"New Canvas": Addressing Blank Canvas Struggles in Graphic Design Education through Generative AI Integration

"New Canvas": Addressing Blank Canvas Struggles in Graphic Design Education through Generative AI Integration "New Canvas" investigates how integrating Generative AI tools within the ideation and moodboarding phases of undergraduate graphic design education can address "blank canvas struggles." The study aims to assess whether the use of Generative AI tools enhances productivity and improves the ideation process for students initiating design projects. Twenty undergraduate graphic design students will be randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group using Generative AI tools during ideation and a control group employing traditional methods. The experimental group will participate in a workshop on the effective use of Generative AI, followed by a task to create moodboards and initial design concepts. Data will be collected through surveys, observations, and analysis of creative artifacts such as screenshots and prompt histories. By examining the impact of Generative AI on overcoming initial creative barriers, this research aims to provide actionable insights for design educators. This study advocates for incorporating Generative AI tools into design curricula to enhance productivity and address common challenges in the ideation phase. By training students in generative AI techniques, we aim to foster innovative thinking and efficiency in creative tasks. Additionally, this paper outlines collaborative efforts to develop targeted educational resources and highlights preliminary findings that evaluate the influence of Generative AI on creative approaches and learning outcomes. The insights gained aim to inspire educators to reimagine graphic design pedagogy through the integration of emerging technologies.