Consumer preferences are evolving rapidly, and brands are doing everything possible to keep up. It’s no surprise that design teams are overworked and brands are rushing to meet timelines. What's noteworthy is the emergence of AI design tools that empower design teams to not only accelerate the design phase of the product life cycle, but also push the boundaries of creativity beyond a brand's traditional scope. While this is promising, it's essential to note that AI design tools are not a one-size-fits-all solution. We've been collaborating with brands to strike a balance between harnessing the benefits of these tools and addressing the practical needs of their businesses and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned.

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The Power of AI Design Tools:

Brands we’ve worked with cite the following benefits to leveraging AI design tools:

• Shortened Ideation: Generate hundreds of design options instantly, based on brand guidelines, with tools such as Vizcom

         •    One brand even blended two sneaker images into a single, unique design

• Effortless Precision: Transform basic sketches into precise and consistent CAD models when fed into tools like Midjourney or Dall E

• Limitless Creativity: Unlock infinite design possibilities, igniting creativity while remaining free from personal biases

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Challenges in AI-Driven Design:

However, there are challenges that come with implementing AI design tools. The primary challenge is crafting the right prompts to ensure that designs genuinely resonate with consumers and align with current trends. This step is crucial to ensure that the end result is not just a product of AI, but a product designed with the consumer in mind.

Another challenge lies in cherry-picking the best designs from the vast pool created by AI. Although AI can churn out thousands of designs, the process of sifting through them to curate a relevant, profitable assortment can be both time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies.

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How MakerSights Partners with AI Design Tools

We focus on surrounding AI design tools with consumer data to improve accuracy and prevent decision fatigue. Our intuitive product insight platform and team of retail-expert researchers work with brands to uncover their target consumers’ preferences on everything from color, silhouettes, patterns and feature attributes. This data can then be used to craft a specific and targeted AI prompt, ensuring the design process goes from just being creative to being all about the consumer.

But we don't stop there. After your AI-generated designs take shape, MakerSights facilitates the optimization of your product line. We ensure that your assortment strikes the right balance of colors, styles, and designs - and when we say ‘right’, we mean right by your consumers, not an algorithm. We help you avoid cannibalization and, most importantly, we ensure that your products align with your target consumers' needs and preferences.

Navigating the AI landscape can be complex. We're here to help brands incorporate AI into their product life cycle, all while keeping designs grounded in real data and consumer insights. The result? Products that not only captivate consumers, but also drive brand success in an ever-evolving market. 

Want to learn more about how MakerSights and AI design tools can work together? Click “Book a Demo” and our team will reach out to share more.