The Intersection of AI and Graphic Design
The fusion of artificial intelligence and graphic design is changing how creatives work, offering new tools and challenges. Heer Mandalia, a graphic designer at NBCUniversal with over thirteen years of experience, shares insights on adapting to AI’s growing influence.
Heer’s creative path started at sixteen with photography using an iPhone 4 and a family camera. Her curiosity and adaptability helped her transition into graphic design, focusing on visual storytelling. Now, at NBCUniversal, she develops advertising campaigns for brands like BMW, Uber Eats, Audible, and Target, blending creativity with business goals in a digital environment.
Tips for Graphic Designers
Embrace AI as a Collaborative Partner, Not a Replacement
AI can handle repetitive tasks such as resizing, generating design variations, or initial concept ideas. This allows designers to focus on the emotional and conceptual aspects of their work. Heer suggests using AI tools to prototype or create color palettes quickly, then applying your own judgment to refine the results.
Think of AI as a creative assistant that speeds up workflows but depends on your unique vision and critical thinking to make designs truly impactful. Stay informed about AI design tools but trust your instincts and treat AI as a resource you control.
Prioritize Storytelling and Authenticity
While AI can produce vast amounts of content, it lacks cultural insight, personal experience, and emotional intelligence. Authentic storytelling remains the strongest asset designers have to connect brands with audiences.
Heer emphasizes incorporating narrative layers rooted in cultural background and empathy. This approach helps work stand out in a digital space filled with AI-generated content. Deep research and genuine engagement with client stories ensure designs feel meaningful and resonate with viewers.
Keep Experimenting and Learning
Heer’s career—from agency roles to NBCUniversal—illustrates continuous growth fueled by curiosity. In an AI-driven environment, ongoing learning and experimentation are vital.
She recommends pursuing personal projects and exploring new tools. Heer’s creative hobbies, like thrifting art and photography, feed her professional work and encourage innovation. Embracing lifelong learning keeps skills fresh and relevant as AI tools evolve.
Combine Data-Driven Insights with Creative Intuition
One advantage of AI in advertising is analyzing large datasets and user behavior to target content effectively. Heer highlights that blending these insights with creative intuition leads to stronger campaigns.
At NBCUniversal, data shapes campaign strategies for Peacock’s audience, but storytelling and visual tone must emotionally connect with viewers. Designers should familiarize themselves with basic data analytics and client metrics to merge this knowledge with their artistic decisions.
About Heer Mandalia
Heer Mandalia is a graphic designer specializing in branding, digital design, and print media, with over thirteen years of creative experience. Originating from India, her interest in photography began at sixteen, sparking a lifelong passion for visual storytelling.
Her career includes roles at agencies like KCSA and MOD, where she contributed to rebranding and communications projects. Since June 2024, Heer has worked at NBCUniversal, focusing on advertising for Peacock and clients such as BMW, Uber Eats, Audible, DoorDash, Dunkin’, Target, IKEA, American Express, and Ford.
Beyond design execution, she supports strategic initiatives by developing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and has created visuals for notable NBCUniversal events including CES 2025 and Symphony 2024.
Heer’s approach combines technical skill with cultural storytelling, influenced by her background and a commitment to human-centered design. Outside work, she enjoys thrifting art, photography, cooking, and fashion styling, nurturing a diverse creative perspective. Based in New York City, Heer continues to evolve her practice at the intersection of art, media, and commerce.
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