We’ve all seen it: businesses using AI to create advertisements that look visually impressive but feel generic. While AI can be a powerful tool for developing brand assets, relying on it too heavily without human input can leave a design feeling like just another piece of AI slop.
For beer, wine, coffee, cider and other beverage brands design isn’t just about looking visually impressive on a screen. A tap handle needs to stand out in a crowded bar and be recognizable from a distance.
AI-generated designs can introduce soft edges, distorted lettering, and overly complicated details that look great in a digital image but don’t translate well to a physical product. AI also overuses the rule of three phrases that don’t add to the design. Small text and subtle details can become difficult to read when a customer is choosing a beer from across the bar.
In a competitive marketplace, consumers are looking for brands that feel authentic and distinctive. When a design looks like it was poorly designed with AI it can make a brand less memorable and even undermine consumer trust.
The best AI designs combine the creative possibilities of AI with human experience and practical design skills. Use an AI like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to explore concepts, generate inspiration, and experiment with visual styles. Then refine the design with clean lines, legible text, intentional details, and a clear focus on the brand. Oftentimes we take an AI-generated concept and recreate from the original logo or can artwork to create a design that is true to the branding.
At the end of the day, authentic branding comes from thoughtful design and attention to detail. Whether you’re creating a custom beer tap handle, advertising or a complete brand identity focusing on a clean authentic final product is paramount.
