How to Use ChatGPT for Design - 2026 - Ep. 56
- Rizza Mae Marvel
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
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This article is adapted from an episode of Intentional Branding where I talk through this topic in more detail.
AI tools like ChatGPT are everywhere right now and are here to stay. If you’re a designer and wondering if chatgpt is good for design, I'm going to flat out say yes! But it’s easy to wonder where they actually fit into your creative process. The truth is, they’re not a replacement for your creativity, but they can be an incredibly helpful assistant that can save you tons of time. In this post, I’m sharing four practical ways I use ChatGPT in my own design workflow to save time, spark ideas, and keep projects moving without losing the human touch that makes great design stand out.
1. Use ChatGPT to Create Custom Reference Images
I am not someone who can design from thin air I need a visual reference.
Before ChatGPT, that usually meant pulling photos from Google or scrolling through Pinterest to find inspiration. Now, I use ChatGPT to create images that are tailored to the exact direction I’m exploring.
Here’s how this looks in real life.
If I’m designing a logo that includes a mountain, I’ll upload files of an actual photo of a mountain, like the Mendenhall Glacier, and ask ChatGPT to turn it into a logo-style image. What it gives me is usually weird and definitely not client-ready. But that’s not the point.
What I get instead is a simplified version of the image. The shapes are broken down. The key elements stand out. I can see how the mountain might translate into a logo rather than a photograph.
From there, I can ask follow-up questions like:
Can you simplify this more?
Can you remove the sky?
Can you add trees?
It’s not perfect at keeping the exact same image when making edits, and I’m being honest about that. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. But I’m not using it as the final design anyway.
A great example of this was when I needed a mountain logo that felt cinematic. I didn’t want a straight-on, generic mountain. ChatGPT gave me a side-angle perspective that felt like you were moving through a channel toward the mountain. That wasn’t something my brain jumped to on its own, and it unlocked a direction I wouldn’t have explored otherwise.
Think of this as a custom reference generator. You’re pulling ideas, shapes, and perspectives, then recreating them in your own style.
2. Use ChatGPT to Speed Up Copy for Layout Design
This is one of the biggest time-savers in my design workflow.
Clients rarely give you copy in a neat Google Doc. Instead, it’s screenshots, PDFs, handwritten notes, or photos of text. Retyping all of that is time-consuming and honestly not the best use of your energy as a designer.
Now, I upload those images directly into ChatGPT and ask it to retype the content for me. I’ll say something like, “I’m creating a poster for this client. They gave me all their copy as an image. Can you retype it?”
I copy, paste, and move on with the layout.
I’ve also used this for handwritten notes that are hard to read. I’ll upload the image and ask ChatGPT to help decipher it. Most of the time, it’s surprisingly accurate and saves me from emailing the client for clarification.
Beyond retyping, I also use it to organize copy:
Alphabetizing lists of names
Numbering long bullet point lists
Cleaning up messy text so it’s easier to work with
All of this frees up mental space so I can focus on the design itself, not administrative tasks.
3. Use ChatGPT as a Design Brainstorming Buddy
Design doesn’t just appear. It comes from thinking, clarifying, and bouncing ideas around.
ChatGPT works really well as a brainstorming partner when you’re feeling stuck or need fresh perspective. I’ll ask questions like:
What could I add to this brand to bring more texture or dimension?
What types of assets would support this vibe?
What design elements align with this client’s goals?
You can also upload images and ask for feedback or ideas based on what’s already there.
Another way I use this is during the strategy phase. I’ll upload a client questionnaire and ask ChatGPT to interpret it. Sometimes I’ll even ask it to generate a logo concept based on the answers, not because I’ll use it, but because it helps me see patterns and directions.
The ideas themselves are usually pretty generic. That’s expected. The value is in keeping the creative momentum going so you’re not staring at a blank artboard.
4. Remember That AI Will Look Generic Without Human Input
This is the most important part.
AI pulls from the internet. By default, the output will look generic. That’s why I don’t recommend using AI-generated designs as-is unless generic is the goal.
The magic happens when you:
Pull bits and pieces
Interpret the results
Recreate them in your own style
I think of ChatGPT as the first draft or the rough sketch. I’ve had clients send me logo ideas straight from ChatGPT, and that’s fine. It helps clarify what they like and don’t like. Maybe we pull colors from it. Maybe we explore the overall vibe.
But the final design always comes from human decision-making.
Even with prompts, the real value isn’t in how clever the prompt is. It’s in how you interpret the output and turn it into something intentional, emotional, and aligned.
Recap: Key Takeaways
Use ChatGPT to create custom reference images that help you visualize logo and design ideas before building them yourself.
Speed up layout design by using ChatGPT to retype, organize, and clean up client copy from images or handwritten notes.
Treat ChatGPT like a brainstorming buddy to keep ideas flowing and help clarify creative direction.
Remember that AI is a starting point. Your creativity and judgment are what make the design unique.
If you’re a visual thinker, a multitasking creative, or someone who wants to work smarter without losing your personal style, ChatGPT can be a powerful tool in your design process. Just remember, it’s your helper, not your replacement.
Happy designing.
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