EUREKA!
This project is the 5% that slipped in through the window, almost by chance, during a much more complex research process. To put things in context, that research outlines an analytical, philosophical, and intricate take on the definition of design—on how the paradigms we are still being taught (and continue to work within) are so outdated that they verge on discursive anachronism and the mere posture of what is politically, professionally, and academically acceptable.
I conducted deep experiments using a method I developed to add extra layers of meaning to a design piece—integrating conceptual construction into the usual creative workflow. I applied it firsthand, as a design professional, and within a creative team at an advertising agency. Then, on November 30, 2022, ChatGPT burst onto the scene.
Eureka!
THE—
LOGIC
The deduction I made is as follows:
→ ChatGPT is a model that constructs and learns through language.
→ ChatGPT is a type of Artificial Intelligence that solves problems.
→ Design is primarily considered as a solution to a problem.
→ ChatGPT processes language and generates responses in text format.
→ SVG is a vector image format that can be translated into plain text.
→ Considering plain text as a common language, it would be possible to ask ChatGPT to design something using text-based code and then translate it into vector image format in SVG.
THE—
THEME
Considering that the tool had only been "learning" for a few months and was designed to generate plausible discourse—though not necessarily true—I decided to experiment with something symbolically complex, something I had already worked on and had a solid knowledge base in. This way, I could avoid falling into the trap of misleading answers and rhetorical fallacies.
I set out to work alongside AI to design a Tarot deck that would encompass the 22 Major Arcana.
THE
WORK—
FLOW
In response to the initial request, "Can you design a card for the World arcana of the Tarot?", the AI replied, "Of course! Here is a card designed for the 'World' arcana of the Tarot [...]." The response included a detailed description of the symbolism of the specific arcana. Once that was resolved, you requested to translate it into an SVG format and provide the corresponding code for visualization. In response to this second request, the AI stated, "I'm sorry, as a language model, my ability is limited to generating text. I don't have the ability to create SVG images directly." The use of the word "directly" in its response led you to consider that, perhaps, if indirect parameters were given, it might be able to do it. You initially requested that it conceptualize the card for the World major arcana, then provide a descriptive visual conceptualization of that concept, and finally, translate it into an SVG format and provide the corresponding code. Thus, the workflow for the complete visual system was configured accordingly.
GOES—
COMES
—GOES
The process was arduous and involved trial and error in visualizing the conceptualizations. Many times, we had to repeat the process and guide the AI to avoid expressing aesthetic licenses on its own, correct confusing concepts or resolutions, and, above all, ensure it respected the established visual system and the indications regarding aesthetic decisions that were predefined throughout the process.
We worked through meticulous dialogue, arcana by arcana, establishing a specific visual system with simple lines for the conceptualization of each one. I strived to make sure it responded to each arcana, refining the representations through the "conversation" until I considered the system to be coherent and confirmed that all of them adhered to the same criteria in both conceptualization and representation.
RAW— ARCANA
Summary of the translation of the code to SVG in Figma, in its raw and unmodified form.
ELE—
MEN
TS
Once the 22 major arcana of the deck were conceptualized, I separately requested from the AI a visual subsystem for the basic elements (earth, water, air, fire). This was because, without being requested, the AI included this particular data of each arcana in some representations.
DE—
SIGN
The result of the material conceptualized and constructed "together" with ChatGPT was considered substantial raw material. It was taken to Figma, where symbolic concepts, visual system, line weights, typography, morphological constructions, and all the considerations that contribute to visual and discursive coherence in a design piece were adjusted. I then designed the complete deck of major arcana without the intervention of ChatGPT.
THE—
MINOR
ARCANA
The result was more than satisfactory, so it was decided to work in the same manner for the minor arcana: starting with a conceptualization with symbolic justification. However, this time it was understood that there would be four symbolic-visual subsystems: pentacles, cups, wands, and swords. At the same time, it was considered that within each suit, the minor arcana are divided into numbered cards (from 1 to 10) and court cards (page, knight, queen, king).
For the second instance of the minor arcana, the AI defined the following representation through symbolic association:
→ PENTACLES - Geometric figure of the square (stability),
→ CUPS - Geometric figure of the circle (emotions),
→ WANDS - Geometric figure of the rectangle (action),
→ SWORDS - Geometric figure of the triangle (sharpness, intellectuality).
To differentiate between the suits and the court cards, ChatGPT did not find a coherent system through the conceptualizations. Therefore, it was decided, independently and unilaterally, to use lines for the suits and complete figures for the court cards.