The rise of AI tools is reshaping the design landscape, demanding that designers produce more graphics, faster. Managers are increasingly tasked with boosting efficiency using generative AI, making it crucial for designers to find workflows that streamline their processes. This article dives into a comparison between two popular AI illustration tools: Midjourney and Recraft.ai, focusing on their capabilities in creating vector graphics suitable for various applications like print, web, and motion design.
The goal is to produce a series of illustrations using a generative AI tool, ensuring the final output is in vector format (.svg). This allows for scalability and adaptability across different media. While Midjourney has been a go-to for many, Recraft.ai emerges as a compelling alternative with its direct-to-vector output.
Midjourney excels at generating visually stunning illustrations. Its strength lies in its ability to create more interesting and nuanced images compared to some other AI tools. The typical workflow involves prompting Midjourney to create a 'vector style' image. However, the output is a .png file, requiring conversion to a vector format using tools like Vectorizer.ai.
/imagine command with specific parameters like "vector style."--sref to maintain consistent styling across multiple images.{} to generate multiple variations of an image simultaneously.While Midjourney delivers exceptional results, the conversion process can be time-consuming. The resulting .svg files often require significant cleanup due to the complexity of the generated vector paths.
Recraft.ai distinguishes itself by directly generating both raster and vector images from text prompts. It offers pre-defined styles, adjustable detail levels, and the option to specify a color palette or generate a style from an uploaded image. Although it may not match Midjourney's sheer power, its direct-to-vector output streamlines the workflow.
Recraft.ai is notably faster but may produce results leaning towards a more generic, clip-art aesthetic compared to Midjourney's richer outputs.
To illustrate the differences, consider the task of creating a series of animal illustrations (fox, deer, buffalo, eagle, heron, bear, mountain lion) with a consistent style.
--sref) for subsequent animal prompts.While Midjourney produced more visually appealing images, the vector files required more cleanup in Illustrator. Recraft.ai delivered simpler, more manageable vector files faster, though with a less distinctive style.
Both Midjourney and Recraft.ai offer valuable tools for designers looking to incorporate AI into their illustration workflows. The choice depends on the specific project requirements:
Ultimately, designers should experiment with both tools to determine which best fits their individual style and project needs. As AI technology continues to evolve, these tools promise to further transform and enhance the creative process.
Consider exploring other AI-powered design tools, such as RunwayML, which offers a range of capabilities beyond image generation. You might also find value in combining these AI workflows with traditional design software like Adobe Illustrator for maximum creative control.
