Why Businesses Shouldn't Use AI for Their Brand

Why Businesses Shouldn't Use AI Characters, Art, Animation or Graphic Design for Their Brand?

As the capabilities of AI art and animation tools grow, businesses may be tempted to incorporate these technologies into their branding strategies. However, relying on AI-generated designs can backfire and harm your brand in the long run.

We have already seen that the backlash from the community has become quite relevant. Businesses that have used AI to promote their brand in one way or the other, has to now defend themselves from the community backlash. From the small business owners that is getting backlash that can potentially get them closed down, to big corporations that is losing customers of the hundreds. - Read on Lifewire what they have to say about the AI backlash.

Here’s why it is not a good idea to associate your brand with AI:

Image 1: The Willy Wonka disaster. In 2024 Ai generated art was created to sell the idea that there would be an unforgettable Willy Wonka experience, only to realize by visitors it was a complete scam. Willy Wonka, more like sad warehouse with limited candies and a drunk Oompa Loompa.

Perception of Being Uncaring or Cheap

Brands are built on trust, authenticity, and connection. Using AI-generated characters, art or visual ads can give the impression that your business prioritizes cost-saving over quality. It signals to your audience that you may not care enough to invest in custom designs or meaningful creative processes.

We are currently seeing the ramifications of businesses that are creating product images with AI, and it is resulting in their products not selling. People do not want to buy things that doesn't seem authentic.

Lack of Personal Connection

Authenticity resonates with audiences. When designs are crafted by human artists or designers, they come with a story, intention, and a unique touch that builds emotional connections. AI lacks this personal element, making it difficult for your audience to feel engaged or connected to your brand.

Inconsistency in Design for Future Use

One of the key challenges with AI is its inability to replicate designs consistently over time. If your brand relies on a specific character or visual identity, generating future content that aligns seamlessly with your original design can be challenging, leading to a disjointed brand image.

Imagine you have created a logo or some visual design, and you are asked by your boss to make changes to it? How are you going to do that? Only solution is to power up Photoshop and learn editing really quickly, you are going to sit for a hot minute.

Image 2: Queensland Symphony Orchestra wanted to level up their paid social posts. Save to say it didn't scream luxury. Viewers were more fixated on the fingers than buying tickets.

Ethical Concerns: AI Steals from Artists

Many AI tools are trained using existing artworks and designs without the consent of the original creators. This raises ethical questions about intellectual property and can tarnish your brand's reputation. Associating your business with such practices may alienate both your audience and professional artists, who value originality and fairness.

Intellectual property lawyers across the globe seems to have a better handle on this topic as well, and it is highly plausible that they can win cases against AI companies using the work of creators without their consent. I for one, do not want my business to be associated with that drama.

Besides the concerns of artworks being stolen. Businesses are adapting this idea that it will increase the workflow process of their employees, which they are actually just adding to their existing workload and overworking them. This topic have been researched by Upwork. Read Here

Commercial Use Restrictions

Most publicly available AI-generation platforms come with restrictive licenses, often prohibiting commercial use. Using such content without fully understanding these limitations can lead to legal complications, damaging your business’s credibility and financial stability.

What are the better alternatives: Collaborate with artists and designers

Investing in human-created designs shows that your business values creativity, authenticity, and originality. Working with skilled artists and designers ensures that your brand visuals are tailored specifically to your message and audience, fostering long-term loyalty and trust.

In a world driven by meaningful connections, your brand deserves more than a generic AI creation. Show your audience that you care—because it’s the human touch that makes all the difference.

AI Complications in Advertising: Coca-Cola's 2024 Holiday Misstep

AI Complications in Advertising: Coca-Cola's 2024 Holiday Misstep

2024 AI generated ad campaign, re-imagined from the 1995 Coca-Cola ad

In December 2024, Coca-Cola unveiled a series of AI-generated holiday advertisements, aiming to blend tradition with cutting-edge technology. However, the campaign faced significant backlash, highlighting the challenges and limitations of relying solely on artificial intelligence for creative endeavors.

Inconsistencies and Uncanny Visuals

According to the New York Post, despite collaborating with leading AI companies, the advertisements were criticized for their inconsistent and incoherent animations. Viewers described the visuals as "creepy," "ugly," and a "dystopian nightmare," noting that the ads lacked the warmth and charm typically associated with Coca-Cola's holiday campaigns.

As a creative in the industry, that focuses on helping businesses with their branding by incorporating more art and animation in it... I can't help but to laugh at this poorly done Coca-Cola campaign. I might be bias, but look at it this way.

They hired three AI studios (Secret Level, Silverside AI and Wild Card) which worked to create these ads, using the generative AI models Leonardo, Luma and Runway, with a new model, Kling, brought in near the end of production. And this was the final result, having had to generate hundreds of variations which mostly only a few where useable. You would notice that each timeframe doesn't run more than a second, which make the ad rushed and inconsistent.

Scene from the Ai campaign. This bottle is so large I think it was meant for a giant.

Missed Opportunities for Authentic Connection

By opting for AI-generated content, Coca-Cola missed the chance to engage professional animators, designers, and voice artists who could have infused the campaign with genuine creativity and storytelling. Traditional methods have historically enabled the brand to connect deeply with audiences, evoking nostalgia and holiday spirit.

Ethical and Brand Reputation Concerns

The use of AI in creative processes also raises ethical questions, particularly regarding the potential displacement of human artists and the authenticity of the content produced. Critics argue that such approaches can lead to a loss of artistic integrity, ultimately damaging brand reputation.

Which is such an unfortunate reality. It is no secret that corporations and the public have a tendency to undervalue artists and other creators, considering that these creative minds have had astounding cultural, political and social impacts throughout decades of history.

However, for the time being, we can be assured as creatives, that AI is not as great as everyone makes it out to be. And if a business, a brand truly wants to connect with their audience, they would consider getting professional creators that can imagine, dream, create and draw perfect hands.

Have a read about what Forbes commented around the Coca-Cola AI generative ad.

What do we take away from this situation?

Coca-Cola's 2024 holiday campaign serves as a cautionary tale for businesses considering AI-generated content. While technology offers innovative possibilities, it cannot replace the human touch that brings authenticity, consistency, and emotional resonance to brand storytelling. Investing in professional creatives not only ensures higher quality outcomes but also fosters meaningful connections with audiences.

The original 1995 Coca-Cola Ad Campaign

Why Digital Art is an Incredible Opportunity for Businesses to Grow Their Brand?

Why is digital art an incredible opportunity for businesses to grow their brand

In the digital age, we as business owners are constantly seeking innovative ways to stand out. Digital art—whether it’s illustration, stylized visuals, character design, or animation—has emerged as a powerful tool to elevate brand identity and captivate audiences. Here's why investing in digital art is a game-changing opportunity for your business:

1. Boosts Brand Awareness

Unique and eye-catching visuals are essential for capturing attention in today’s crowded marketplace. Digital art allows businesses to create distinctive designs that stand out across social media, websites, and advertisements. A well-crafted visual identity, enhanced by digital art, helps audiences instantly recognize and remember your brand.

I'll be using Asus as an example for this post. However there are so many brands like M&M, Monster and Mortein that have been using art for their marketing and awareness.

Image 1: Vivobook 13 Slate OLED artist edition

Image 1: Asus celebrated the release of their Vivobook 13 Slate OLED back in 2022, by collaborating with the amazing world renowned artists Philip Colbert and Steven Harrington, the Artist Editions feature themed hardware, exclusive accessories, and unique packaging—all designed in collaboration with the creators themselves.

2. Enables Creative Marketing Tactics

Digital art opens up endless possibilities for innovative campaigns. Businesses can use stylized illustrations or animations in interactive ads, gamified experiences, or social media challenges. These creative approaches not only grab attention but also encourage audience participation, fostering deeper engagement with your brand.

3. Attracts a Broader Audience

Creativity resonates with people. By using digital art to tell your brand’s story in a compelling way, you can appeal to a wider range of potential customers. A visually creative approach not only intrigues your existing audience but also draws in new customers who appreciate your originality and innovation.

Image 2: Asus ProArtist Awards 2023

In 2023 Asus released its latest powerhouse, the Asus ProArt. A series that was really specially made to give creators the devices they needed. We as artist, designers, animators loved these laptops and desktops for the power it has to make our creative process easy. With the release of these new devices, they ran a promotional competition. The Asus ProArtist Awards 2023, where artist of any kind could submit art to win a chance at amazing prices. This campaign ended up being very successful as it attracted huge audiences with this approach. You would have had artists raving about the competition and showing of the work they created.

4. Enhances Emotional Connection

Characters, animations, and stylized designs evoke emotions that help audiences connect with your brand on a deeper level. A memorable mascot or a beautifully illustrated campaign can communicate your values, mission, and personality in a way that words alone cannot.

5. Cost-Effective Versatility

Once created, digital assets can be reused and adapted across multiple platforms—social media, websites, merchandise, and more. This makes digital art a cost-effective investment that ensures your brand stays visually consistent while reaching diverse audiences.


Stand Out with Creativity

Incorporating digital art into your branding strategy shows that your business values innovation and storytelling. By embracing this creative medium, you can captivate your audience, strengthen your brand’s identity, and unlock new growth opportunities.

In a world where attention spans are short, digital art provides the spark your business needs to not only grow but thrive.