Automating Graphic Design with Large Multimodal Models

Core Concepts

Graphist, a large multimodal model, can efficiently generate graphic compositions from unordered design elements by considering both their spatial arrangement and layer sequencing.

Abstract

The paper introduces a new task called Hierarchical Layout Generation (HLG), which aims to create visually appealing graphic compositions from unordered sets of design elements. This is an advancement over the traditional Graphic Layout Generation (GLG) task, which requires a predefined order of layers, limiting the creative potential and increasing user workload.
To tackle the HLG task, the authors present Graphist, the first layout generation model based on large multimodal models (LMMs). Graphist can efficiently reframe the HLG as a sequence generation problem, utilizing RGB-A images as input and outputting a JSON draft protocol indicating the coordinates, size, and order of each element.
The authors develop multiple evaluation metrics for HLG, including Inverse Order Pair Ratio (IOPR) and GPT-4V Eval. Graphist outperforms prior arts and establishes a strong baseline for this field. The paper also includes ablation studies and real-world evaluations, demonstrating Graphist's versatility and effectiveness in generating high-quality graphic compositions.

Stats

Graphic design fundamentally serves as a form of visual communication, involving the creation and combination of symbols, images, and text to express certain ideas or messages.
Establishing the appropriate ordering of layers is a design cornerstone that, if mismanaged, can fracture the visual hierarchy, leading to disarray in the intended message delivery.
Requiring users to prescribe an accurate layer sequence prior to layout not only burdens them with foresight and planning but also stifles layout algorithms, restricting their capacity to transcend such confines in the pursuit of innovative and aesthetically superior outcomes.

Quotes

"Graphic design fundamentally serves as a form of visual communication. It involves the creation and combination of symbols, images, and text to express certain ideas or messages."
"Establishing the appropriate ordering of layers is a design cornerstone that, if mismanaged, can fracture the visual hierarchy, leading to disarray in the intended message delivery."
"Requiring users to prescribe an accurate layer sequence prior to layout not only burdens them with foresight and planning but also stifles layout algorithms, restricting their capacity to transcend such confines in the pursuit of innovative and aesthetically superior outcomes."

Key Insights Distilled From

Graphic Design with Large Multimodal Model

by Yutao Cheng,... at arxiv.org 04-23-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.14368.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can Graphist be further improved to better align with human aesthetic preferences and design intent?

Graphist can be enhanced by incorporating more advanced design principles and aesthetic rules into its training process. By integrating a broader range of design styles, color theories, and composition techniques, Graphist can better understand and replicate human aesthetic preferences. Additionally, implementing user feedback mechanisms and iterative design processes can help refine the model's output to align more closely with individual design intents. Furthermore, incorporating user customization options and style transfer techniques can allow users to fine-tune the generated designs to better suit their specific preferences.

What are the potential negative consequences of more intelligent graphic design systems, such as the generation of homogeneous design results or the environmental impact of model training?

One potential negative consequence of more intelligent graphic design systems is the generation of homogeneous design results. As these systems learn from existing design trends and patterns, there is a risk of producing designs that lack originality and diversity, leading to a saturation of similar-looking graphics. This can stifle creativity and limit the variety of design outputs in the industry.
Another concern is the environmental impact of model training. Training large multimodal models like Graphist requires significant computational resources, leading to high energy consumption and carbon emissions. The carbon footprint of training these models can contribute to environmental issues, especially if not offset by sustainable practices or energy-efficient training methods.

How can the HLG task be extended to incorporate additional modalities, such as audio or animation, to create more dynamic and interactive graphic compositions?

To extend the HLG task to incorporate additional modalities like audio or animation, Graphist can be adapted to process and integrate these elements into the graphic compositions. By incorporating audio inputs, Graphist can generate visual layouts that synchronize with sound elements, creating interactive and immersive designs. Similarly, integrating animation features can allow Graphist to generate dynamic and engaging graphic compositions that include moving elements and transitions.
Furthermore, Graphist can be trained on multimodal datasets that include audio-visual or animation-visual pairs to learn the relationships between different modalities. By expanding the input data to include diverse modalities, Graphist can generate more interactive and engaging graphic designs that cater to a wider range of creative possibilities.