What's the Buzz? Better AI Answers Start with Better IRL prompts

What to know about how creative agencies are using AI tools to enhance their work, and pitfalls to avoid when you hire an agency to support your organization.

We’ve been exploring AI tools for content creation all month—and this week, we’re turning our attention to the visual side of things. Tools like Canva AI, DALL-E, Adobe Firefly, and Midjourney are making it easier (and faster) to generate graphics. But how good are they really? Here’s what we’ve learned from hands-on use. Where AI Graphic Tools Work If you need a fast visual to support a social post, a blog graphic, or a simple newsletter header, AI can be a real time-saver. It’s especially helpful when: You want to brainstorm layout or color ideas You need a basic visual to test engagement You’re creating very simple graphics (1-2 words of text, bold shapes, or conceptual images) We’ve had success with: Generating basic image backgrounds Creating mockups for early-stage concepts Producing simple Instagram and Facebook visuals Where They Fall Short But here’s the catch: AI isn’t quite ready to replace a designer. We’ve run into real issues with: Text rendering : Anything with more than a word or two on free platforms gets jumbled; paid platforms do better On-brand design : Logos, fonts, and brand assets don’t integrate well Specificity : AI’s ability to respond to prompts is limited; our idea of a blue circle on a red square, then, is not necessarily AI’s idea, and we can only get so close to a match Polish : AI visuals often look . . . fine, but not final File formatting : Limited design file options, limited sizing options, no layers When we need to go beyond the basics, our graphic designer still has to clean things up. We have that option as a design agency. Most small teams don’t have the tools (or time) to do this kind of work. AI Can’t Do Real Branding for You We hear from new business owners that they would like to use AI to create a logo. However, AI cannot build a true brand identity. You may get an image that looks logo-ish, but that’s not a professional brand. A proper logo package includes: Color, black & white, and reverse versions Horizontal, vertical, and stacked layouts With tagline and without Files for print and digital use Separate elements for design use (like icons or graphic flourishes) Style guide with color codes, fonts, usage instructions Plus the expertise that goes into designing a brand that accurately reflects an organization and effectively communicates its message. Even for print pieces—brochures, event signage, ads—AI just isn’t equipped to handle layout, bleed margins, resolution standards, exporting the right file formats, or creating a consistent look and feel across all of an organization’s assets. On A Related Note: Photography and Videography AI has made real strides in helping creators edit and enhance photo and video content. We’ve used AI ourselves to clean up backgrounds, brighten faces, and even fix a hairstyle that got wind-blown during an outdoor shoot. These tools are particularly handy for minor polishing like: Correcting lighting Removing distractions Making small retouching edits That said, like graphic design, photography is about more than just technical adjustments. It’s about timing, light, mood, and storytelling. AI can tidy things up, but it can’t replace a professional photographer’s trained eye or intuition. The same is true for video. AI video tools are evolving quickly, especially in areas like: Captioning Trimming and transcribing Creating short social-ready clips from long recordings Some tools even generate full video from a text prompt—but the results are still generic and lack emotional impact. If you’re creating TikToks or fast-paced reels, AI can be useful in post-production. But for brand stories, interviews, or events? You’ll still want a human behind the lens to frame, direct, and edit with intention. Finally, AI and Copyright: What You Need to Know One question we hear often is : Can I copyright my AI-generated graphics? Here’s the short answer : No. AI tools like DALL-E and Adobe Firefly let you use images freely, even for commercial purposes. You can brand them, edit them, and include them in your designs. But legally, fully AI-generated images typically can’t be copyrighted under U.S. or EU law because there’s no human author. ✅ You can copyright original works that include or significantly modify AI-generated graphics. 🚫 You cannot claim exclusive rights to an image produced purely by AI or stop others from generating similar results. Bottom line : If you need visuals you can protect or license exclusively, work with a designer—or use AI only as a starting point, not the finished product. Our Verdict AI-generated graphics are great idea starters. They can help you move faster and communicate a concept when you’re on a deadline. But when it comes to quality, consistency, and brand integrity—you still need a designer or a design agency. If you’re a small business, nonprofit, or mission-driven agency, we recommend: Use AI for inspiration, not execution Keep AI graphics minimal and simple Have a designer refine and finalize whenever possible Want Help With That? We are here to help you: Develop a real brand identity Create a social media template system Use AI effectively without sacrificing quality See You Next Week! Every week in our What’s the Buzz blog and newsletter series, we share one quick tip that helps you get sharper, faster, and stronger in your communication work. This month is all about AI. Check back next week for our final AI marketing win—or sign up to get it by email . See you then!

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