TL;DR:
- Microsoft Designer, an AI-powered design tool, is now in public preview with expanded features.
- It is a web app similar to Canva, generating designs for presentations, posters, digital postcards, and more.
- It utilizes user-created content and OpenAI’s text-to-image AI, DALL-E 2, for design ideation.
- The tool offers customization options through drop-downs and text boxes.
- New features include generating written captions and hashtags for social media and creating animated visuals.
- Future updates will include object placement and background editing options.
- During the preview period, Designer is free and accessible through the website and Microsoft Edge.
- Once officially launched, it will be included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions with some functionality available for non-subscribers.
- Users have “full” usage rights to commercialize the images created by the Designer.
- Legal questions surrounding AI-powered image-generation systems remain unresolved.
Main AI News:
Microsoft Designer, an innovative AI-driven design tool, has entered the public preview phase, boasting an array of enhanced features. Unveiled in October, this web application resembles Canva in its functionality, empowering users to effortlessly generate designs for presentations, posters, digital postcards, invitations, graphics, and more, which can be shared across various social media platforms and channels. The tool harnesses user-created content and leverages DALL-E 2, OpenAI’s remarkable text-to-image AI, to facilitate the process of ideating designs. In addition, it incorporates drop-down menus and text boxes to offer users further customization and personalization options.
Bryan Rognier, General Manager at Microsoft’s 365 Consumer division, enthusiastically stated in a blog post that the AI models underpinning Designer have consistently improved since their introduction in October. He further emphasized the team’s dedication to integrating these powerful capabilities into the Designer canvas, delivering an even more gratifying experience while ensuring users retain full control.
Notably, Designer now boasts the ability to generate written captions and hashtags tailored for social media posts, presenting users with several suggestions to choose from. Furthermore, it can create animated visuals replete with captivating backgrounds and seamless text transitions, all accomplished through the power of AI.
Microsoft has exciting plans to augment Designer with additional editing features in the near future. One such feature will allow users to precisely position objects within a graphic and automatically complete the remainder of the picture. Moreover, forthcoming options like “erase” and “replace background” will empower users to effortlessly remove unintended objects, people, or backdrops from their graphics.
During the preview phase, Microsoft made Designer available to users at no cost. Interested individuals can access it through the dedicated Designer website or within Microsoft’s Edge browser via the sidebar. Once the Designer app officially launches, it will be included in Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions, offering certain functionalities free of charge for non-subscribers. Although Microsoft did not provide specific details, it is evident that they are committed to striking a balance between value for subscribers and accessibility for non-subscribers.
In response to recent legal concerns surrounding AI-powered image-generation systems, Microsoft has reassured users that they will have “full” usage rights to commercialize the images they create using Designer and Image Creator. However, it remains uncertain whether these usage rights may be subject to change in the future, especially considering the ongoing legal disputes involving OpenAI and other startups involved in the commercialization of generative AI tools.
Conlcusion:
The introduction of Microsoft Designer in the market signifies a significant development in the realm of AI-powered design tools. With its expanded features and capabilities, Microsoft Designer offers a compelling alternative to existing solutions, such as Canva. The incorporation of user-created content and the utilization of advanced AI algorithms pave the way for more efficient and personalized design processes.
The ability to generate written captions, hashtags, and animated visuals further enhances its appeal, catering to the growing demands of social media-driven marketing strategies. As Microsoft continues to refine and expand Designer’s functionalities, it is poised to attract a broader user base and potentially disrupt the design tool market. However, legal considerations surrounding AI-generated content remain an ongoing concern that may shape the future landscape of this market.
