Analysis for Priority of Image-Generating AI Tools in the Graphic Design

The rapid advancement of image-generating AI technology has garnered attention as a creative tool in the design field. This study aims to analyze the priority of major image-generating AI tools—DALL·E, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion Online, and Firefly—in graphic design. Focusing on three areas of graphic design—identity design, poster design, and web design—the study conducted literature reviews and expert surveys to evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of each AI tool across different design process stages. The results indicate that DALL·E excelled in stage 2 (idea generation), while Midjourney performed better in stage 3 (design prototyping) and stage 4 (design selection and refinement). Furthermore, Firefly, while initially showing lower performance in prompt creation, demonstrated gradual improvement as the process progressed, yielding comparatively positive results in tasks involving reference-based design refinement. This study provides valuable guidance for designers in selecting appropriate AI tools for their work and is expected to serve as foundational research for effectively integrating AI technology into the design process.