Balancing AI and Traditional Artmaking: Investigating whether AI supports or diminishes hands-on artistic experiences

Abstract

This study explored how art students balanced AI and traditional artmaking and whether AI supported or diminished traditional hands-on artistic experiences. A case study design was employed, and twelve visual communication students from a public university were purposively selected. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that AI enhanced and accelerated the creative process by supporting ideation, concept development, and technical decision-making, while traditional artistic skills remained essential for refining, contextualizing, and adding originality to final artworks, highlighting a complementary relationship between AI and human creativity. Although AI improved efficiency in art making, it could lead to overreliance, potentially reducing originality and manual skill development, emphasizing the need for balanced integration alongside traditional artistic practices. AI could not fully provide the originality, emotional expression, and personal connection fostered through traditional manual methods, underscoring the importance of maintaining authenticity, uniqueness, and expressive depth.