AI Versus ‘Analogue’ Design

It’s interesting to note a growing backlash against the use of AI, most clearly on social media.

Eater published a piece in July, ‘In the Age of AI, the Analog Restaurant Feels Radical’ on how New York restaurants are shifting from using AI-made design (commonplace, indicative of phoning it in, inauthentic) to one-off, handmade communications.

Case in point - Manhattan restaurant Sommsi’s logo comes in the form of a crocheted table cloth design.

Anecdotally, I’m also seeing some local businesses getting pasted for and backtracking on using AI for design.

In some cases either because:

a) Gen AI is so widespread on different tools & platforms, and being pushed so heavily, people don’t even realise they’re using it.

Or b) they’re actually not even using AI at all, but stock or template designs look AI-like - all of which end up in the same perceived ‘inauthentic’ bucket.

How could the ‘handmade’ alternative to generative slop apply in other areas? Especially if you're an ethical business or non-profit, whose audience (to be frank) probably hate AI and everything it stands for?

(photo credit: private collection, with pipe cleaner motif)