Integrating AI image generation into the designer's creative process for mascot creation

AI-generated image tools are an innovation that can significantly impact the design process by increasing productivity and generating a wide range of complex design exploration results. Although AI-generated image tools have many advantages and diverse features, research is still needed to assess the suitability of the images produced in the ideation process carried out by designers. The purpose of this study is to compare and assess the influence of the ideation process carried out by student designers in a mascot creation project with and without the use of AI-generated image tools. The method for this study is an experimental design by compares the ideation process using AI-generated images with the ideation process without using AI-gener-ated images. The design analysis of the final design was conducted by expert designers using a blind review technique. The results of this study do not yet show that the use of AI in the ideation process is superior to conventional methods, but it is known that AI-generated images tools can be a reference and a competent choice of ideation media to use. This research has impli-cations for the method of extracting ideas in the mascot design process and also provides evidence that the use of AI in the ideation process should not be feared or avoided.