Daily Generations: Iconic AI

Created with: DALL-E 3

Can I use AI to create icons and UI elements?

Absolutely! However, as always there’s conditions.

I created the icon selection above in DALL-E 3 in about the third of the time it would take me to draw them by hand. Initially the plan was for them to be placeholders for the website project I was working on, then to replace them after concept review and approval. However, they looked so good once they were on the page I decided they could stand as final art.

Obviously because these were made in DALL-E 3 they’re pixel based raster files with no transparency layer. So for many situations like UI elements, native apps, and anything where you need pixel perfect assets DALL-E is an inappropriate tool for the job. For teams where this is a constant requirement the only benefit you will get is concept images and a friendly voice to bounce your ideas off of.

Adobe Firefly can create generative vector graphics, and in an upcoming article looking at its benefits I intend to discuss its potential for creating icons and interface assets. So, stay tuned.