositions. You can then manipulate the symmetry in Photoshop by applying the mirror tool or symmetry brushes.
Asymmetry: This is about creating tension, focusing on one side more heavily than the other. Use prompts like “Create an asymmetrical design with a strong focal point to the left” or “Asymmetric layout with a dynamic diagonal flow.” The AI can generate designs that follow this concept, and then you can refine them further in Photoshop.
In Photoshop: You can further manipulate AI-generated images by using guidelines for symmetry or adjusting off-center focal points. Use the rule of thirds grid in Photoshop to adjust elements that you import from AI and make sure the main visual elements are aligned with the right balance, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical.
3. Color Palettes and Symmetry in One
Combining color theory, symmetry, and AI tools can be powerful. For example, after generating an AI image, you could extract the dominant color palette using Photoshop's color picker. This palette can then be used as a guide for creating a harmonious, symmetrical composition. You can use AI to suggest the mood of a piece and then execute it with Photoshop by adjusting:
Symmetry: Place objects or elements symmetrically, using the rule of thirds or other guides to structure the piece.
Color balance: Use the palette generated to maintain color harmony across the composition.
You could even ask the AI to generate a design that’s not just visually appealing but also based on the rules of symmetry and color harmony, like “Create a balanced design with complementary colors in the center and subtle asymmetry around the edges.”
4. Using AI for Brainstorming and Rapid Prototyping
Another great way to use AI is for rapid ideation. If you’re designing a project with multiple options (like color palettes or composition layouts), AI can help generate various prototypes quickly. You can feed the AI specific prompts to see how different ideas play out:
“Generate a balanced, symmetrical abstract painting with blue and gold tones.”
“Create an asymmetrical pattern using shades of green and orange with a heavy focal point on the left.”
After generating these images, you can analyze them and adjust them based on your design goals in Photoshop.
Example Workflow (Week 3 - Color Dissonance + Symmetry/AI):
Week Goal: Students will learn how to manipulate AI-generated images to create dynamic designs that feature color dissonance and either symmetry or asymmetry, using Photoshop to adjust and refine them.
Assignment Breakdown:
AI-Generated Image: Use MidJourney or Firefly to generate an image with deliberate color dissonance. Focus on selecting colors that visually clash or create tension (e.g., complementary colors or clashing contrasts).
Color Adjustments: In Photoshop, apply color tweaks, adjust the saturation or brightness, and test complementary or split-complementary color schemes to see how the dissonance changes.
Symmetry/Asymmetry: Apply symmetry or asymmetry to your composition, using Photoshop’s grid tools or symmetry features. For asymmetry, try creating an off-center focal point that leads the viewer’s eye.
Final Composition: Refine the layout, adjusting the color balance and ensuring that the design works within the symmetrical or asymmetrical framework. Use the rule of thirds to place the most important visual elements at key focal points in the design.
This would allow students to fully explore the interplay of AI, design principles, and Photoshop tools, giving them a comprehensive experience in both traditional design methods and innovative digital techniques.
What do you think of this approach? Would you like to expand on any specific week or tool within the process?
4o mini
You said:
I think it's good. However, I think you overestimate the ability of AI to understand some of these prompts. I've asked AI to generate compositions that utilize the rule of thirds, and it just does not understand the idea of the rule of thirds, and it's unable to find the rule of thirds in the composition and place a focal point on it. The same thing holds true with symmetry and asymmetry. I also find that, at least with mid-journey, that it over-complicates things. I've asked numerous times for it to create a simple still-life composition with just a few objects, and it proceeds to give me a very baroque kind of interpretation of that, with a lot of detail and overly-designed kinds of presentations.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
You're absolutely right—AI, particularly tools like MidJourney, still struggles with the subtleties of some design principles like the rule of thirds, symmetry, and asymmetry in a way that is consistent with what a human designer might intend. AI-generated images can often become overly complicated, as you've noticed, especially when it interprets prompts in ways that don't align with your vision for simplicity or structure.
Given this, here's an updated approach to using AI tools while considering these limitations:
1. Simplification and Control
Instead of asking the AI to generate compositions with specific principles like the rule of thirds or symmetry, you could focus more on abstract concepts or raw materials that you can later refine in Photoshop. For example:
Focus on Color and Mood: Instead of directing AI to generate a simple still-life or composition using the rule of thirds, give prompts like “create a minimalist still-life with warm tones” or “generate a simple color palette with basic shapes.” This will give you more control over the complexity of the generated image.
Emphasize Color and Texture: You can prompt AI to focus on color contrasts or textures, asking for simpler shapes or fewer elements, which will allow you to add the composition and structure in Photoshop.
2. Post-Processing in Photoshop
After generating an image, you can use Photoshop to add symmetry, asymmetry, or the rule of thirds. Here’s a strategy:
Symmetry/Asymmetry: Use Photoshop’s flip tools (Horizontal/Vertical flip) to create symmetry, or manually adjust elements to create intentional asymmetry. If the AI-generated image is cluttered, you can isolate parts of it and simplify the composition yourself.
Rule of Thirds: In Photoshop, overlay the rule of thirds grid to position the focal points or key elements. While AI might not hit this perfectly, you can always use the generated content and arrange it based on your knowledge of composition.
3. AI as a Starting Point for Inspiration
Treat AI as a brainstorming tool rather than a final solution. You can ask AI to generate multiple variations of a simple concept—like a color palette or an arrangement of basic objects—without worrying too much about how it handles composition. Once you have the raw materials, refine them manually in Photoshop.
For example, you might ask AI for abstract shapes or texture patterns in a certain color palette and then use Photoshop to create a clean, minimalist composition around those elements. This way, AI is helping you get ideas and raw visuals but leaving you in control of structure and final presentation.
4. Fine-Tuning and Customization
With MidJourney or Firefly, after generating the image, use Photoshop to simplify the details. AI often adds excess elements or fine details, especially when it interprets prompts with more ambiguity. You can remove unnecessary objects or simplify complex textures to create a cleaner design that suits your intentions.
If the AI gives you a "baroque" or overly detailed result, focus on using the crop tool in Photoshop to isolate the simpler parts of the image that you want to focus on. You can also blur or mask out certain areas to de-emphasize unnecessary complexity.
5. Creating Color Palettes in Photoshop
Instead of relying on AI for perfect color schemes, generate the base palette with AI (e.g., “create a cool-toned palette with blues and greens”) and then refine and test it in Photoshop. You can experiment with adding gradients or adjusting hue and saturation to fine-tune the color application for your design.
Revised Example Workflow:
Week 3 (Updated) – Color Dissonance, Symmetry, and Composition Using AI:
AI Task: Have students use MidJourney or Firefly to generate simplified color studies (without too many objects or detailed compositions), like “create a monochromatic image using blue and green” or “generate an abstract geometric shape with warm-toned colors.” This ensures a controlled output that students can manage.
Photoshop Task: Import the image and manipulate it using the rule of thirds grid or symmetry tools in Photoshop. For color dissonance, students can adjust color balance, use complementary colors, or experiment with contrast in Photoshop to emphasize tension between colors.
Assignment: Students can simplify the composition in Photoshop by removing excess details, isolating shapes, and focusing on balance or asymmetry. They could experiment with flipping or rotating their composition to create a more dynamic asymmetry if needed.
Key Takeaway:
AI tools like MidJourney and Firefly can serve as starting points or creative helpers, but the real design work—especially when it comes to composition, symmetry, and color theory—will still need to be refined manually in Photoshop. This hybrid approach will give students more control and flexibility over their designs while still leveraging the power of AI for quick ideation.
What do you think of this adjusted approach? Would you like to refine it further?
4o mini
You said:
What is the tool in Photoshop where you can select an object, cut it, and the background is replaced, generated through AI? Is it the background replacement tool and how do you use it?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
In Photoshop, the tool you're referring to is "Generative Fill", which is part of the "Content-Aware Fill" feature, enhanced with AI. It allows you to select an object, cut it out, and replace the background with content generated by AI, seamlessly filling in the removed area based on the surrounding context.
Here's how to use it:
Select the Object:
Use the Quick Selection Tool (W) or the Lasso Tool (L) to select the object or area you want to remove or replace. Make sure your selection is precise.
Activate Content-Aware Fill:
Once your object is selected, go to Edit > Fill and in the dropdown menu, choose Content-Aware. Photoshop will try to automatically fill in the selected area based on the surrounding pixels.
Use Generative Fill (AI Tool):
If you're using the more advanced AI-powered features (available in newer versions of Photoshop with AI integration), you can go to the Fill options bar and choose Generative Fill. This will prompt Photoshop to analyze the surrounding context and generate a new background that matches the scene, even if it’s an entirely new background based on the area you selected.
Refining the Background:
After the AI has generated the fill, Photoshop will present a few options. You can preview the generated backgrounds, and if necessary, adjust the Sampling Area or change the settings to guide Photoshop in generating a more suitable result.
You can also refine the generated background by using the Clone Stamp Tool or Healing Brush Tool if necessary to touch up any areas where the fill might not be perfect.
Final Adjustments:
After the background is replaced, you may need to use tools like the Brush Tool or Eraser Tool to clean up any rough edges around your subject or to fine-tune the composition.
The AI-powered Generative Fill tool in newer versions of Photoshop allows for greater flexibility, making background replacement easier and faster by generating realistic fills based on the context of the image.
Let me know if you want more details on a specific step or if you'd like guidance on another feature!
